Father refusing child maintenance - lives off inheritance

[starrynight009]

Hi all,

I'm hoping someone has been in this situation and has done something about it so can advise.

My ex decided he didn't want any part in raising our daughter but did agree to pay me £200 a month child maintenance which he has been paying. So it wasn't much but it was one thing.

Only I was told by him a couple of days ago that he's downsizing his house to pay for his elderly mum's care so he can now only pay me £100 a month. CMS can't do anything as he doesn't work, he lives off inheritance money and owns his house outright so doesn't need to work...according to him. But he equally can't afford to pay me what he agreed anymore either...according to him. Whereas I work as a solo parent and rent a house, so there's a big difference in our financial situations.

Does anyone know what would happen if I go down the legal route? Would I be entitled to a percentage of his savings and assets to use for our daughter's upbringing? Or can I literally do nothing because he doesn't want to work?

we’re you ever married? Someone has some info here.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/lone_parents/4915414-will-child-maintenance-take-inheritance-into-consideration

Nothing.
my ex doesn’t pay any maintenance for our children because he rents out the rooms in his house and doesn’t work. Child maintenance aren’t interested and they won’t be interested here either. I would take the £100 better than nothing.

You won't get anything through CMS but could explore a Schedule 1 Children Act claim for financial provision for a child if he has quite considerable assets.

You would really need specialist advice and representation for this.