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Original poster

Maintenance in lump sum

18 replies

SplunkPostGres · 25/09/2021 13:34

Ex Husband offering to pay this years maintenance (CMS calculated) by lump sum. Saying he puts it aside out of his bonus and will be easier than remembering to pay it each month(?!)

No I know interest rates are terrible at the moment, but I can’t think why anyone would do this. Surely you’d want to keep the money at your disposal for as long as poss? It’s more than 10k but less than 15k, if that’s relevant.

I can’t think of why he would want to do this, but I’m sure it’s not entirely altruistic. Thoughts?

OP posts:
Purplewithred · 25/09/2021 13:35

Is he expecting a pay rise during the year that would affect his CMS payments?

Palavah · 25/09/2021 13:37

Neutral reasons:
It's easier admin-wise
He needs to reduce his deposits for some reason.

Nice reasons:
It makes cashflow easier for you

Not nice reasons:
He's expecting a pay rise and doesn't want to pass it on.

Original poster
SplunkPostGres · 25/09/2021 13:38

That’s what I was thinking but I wouldn’t know anyway until next year’s appraisal, and they’d pick up on the HMRC tax return?

Part of me is thinking don’t overthink this, but something seems wrong here. Surely you’d just set up a standing order right?

OP posts:
Original poster
SplunkPostGres · 25/09/2021 13:42

Would assets affect liability for Uni support? He has another child from first marriage. If so, that makes sense, i.e he reduces his total assets and then still claims the maintenance as a liability.

OP posts:
Rummikub · 25/09/2021 13:46

Take it.
Ex’s have a tendency to stop paying.

The only reason to not take it as lump sum if it affects your benefits.

Ohwinter9 · 25/09/2021 13:49

Assists have no impact on uni support…..

it might be easier for him to pay it all at once.
Given how much he must earn I presume it’s court ordered rather then CMS as I know with high wages they don’t get involved

Original poster
SplunkPostGres · 25/09/2021 13:56

I’m not on benefits. I did consider whether this will push me over the child benefit threshold, but it shouldn’t as maintenance is untaxed income.

It is still CMS rather than court ordered as he is just below the £3k a week boundary where you can apply to the court for maintenance payments.

OP posts:
bridgeofslides · 25/09/2021 13:56

I would be overjoyed in my situation because it would lift my deposit for next house right up! I would be suspicious about it being done to get around something else but gift horses n all. Least you know you got it

Original poster
SplunkPostGres · 25/09/2021 14:09

House deposit may be why he’s doing it now, and hasn’t previously, despite always paying the maintenance from his bonus. I’ve just completed on a house with a five year fixed term mortgage. Maybe he didn’t want to boost my deposit.

It will be a relief to have it there as I’ve depleted savings buying the house and will be an emergency buffer until I build them back up. You know when you just don’t trust them? You get to know what kind of a person someone is when you divorce them, and you never really forget it.

OP posts:
bridgeofslides · 25/09/2021 14:24

I completely relate op - but if it works well for you I wouldn't over think it

TurnUpTurnip · 25/09/2021 20:09

I would take it

FabulousIAm · 25/09/2021 20:30

£10,000?!!! There is something really wrong with CMS payments - should be based on each child non resident parent has, as in pay at least £1000 a month per child you have no matter how many other children you have. That's great that you get so much per year. I get £1000 per year which is ridiculous as if I paid that much towards what my child needs I'd be arrested. Is there some kind of group that is looking to change the law towards child maintenance because it's shit.

mneters · 25/09/2021 21:16

It could be perhaps he is trying to buy a house himself? DH pays similar in maintenance and I've always thought of that isn't taken into consideration we could afford a house and how we could possibly get round it eg paying a lump sum and then there's no statements showing maintenance every month - not that we would ever do this but the thought has crossed my mind...

GettingItOutThere · 26/09/2021 21:27

take it! 1000% !!

Aimee1987 · 27/09/2021 09:29

@mneters

It could be perhaps he is trying to buy a house himself? DH pays similar in maintenance and I've always thought of that isn't taken into consideration we could afford a house and how we could possibly get round it eg paying a lump sum and then there's no statements showing maintenance every month - not that we would ever do this but the thought has crossed my mind...
This is my thought. My mortgage broker said he pays his maintenance out of a seperate account in his sons name so it doesnt show up on his statements. In doing this you could leave the non resident child off as a dependent increasing your size of mortgage. He suggested we could do the same but we opted not to.
bigbaggyeyes · 27/09/2021 09:56

Has he ever been abusive, financially abusive. I think a lot depends on what type of person he is, if he's just a bit of a twat and that's the reason you're not together then id say take it. If he's manipulative then there might be another reason.

But what happens if he loses his job halfway through the year? Would he expect you to pay part of it back? It's something that you'd need to consider.

SeasonFinale · 27/09/2021 10:06

@Aimee1987 I would change brokers if that one has admitted he participates in mortgage fraud.

DebbieHarrysCheekbones · 27/09/2021 10:39

He earns just under 3k a WEEK but you get less than 15 k a year maintenance?

How many children ?
That doesn’t add up

My ex earns a just over third of that a week but he’s supposed to pay me £800 a month for three kids

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