Child custody

[French5]

My ex is trying to blackmail me into closing my Child maintenance case as he has been underpaying me and will now have to pay more. He is saying that if they make him pay more he will go to court for 50/50 access so that he doesn't have to pay me anything. He pays me so little now that it won't really make a difference but can he force 50/50 care? My daughter is 15 btw and doesn't want to go to his anymore than she already does (12 nights a month) but he may try bribing her!

He's a twat for threatening it, if he doesn't genuinely want to see her more...

Ultimately your DD will be asked what she wants, so depends what she says.

If she goes more your expenses will go down proportionally but make it clear to both of them that you would pay 50% of everything she needs so if he's known to be tightfisted she'll realise what side her bread is buttered. If he's not then it's all fine, and their relationship might improve.

As your daughter is 15 it is unlikely the court would force her to spend more time with him if she doesn't want to.

He won't be able to force 50/50 but he's pretty much doing 50/50 anyway if he has her 12 nights per month.