Collect and pay vs private arrangement

[BLOOMINTIRED]

Evening all.

It seems I've had a rare CMS experience, when I applied we were put straight on Collect and Pay.

A few months later he asked if we could change to a private arrangment, cutting the payment by 1/3. I refused this request.

Now that the annual review has come around he's asking to move to a private arrangement again as he earned more and the payments have increased. I haven't heard from him in many many months and kids don't see him (their choice).

He's claiming that the payment is causing him financial hardship and I'm now feeling bad despite him being a high earner.

Is there any benefit to moving to a private agreement? Would I be shooting myself in the foot if I agree to it? I worry as he has failed to show consistency to date...

Thanks in advance!

I asked for Collect and Pay when I originally applied after my EXDP refused to pay an appropriate amount for our DC. However CMS said no, and that he had to go on Direct Pay first. They would only move to Collect and Pay if he missed 2 payments, and I could prove it. Funny enough EXDP has never missed a payment since being put on CMS 🤣🤣🤣

I suspect your EX wants to switch to Direct Pay so a) his pay rise isn't taken into account, and b) he plans to skip a payment here and there.

I wouldn't voluntarily come off Collect and Pay if I were you so I'd tell him no, and carry on with your life as you are.

Thanks @Starseeking

I've had a message this morning from CMS stating my payments are going down so he's been successful in challenging their calculations.

It's not by much but he'll keep trying, I've had numerous letters about his (unsuccessful) applications for variations over the last year.

I'm guessing he ignored them when they got in touch so he went straight onto Collect and pay - I was able to provide enough of his employment details for everything to be set up and to be receiving payments within 2 months - it's been a relatively painless experience.

Our life is so much more peaceful without the regular contact, the kids are so much happier and after a lot of thought, I'd rather not have to be chasing him up🙃