CMS collect and pay

[northshore]

Hi, can anyone advise what might happen in this situation please. We are divorced and currently our son (12) lives 50/50 with each of us. From November he is spending more time with Dad, something like 70:30 which means I will be paying ex maintenance. I am perfectly prepared and willing to pay but ex wants to use the CMS collect and pay service as he says "he doesn't trust me" - he wants me to be forced into paying the extra 20% as part of his plan of making my life as difficult as possible as he was never happy about being divorced. So I suppose I am saying will CMS listen to me when I explain this - and I can prove I've paid him - surely they will? Feeling worried

You would have to default on direct pay in order for cms to switch your claim to collect and pay, your ex cant just demand it. As long as you pay on time you should have no problem.

They make you start with direct pay - if you default then you go to collect and pay.
Set up a standing order / direct debit on the day they tell you too and you'll be fine :-)
Even if you miss the payment you have 5 days to make it.

I'm currently on this and my ex always pays late - sometimes by weeks and they haven't put him on collect and pay yet even though there is history of bad paying and previously had deductions from work x

Thanks, that sounds a bit more reassuring. Are there charges for using Direct Pay?

Only the 20 pounds cms take when you register with them. As your ex is making the claim he will be liable for this.

Sorry, another question - my ex wants to see my payslips as he says he doesn't trust me - I don't really want to share them with him - if we use Direct Pay, does that mean I don't need to show him them - would I just be showing them to CMS instead? thank you.

All payslips would be through cms. Don't show him anything.

If the cms are dealing with it, just refer any questions from him back to them. It makes life so much easier.

@northshore
No chargers for direct pay.
No you don't show him anything - ever - you give the cms your details etc. They will then send you the bank details for you ex that you need to pay into

For someone who sounds very controlling why is your child going to have increased time there? ..... Do not show him your payslips . Tell him you will only pay direct into bank account so you have evidence that you have paid.

Starlight - he's chosen this himself. Will be 13 in a few weeks. I don't think there is much I can do to prevent it.