How much child maintenance.

[saman72]

I separated from my husband a couple of months ago, and we are trying to keep it amicable. He has let me and the two children stay in the family home (which we have a mortgage for at £330 per month). He earns between £340-£520 take home, per week. I am getting £10 jobseekers per week, £97 child tax credit, £33 child benefit, and the council tax paid. I have now started a part-time job earning £60 per week.
My question is, what do you think he should be paying in child maintenance for the 2 kiddies? Im not asking to get more, but just to make sure I dont take to much. Its difficult what with the mortgage, as I am gaining from living here, but when the kids move out, and we sell, he will get half the profits. So should his maintenance payments, reflect paying some of the mortgage, or not, as I get to live here, and he has to pay £400 rent per month at his rented home. The CSA site doesnt help, as it doesnt mention shared mortgages. Thanks for any help.....

It sounds as if you have already looked at the CSA website re maintenance for the children. I was recently told at solicitors that while husbands name was on the mortgage he should pay half the monthly mortgage fee.

Don't under estimate how expensive it is to raise children - you will need every penny of child maintenance for them.

Would suggest you speak to a solicitor most offer half or one hour free to find out legal position re shared mortgage, assets and long term finances, just so you know where you stand. You maybe entitled to legal aid should you need to go down the legal route

You say he is letting you stay in the house with the children, dont think of this as a kind gesture as he is leaving you to deal with the responsibility of his children single handed and it is tough and challenging when you do this alone day in day out. Not meaning to be pessamistic just stating the reality.

If children are young it is better to have all finances in place on a formal setting as you will have many years of needing maintenance for them and he maybe willing to pay currently, but what about when circumstances change for either of you?

Hope this helps sure others will be along with their advice soon. It will get better :)

I'm divorced now and my husband and I have been apart for almost 2 years. At the beginning, when he was working, my solicitor told me that he should be paying 25% of his net monthly income. I think this figure is pretty standard but I'd definitely use your 'free half hour' slot to get clarification.

Unfortunately, my ex decided to resign from his job 14 months ago to train in a new profession, and hasn't worked since - so no maintenance for my three children and we're seriously struggling (my mortgage is well over £600 per month and I earn £480). Thank goodness for Tax Credits is all I can say.

Good luck, hope you get sorted soon.

Oh, and should also add, I have (thanks to a massive financial 'gift' from my parents) bought him out, so this house is now in my name. However in the 13 odd months after separation that he was named on the mortgage, he didn't help with the monthly payments, and my solicitor at no point implied that he should.