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Original poster

Has anyone done the REMO route for child maintenance?

393 replies

Legaldispair · 08/01/2023 09:57

So my ex husband is suppose to pay child maintenance, paid the minimum for a few years and last year I noticed CMS were using old information to work out what he should pay me as his salary had trebled and they have never recalculated, to cut a long story short I have a hearing soon about this as he continued to dispute it and HE took it to tribunal. THEN on top of that he moved to New York… has always threatened it, and has paid nothing for a year as he ‘doesn’t know what he is supposed to pay as there are no rules’ due to the fact him and myself are both UK citizens. Not even paying a contribution amount and not even bothering to look into it so I have had no choice but to go down the REMO route. Those papers have only just gone off to then as it took 6 months just to get these papers (CMS were dicking around in the mean time and not helping with this) so he owes me aLOT of money in under payments which I know America won’t be interested in and he hasn’t paid me for a year… has anyone actually had any success with the Remo route? I’m slowly running out of any positivity. I can’t afford legal help so I’m on my own.

can anyone share this experiences with me please? Anything I need to know that they don’t tell you etc?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
BePoisedLeader · 17/09/2024 17:35

Oh wow @serrina how absolutely frustrating. I recall the UK child maintenance advising me if my sons father was to apply to them here, then he would get a nil amount as he is unable to use the service as a non UK citizen. Maybe that is it? Imagine a non paying or as little responsibility as possible parent, getting this amount through their post...my gosh

My update

I contacted remo again and they informed that the notification they received was advising that the USA are considering my application which could have any number of outcomes.

i think I may contact the central agency directly again. Goodness me the timeliness of this process is HORRIFIC

Serrina · 18/09/2024 10:34

@BePoisedLeader sorry I meant they've put the payment history down as nil, not the amount he has to pay. The amount he has to pay hasn't been decided yet.

Serrina · 18/09/2024 18:26

I called Remo today and was told not to call them again!! What else am I supposed to do?!

Sunchi · 18/09/2024 20:08

@Serrina That means you are getting to them! Good. It's their god dam job to answer your questions and to tell you not to call again is downright outrageous. Years ago when I was making my claim, I remember speaking to a woman at REMO who failed to look at my paperwork to give me an answer my question. It seems like they are still doing it. Shocking.

Have you made a complaint against them, as I would? (Sorry, can't remember if you had). Have you tried your MP? They are also there to help you as you are their constituent.

Sunchi · 18/09/2024 20:11

@BePoisedLeader Well, that's the job of the US state to consider your paperwork, isn't it. Well, at least you had some kind of response. However, if you can, I'd be calling the US myself to get a more direct answer.

There are some apps apparently which allow you to call the US free of charge and another mum mentioned one where you could check up on your ex.

JulesF1 · 13/10/2024 21:42

is there an update? I’m currently thinking about REMO

Okapimum · 14/10/2024 07:09

@JulesF1
No real updates on my case. My suggestion is for you to start your application as soon as you can. If you haven’t contacted them yet, then contact them now - as it will take at least 2 months or so for you to receive the forms to fill out.
Also, some countries have a rule that your claim can only be backdated a certain number of years (from the time the application is processed there and received a case number, assuming you already have an court order in place). For Spain, I was told it’s 3 years.

Sunchi · 14/10/2024 15:39

@JulesF1 Yes, don't delay as the whole process takes time and if you haven't completed your paperwork correctly, they send it back to you to rectify. It seems like it's taking them at least 5 months just to send your paperwork abroad.

JulesF1 · 14/10/2024 18:34

Hi again

I was receiving payment via CMS via deduction of earnings, paying parent works for a global company and works between here and USA. He asked for DOE to be removed and put onto direct pay. I asked them not to do this but they went ahead. As soon as it was removed he went to USA and I have received a letter saying his earnings are under £7 - so looks like he’s moved to USA payroll.

I don’t think he is there permanently- and there is no order in place due to CMS involvement.

He earns over £160k salary so his monthly payments were high, also included arrears- he still owes me £10k arrears.

im not sure whether to go to REMO as this will mean the CmS claim is closed - I’ll lose the £10k arrears and the system won’t be flagged if he re enters uk and starts paying tax

Sunchi · 16/10/2024 19:46

@JulesF1 Hi, yes, if you make a REMO claim they will close your CMS claim as CMS has no jurisdiction in the US. You can ask CMS to give you a liability order for the arrears which will then be sent to REMO (or they send it to you to send to REMO). So, as far as I am aware, you won't lose the arrears unless the US state (do you know which state he is residing in?) won't accept them. Different states have different policies, procedures and timelines.

The UK may not be flagged if he returns, however, if he no longer resides in the US, they should alert REMO to this. As an example, my ex moved from Germany back to Sweden. I knew this but had to wait until the German authorities confirmed that he had moved out of the country.

JulesF1 · 17/10/2024 19:07

That’s really helpful, thank you… I’ll ask for the order then start the REMO process

Sunchi · 17/10/2024 21:17

@ClemeHi, I've seen your thread on another part of Mumsnet. As you can see there is a lot of info on here about making a claim for child support through REMO. I also have a FB group called Get Child Maintenance from Abroad (REMO)

JulesF1 · 18/10/2024 06:28

Thanks, I’ve asked to join your group

Sunchi · 18/10/2024 17:42

@JulesF1 I wouldn't delay in contacting REMO as they are notorious for their slowness in responding. If you contact them, let them know the country your ex now lives in and the ages of your children. It took another mum weeks to get the appropriate forms. You can ask the CMS for a liability order at the same time.

Serrina · 28/10/2024 14:32

@Sunchi I just received this email from the MEBC. Any idea what this could mean?
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your email, we have only just received correspondence to inform us there is a hearing to be held tomorrow within the USA at 9 am [USA time].
They have not stated for you to attend, nor provided details for you to attend via zoom. We have been informed either the State Attorney or one of their assistants will appear to speak to the Judge during this hearing.
We will update you as required once we have received any further information.
Regards

Sunchi · 31/10/2024 11:02

@Serrina I hope I answered this on my FB page?

Alicia24 · 07/11/2024 13:10

Hello there... please I am writing to make enquiries on how to get my ex who had just left the UK to Canada to pay child support as he's stopped paying. He has abandoned our child with me and I am struggling financially as my income is not enough. Please, how do I go about contacting REMO or making application to get him to pay. Child maintenance services (CMS) assessed and calculated what he was to pay before he left for Canada. Please how do I go about this, help a struggling mother.

Alicia24 · 07/11/2024 13:55

Sunchi · 17/10/2024 21:17

@ClemeHi, I've seen your thread on another part of Mumsnet. As you can see there is a lot of info on here about making a claim for child support through REMO. I also have a FB group called Get Child Maintenance from Abroad (REMO)

Please how do I make application to REMO?
I have no idea how to go about it.
Please guide me on how to go about it like a child.

Okapimum · 07/11/2024 17:26

@Alicia24
I’m sorry to hear you are struggling.
The first step is to contact the MEBC. You’ll find all the info you need here: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-if-one-parent-lives-abroad/other-partner-lives-abroad
They will check you are eligible and send you a bunch of forms to fill out. You fill them out the best you can, send it back to them and wait. It may take a few weeks for you to get the forms, and then a few weeks to hear back from them. But after that, it’s a long process… you’ll need to be patient. I started mine 3 years ago (Spain), and the paying parent has just been notified… so the sooner you start, the better.

Child maintenance if a parent lives abroad

What to do if you need to get child maintenance and one of the parents lives abroad.

https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-if-one-parent-lives-abroad/other-partner-lives-abroad

UKmama78 · 20/12/2024 15:13

Hi all!

18 months later, I finally get a video link to court for USA re child maintenance for my child. Not received anything for 5 years now.

has anyone done a court video link? What can I expect and how long does this usually take?

Many thanks!

VegTrug · 20/12/2024 15:43

I've no idea what REMO is. Is that just for those of us with a paying parent who is abroad?

Ewelina1326 · 09/01/2025 23:49

He own you or yours children LOT of money?

Ewelina1326 · 09/01/2025 23:51

Okapimum · 07/11/2024 17:26

@Alicia24
I’m sorry to hear you are struggling.
The first step is to contact the MEBC. You’ll find all the info you need here: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-if-one-parent-lives-abroad/other-partner-lives-abroad
They will check you are eligible and send you a bunch of forms to fill out. You fill them out the best you can, send it back to them and wait. It may take a few weeks for you to get the forms, and then a few weeks to hear back from them. But after that, it’s a long process… you’ll need to be patient. I started mine 3 years ago (Spain), and the paying parent has just been notified… so the sooner you start, the better.

.....

Sunchi · 11/01/2025 09:40

@VegTrug Yes, REMO is for families where the other parent lives abroad.

Sunchi · 11/01/2025 09:47

@UKmama78 hi there, congratulations you have finally got your paperwork to the US and it is being dealt with! This is huge!. Just out of curiosity, which state in the US does your ex live in? Have you joined my Facebook group dedicated to REMO families? (4) Get Child Maintenance From Abroad (REMO) | Facebook There are quite a few parents on there where the other parent is in the US. For some states like Michigan, this is just a formality and they have a 'friend of the court' who is there to assist you, whilst for others it seems like it's a more formal process. For a proper court process, a legal representative from REMO should be representing you. I would suggest contacting them and asking them what to expect during the video link. It may be so that they just want to confirm it's you and that your paperwork is still current.