Child maintenance for a step child

[Day17]

Tricky one - I have an appointment with my divorce lawyers next week but wondered if someone on here could give me an idea of what to expect.

I divorced my husband 18 months ago and had to ‘pay him off’ - over 7 figures plus a house.

We have 3 children together and he has a daughter from a previous relationship. Our divorce agreement stated that I would pay the school fees for our three children but there was no maintenance agreement for them. It also stated that he would meet all costs relating to my stepdaughter (so school fees and anything else).

My stepdaughter is living with me full time and he’s refusing to contribute towards her at all. He hasn’t even paid his half of the Xmas present we jointly agreed to buy her and I suspect he never intended to.

He doesn’t work - so has no income - just the divorce money. I think there’s less than a quarter of that left. His much younger girlfriend of less than a year (I say much younger only because I’m sure there will be a baby on the way soon which I believe will be relevant to this) is moving in with him along with her two young children this weekend.

Can I realistically do anything to force him to contribute towards my step-daughter? Is it still a CMS situation (that I understand will be nigh on hopeless because of his refusal to work)?!

Thank you.

An unusual situation.
No Mum on the scene?
Do you have PR for your stepdaughter?
I wonder if you would be eligible for some funding as a foster type arrangement? You're only related by marriage presumably, which you are in the process of ending yet are the full time carer for this child? Not something I know anything about really but maybe worth looking into.
Presumably SD wants to stay with you?.

She hasn’t spent a night with her Mum for around 3 years, possibly more. They text occasionally and meet at her maternal grandparents house occasionally - maybe twice a year.

I do / did have PR but she’s nearly 17 and I think PR ceases to be a thing at 16 (I may be wrong)?

Yep, she wants to stay here. He’s vile to her.

I’m happy to have her and able to fund her but feel strongly he should be contributing towards her of not the other three children we share. The divorce money was handed over in part so he could care for his children - all 4 of them. And it’s not happening on any level at all which is infuriating!

And yep, I do know I’m likely going to have to swallow hard and rise above it 😏

Shouldn't her mum also be paying some form of maintenance?

Could you apply to adopt her? I know this is only possible up until 18

Poor girl, I am sure you make her feel loved and wanted, dont underestimate the importance of that to her welfare, now and in the future

Well, he sounds rank. No advice but good luck.

You paid him a seven-figure (1,000,000) sum. What do you expect to get from an unemployed man? It would be a few pounds a week.

You should apply to the CMS against both parents. He will be assumed to have an 8% return on any ininvested cash.

You could also apply to the court for a school fees order and for a lump sum order to meet unmet historic school fees.

Christ your step daughters a lucky girl to have you.

I would apply for CMS against dad and mum tbh. You probably won't get any money but it's the principle of the thing.

Keep her safe and know your amazing ❤️

Your step daughter is lucky to have you. What an amazing women you are!

You could speak to child maintenance and yearly they will check if he has had any income at all and how much he should be paying. That's all I can think of 😞

Once again. So much respect for you, you should be very proud of yourself.