Child Benefits: ex does not want to split them

[Gertrudys]

Hi,
my ex is receiving the child benefits for our 5 years old boy since he was born but i just found out. We both are doing 50% of his care. He objects to share with me half of it.
Does anyone has had a similar experience? What was the outcome?
Grazie

How did you not know this?

Bit of a needlessly harsh response there, Polly

From a very quick websearch it looks as only 1 parent may claim child benefit. Are you doing an absolute 50/50 split? If so and there is only 1 child it might be difficult and I reckon you should go to citizens advice or seek legal advice. Or even try the legal boards on here?? It's a bit shitty to be claiming this for 5 years and not have told you!

Put in your own counter claim, they’ll generally then get in contact to do some investigating to decided who would be in receipt of them.

Have you never applied for CB @Gertrudys? cleverPolly was abrupt but I do see her point. It's been 5 years, did you assume you weren't entitled or did he lie?