CSA

[LittleSugaPlum]

Hi there, Ive just got married to a man who has two children by a ex partner. Im currently expecting out first baby together.

DH is self employed, and his business is terrible at the moment, hardly bringing in anything.

Im also self employed, and earn quite abit. We do not claim any benefits whatsoever.

Will the CSA take into consideration my wage?

No. The CSA calculation is based on the non resident parent's income only, not a new partner's/wife's income. When you have a child a percentage will be deducted from your husband's income before the usual child maintenance calculation so his payments will be reduced to allow for your child.

I know the law changed in 2003 (before that partners/wifes wages were calculated).

However i keep reading on the internet about CSA asking for your parters/wifes income etc, so i was wondering if the law had changed or was about to change?

No, the law has not changed nor is it about to change in this regard. The new system being introduced later this year is still based on the parent's income only. However, if the CSA believe the parent is hiding part of his or her income by diverting it to their partner they can take that into account. And there are still a lot of people on the old system for maintenance calculations.

The old system pre-2003 did take the new partner's income into account, but not in the main calculation to determine maintenance. Was only taken into account when calculating "protected income". (You really don't want to know).

protected income? whats that?

The level below which the income of a household shouldn't fall.