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Original poster

Child maintenance

78 replies

Chocpie · 12/07/2022 22:29

I just did the calculator simulation for the child maintenance and I'm shocked at how much I will get for 2 kids monthly from their dad based on his wages. It's like peanuts to me. How can it be so low?

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AnneLovesGilbert · 12/07/2022 22:30

It’s a percentage of his income. Sometimes that’s a lot and sometimes it’s peanuts.

Original poster
Chocpie · 12/07/2022 22:34

AnneLovesGilbert · 12/07/2022 22:30

It’s a percentage of his income. Sometimes that’s a lot and sometimes it’s peanuts.

That's fucked up!

OP posts:
FluffyFluffMonster · 12/07/2022 22:37

Not that it's a race to the bottom but my ex has gone self employed to get out of paying anything! The whole system is a fucking joke!! Be prepared to not receive anything if your ex is a twat.

GetThatHelmetOn · 12/07/2022 22:37

if you have not checked UC entitlement as yet do it at entitledto.co.uk. Maintenance alone is not enough unless you earn as much as your ex.

BiscoffSundae · 15/07/2022 12:05

Depends on your ex some get loads as their ex is a high earner some get as little as £7 as their ex is on benefits (my ex was assessed as having to pay zero!) I was told that maintenance is not suppose to be relied on.

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:13

Why is that fucked up?
It's always been calculated on a percentage of the dads income as he will also need money to have his own place for your children to visit

SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am · 15/07/2022 12:20

The idea that I only spend 16% of my income on my kids is a joke - yet that's the rate that a father who doesn't take any responsibility for his kids would pay.

(assuming he lives with no kids himself - ie. this is best case scenario - it only goes down from there)

Hatsoff5 · 15/07/2022 12:29

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:13

Why is that fucked up?
It's always been calculated on a percentage of the dads income as he will also need money to have his own place for your children to visit

But dad runs his own place as a single person, dad can work multiple jobs, dad is not working around school drop off/pick up, nor school holidays.

Can you not see how it's easier to earn a much higher living when your not the resident parent?

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:31

SunThroughTheCloudsAt6am · 15/07/2022 12:20

The idea that I only spend 16% of my income on my kids is a joke - yet that's the rate that a father who doesn't take any responsibility for his kids would pay.

(assuming he lives with no kids himself - ie. this is best case scenario - it only goes down from there)

But it isn't only 16% is it?
He also has to pay for a house and a safe space to take the children. He has to pay the bills for that place. He also has to pay for the food for when they live at his house and clothes etc.

I would prefer to know my children are going to a safe and clean house. Also that they are properly cared for and in clean clothes with nice meals on the table. Instead of him sending me more money just because but struggling to keep a roof over their head.

  • just my opinion
user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:34

@Hatsoff5 yes but if dad was working multiple jobs and had an increase income then the amount of maintenance would also increase.

I'm not saying for a second it's hard for the dad, but I agree with the percentage. As long as the payments are calculated fairly on actual income and not this "self employed" bullshit some dads do.

BiscoffSundae · 15/07/2022 12:34

That’s if your ex has contact, some exes don’t have contact through choice so not all have to provide somewhere for the kids to stay.

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:36

@BiscoffSundae my understanding is that the calculations take into consideration how many nights they have custody and this would also effect how much they pay.

Hatsoff5 · 15/07/2022 14:18

@user237363826 your original point was that dad "has his own place to run" what exactly were you implying then?

The amount of CMs doesn't just increase unless it goes up over a certain amount. My point was in response to yours about dad's living costs what an insult 🤣 if dad wants to pay less they can do more overnight stays...

Hatsoff5 · 15/07/2022 14:20

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:31

But it isn't only 16% is it?
He also has to pay for a house and a safe space to take the children. He has to pay the bills for that place. He also has to pay for the food for when they live at his house and clothes etc.

I would prefer to know my children are going to a safe and clean house. Also that they are properly cared for and in clean clothes with nice meals on the table. Instead of him sending me more money just because but struggling to keep a roof over their head.

  • just my opinion
Show quote history

Clothes? All the mothers I know pack their kids clothes. Honestly any excuse 🙄

BiscoffSundae · 15/07/2022 14:26

It’s the way you was writing like all fathers see their children. I have my children 100% of the time so no additional costs for the “father” so some of us it is only (or should be 😑 16%) and I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Original poster
Chocpie · 15/07/2022 16:08

BiscoffSundae · 15/07/2022 12:05

Depends on your ex some get loads as their ex is a high earner some get as little as £7 as their ex is on benefits (my ex was assessed as having to pay zero!) I was told that maintenance is not suppose to be relied on.

Damn that sucked

OP posts:
Original poster
Chocpie · 15/07/2022 16:16

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:13

Why is that fucked up?
It's always been calculated on a percentage of the dads income as he will also need money to have his own place for your children to visit

It is fucked up 16 % of father's income it's peanuts. Unless you live in care bear land. You barely do anything nowadays with that money.

OP posts:
weekendninja · 15/07/2022 16:24

Do you work OP? It's not just the responsibility of the DF to provide.

He needs a place that will accommodate the DC too.

Original poster
Chocpie · 15/07/2022 16:27

weekendninja · 15/07/2022 16:24

Do you work OP? It's not just the responsibility of the DF to provide.

He needs a place that will accommodate the DC too.

I do and I also need a place to accommodate the DC and clothes for them and good to feed them and heating to keep them warm and water to bath them etc...

OP posts:
weekendninja · 15/07/2022 16:40

Sounds like you need to earn more then OP.

One thing I discovered was to not rely on anything from my ex. They can change their circumstances at any time.

CaroleFuckingBaskin · 15/07/2022 16:45

How old are your dc? How many hours do you work? How will the childcare be split?

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 18:09

@Hatsoff5
My friends SS gets picked up from school in his uniform with no other clothes and gets sent home in clothes from the dads house.

If he is ever in mums clothes, she sends him in old clothes that don't fit. Don't blame her as she probably wants to keep the nice clothes for herself but they have to pay for clothes that fit.

Every story is different.

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 18:13

@Chocpie ok so what percentage do you think you should receive?

Original poster
Chocpie · 15/07/2022 18:26

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 18:13

@Chocpie ok so what percentage do you think you should receive?

Look that will not even cover the canteen, after school club, holiday school club, activities like football, gymnastics, swimming that they do when off school. Do you actually have kids? Wtf do you do with 16% of a wages? I don't feed my kids crap frozen foods. I cook for them fresh. All that has a cost

OP posts:
BoJoGoGoGo · 15/07/2022 18:42

How much is it?