Thinking of using CSA - will my ex be made aware he is under investigation?

[TurquoiseHeart]

My ex pays me £180 per month child support for our 4 year old daughter.

I have absolutely no way of knowing for sure how much he actually earns as I can't trust what he tells me is the truth. He claims he pays what the CSA recommends for his income but I am sceptical. He lives in a large 2 bedroom flat in an affluent part of town (where the rental price for a two bedroom flat is on average almost double what I pay for my 2 bed place in a rather less posh part). He also manages to dress well, go out a lot, go on holidays etc.

I am thinking of turning to the CSA and asking them to investigate him, I understand they can check his income direct with his employer etc. But tbh I wouldn't want him to know that I have put this claim against him until/unless it is has been established that he has been underpaying me. We really don't get on and I really don't want him to get arsey about it, particularly if it is seen that he has been paying me the correct amount.

TIA for any help/advice

They will tell him. My DP pays over CSA minimum for his son, but she's recently gone to them because she thinks he has more. They phoned him first before they spoke to his employers. Is there any way of trying to find out what he might bring in cos I get it must be infuriating if you think he's hiding something.

The first thing the CSA will do is contact your ex to ask him his earnings and for him to supply proof of such. The CSA will not be able to get any information from his employers without him knowing.

Sorry probably not what you wanted to hear.

If it helps, my DP is on 23k and CSA says he should pay £61 a week.

It won't be the csa now - can't remember the name of the new one. You have to pay £20 to start the process but after that they have three options. 1) they calculate and you sort out payments between you. 2) they calculate and you get paid directly but can call in the heavies if you don't get payments 3) they calculate and collect for a small fee - they have pretty hefty powers to get money out of the paying parent too. Whatever you decide to go with, your ex will have to be notified of any enquiry against him. Your options are to either trust him, let him know that you are considering it and hope that he comes clean (if he isn't) or go for it and set an official process in place.

Just be aware that if he happens to be overpaying you then you will end up worse off.

He will be underpaying. Unless he is going to show you payslips/tax returns, it's the only way to be clear that you receive a fair amount.