Child maintenance

[Chocpie]

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?

It’s that amount from the non-resident parent but the resident parent is expected to bear a share of the cost too.

It’s always going to be more expensive for a family once the parents need a home each, and so it’s normal that everyone’s lifestyle takes a bit of a hit.

And the other side to that is that he misses out on so much time with his children that the resident parent gets to enjoy.

If he uses the additional capacity to improve his wage then that’s reflected in extra child support.

How much do you earn?

@Chocpie babe relax it was a question as I'm not sure what percentage of his income you expect ?
Yes I have 2 children.

I would suggest trying to claim any benefits you are entitled to on top of your income and then budgeting within your own income. You wouldn't want to have financial issues if you include the maintenance money and he ever lost his job.

Also, many families struggle with 2 incomes and aren't able to send their children to gymnastics, football etc. If you can't afford it, you'll need to change your lifestyle or get a better paid job.

@GCHeretic no it isn't how much or when was the last time you claimed CMS?. The issue is the majority dad's don't do 50 percent of the school holidays or even close to that for the entire year. You have completely missed the point that dad's have many more options.... and why have you assumed mum isn't working full time or juggling night shifts?? This is personally something I did until very recently.

Don't assume that all mums want necessarily the "extra time" some of us would like a rest and also to indulge in a social life. I would take less money to have more ME time anyday of the week. That's not my choice though!

Even if dad earned £1900 a month he would pay around £269 per month. If he's short or a bit tight from taking the kids to the cinema EOW he can work more. Dad has the OPTION AVAILABLE 🙄

If he works more and his income increases then this total income would be used to calculate the maintenance payment. Therefore the mother gets more money?

@user237363826 NO it has to go over a certain amount. It works in tiers. However you have completely missed the points as you clearly are being V ignorant here. Did I ask dad to work more?? Or would mums prefer dad helped out more?

Your view is V one sided.

@Hatsoff5
Yes I understand that. So if he earns more money, the mother will also get an increased amount. Glad you confirmed that.

No babe I'm not being ignorant. This thread isn't about the fact you want to spend more time on your own and for the dad to look after the child more. This discussion is that the OP is disappointed with the amount of maintenance she will receive from the dad.

My view isn't one sided, your view is including your own issues.

So how much do you think that they should be paying?

@GCHeretic I never said dad should be paying more did I? Re read my posts. Being a parent isn't just about money.

@user237363826 says the 16% paying dad himself ha. I don't have any issues any longer I soon took my ex to court and made sure he did his fair share he too has a parental responsibility like myself. You are doing a lot of assuming and calling people "Babe" you sound like a fabulous dad yourself!

My ex has always paid me money however I choose to take him to CmS to make sure I was getting the correct amount depending on his earns going down/up.

But NRP has the freedom to earn more money by working extra hours...

No, being a parent isn’t only about money. It’s also about making as sure as you can that you don’t get pregnant by someone unsuitable who’s going to leave you bringing up your children alone.

@Hatsoff5
I'm a female, mother of 2 😂

That's great, I'm glad you are using the CMS service and getting exactly what he should be paying to you. It's a shame it took the court order to make him step up to his responsibilities.

Well didn't take long to blame women for bad men did it

When you can’t afford to do that on your own, the state steps in to help you. It’s help that’s given for the benefit of the child, so it subsidises both parents, even though it only goes through you.

Unless your ex has had a drastic reduction in income since you conceived your children then I’m not sure what you can expect.

@user237363826 I bet you are 😂. Its not a shame at all you don't know the ins and out. Your that busy being obtuse... step up to responsibility but you have just bypassed the dad doing childcare instead of paying extra money.. your laugable. Also you need to give it a rest with the "Babe" it's not cool.

The Courts are there for a reason and you and @GCHeretic seem all too happy to bypass that the resident parent has a lot more juggling to do if they work over time.
Your full of it telling OP to budget and get a better job BLIMEY! Your clearly both very privileged to be telling a stranger to get a better paid job!!

Ex pays less than £7 per week sees them less than 2 hours by HIS CHOICE works cash in hand occasionally lives in his girlfriends house or his mums so he has no housing costs drives a car given to him and paid for by his girlfriend all to keep money away from his children

And they were very much wanted children we used to be married but he has real issues with "paying me" for his children calls me a parasite

Oh please. Get off your high horse. There's no guarantees of anybody leaving or staying to raise your children. What type of shit parental view is that? Regardless of if you are together you have a moral obligation to your children... raise them.

I second you! As if it was that easy to find a better paid job anytime you want. Also yes the sole parent has totally more to juggle with and organise their life around children so the job has to fit around. People are so un considerate.

@Chocpie if you actually read my replies, I said you will need to adjust your lifestyle like everyone else would..... or get a better job.

That isn't being privileged, I'm not sure where else you expect the money to come from otherwise 😂😂

Millions of people are struggling with the increase of costs at the moment, so they will have to adjust their life style. It's pretty simple really.

@Chocpie the abuse poster has an answer to everything on this thread. Even sending your child in clothes to the other parents house that are too small.... its pis poor parenting and that what a friend the poster sounds.... sounds like his own "friend" needs to go to court because I've never heard of that before. What about the needs of the kid! The audacity to agree because the mum wants to save the clothes for best WTAF.

Adjust lifestyle to the point of not having a lifestyle because you have to live on so little due to a stupid government calculation that says your ex you should give you 16% of their wages for his kids. I still find it stupid. I'm not living a luxury lifestyle. I just want to feed and clothes my kids decently and take them to their activities. There nothing over the top here.

@Chocpie I haven't said your lifestyle is over the top or said anything against you. It sounds like you have provided a great life for you children and I'm sorry your relationship has broken down. I'm just trying to give some advice as you have said you won't be able to afford your life.

My only point is that I'm just not sure how much of his wages you would expect ?

Absolutely no idea what @Hatsoff5 is going on about at this point. (Plus how many times do I need to explain, I am female 😂😂😂)

I expect the all the costs related to the kids to be split in half. That would only be fair. And not some crap calculation that's not even relevant with the actual cost that is spent on the kids. 16% of the the ex wages that's bullshit.