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Original poster

Can MP help with child maintenance

16 replies

AnotherDayInParadise43 · 10/02/2025 19:25

Has anyone successfully gone over/outside the child maintenance process, with successful results? For example to an MP. Or used a private investigator to gather proof? (or both)

Reports from parliamentary discussions in recent years would have you believe the agency has teeth, is pursuing parents who play games. My experience reflects the opposite - ex is well off but finding ways to hide money. Nothing I say seems to result in willingness from CM to genuinely look into his earnings.

At the same time I don't feel I just want to walk away, my children deserve better. The difference between what he's paying and could reasonably pay is significant. I don't know how he's hiding the money exactly though.

I see so many posts on here where a woman posts something similar but gets little response or none, so not holding out any huge hope but it's worth a try. If you know how to work the system to get a fair outcome please tell me?

OP posts:
NosyJosie · 10/02/2025 23:18

I can’t see that an MP would be able to help in any way shape or form.

fashionqueen0123 · 10/02/2025 23:19

I would. I heard some guff on the tv the other day where some of them said they would take driving licenses if needed! Yeah right! I’d email them now.

fannyphlaxis · 10/02/2025 23:24

my mp (and his predecessor) have both been great. managed to get cms to 'find' thousands in unpaid maintenance that they wrote off without my consent and he is currently helping me find out what's going on with the tribunal as i am struggling. he snap said it was the second most common issue that he gets contacted about. the more we contact mp's the better chance of change for those that agree the current system is a shit show

fannyphlaxis · 10/02/2025 23:28

he *has said. no idea where snap came from!

Burntt · 11/02/2025 00:00

Wow I did not know MP could help with this! Good shout OP I'm taking note of this

WellsAndThistles · 11/02/2025 00:04

MP's have contacts higher up the chain of command and your case could be reviewed by a more experienced senior manager. Nothing to lose by asking for help.

TickingKey46 · 11/02/2025 10:29

I think a lot of it depends on how he's hiding his money. Is he self employed?
I believe it's all down to whast someone earns, rather than what they own, if that makes sence.

Original poster
AnotherDayInParadise43 · 11/02/2025 11:51

He's a high earner (salary in region of £150k), but I suspect is now paid in a way that can be hidden by an accountant. CM simply ask for payslips from the accountant, those say he is on minimum wage. They don't look at his bank accounts, lifestyle or anything else. A while ago my case was referred internally within CM for an 'investigation' but that unit of CM asked him for the same proof. If I can't get them to look into it further they will simply close the case.

Articles online talk about CM having lots of powers but my experience in practise isn't supporting that view. Or if they have those powers they aren't using them. I feel like they are just a big bureaucracy, probably a costly one but sceptical about whether they actually 'do' anything.

At one point ex offered me a monthly payment directly, but CM advice was I didn't need to accept and they could clarify a truthful picture so I waited but they haven't done that. Now he has been told he doesn't need to pay anything at all. I wish I hadn't listened to them, my children are worse off than they otherwise would be.

If I knew where to find a good private investigator I'd look into that. No idea where to start. Sounds like the MP might be a good next step thank you.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 11/02/2025 12:01

I know one or two people who have had excellent support from their MP. Mine was utterly useless. Embarrassingly so. Made all the right noises which led to me spending a considerable amount of my time collating information for him. Didn't even get an acknowledgment. I actually went to see him at his "surgery". A career MP with zero interest in his constituents. Still irritates me 🤬

ARichtGoodDram · 11/02/2025 12:06

You need a variation and CMS are always reluctant to do it. Some MPs can be really good at getting them to pull their fingers out.

It's really worth a try.

curlyblonde · 11/02/2025 16:02

MPs' staff have access to special helplines for cases like this so they can bypass the waiting for hours on the end of the phone. If they get no joy they can also write directly to the relevant government minister to get action taken. It is definitely worth contacting your MP.

Theunamedcat · 11/02/2025 16:13

I would try anything! Honestly my conservative MP was brilliant in helping me deal with the local authority over my sons EHCP renewal and school place he shocked me because he doesn't seem to get involved with anything meaningful locally (but still always elected) him and his wife put pressure on the right departments suddenly everything is moving many apologies for not doing the ehcp renewal (for 12 months) even though they were still paying on it 🙄

Original poster
AnotherDayInParadise43 · 12/02/2025 15:57

My MP is relatively new, no idea what they're like yet.

Anyone who can bypass the phone lines though, would be amazing. Countless times I've been in hold for an hour or more, or just got through then had the line cut for no reason and had to start again. It's maddening.

OP posts:
Crazyducklady · 24/02/2025 00:59

fashionqueen0123 · 10/02/2025 23:19

I would. I heard some guff on the tv the other day where some of them said they would take driving licenses if needed! Yeah right! I’d email them now.

And on of my most recent calls with the about getting my feckless ex to pay they told me that removal of passports, licenses and actual jail terms is a bluff that they (CMS) can’t enforce 😡

ARichtGoodDram · 24/02/2025 02:34

And on of my most recent calls with the about getting my feckless ex to pay they told me that removal of passports, licenses and actual jail terms is a bluff that they (CMS) can’t enforce 😡

That's nonsense - they have to get a court order but they absolutely can push for those things to happen.

There are also multiple other steps they can take prior to those - one off payment from bank accounts (no court order required), putting a charge on property, sending bailiffs to seize goods to the value of debt owed...

They can do a lot. They just don't often have the will to bother.

Some MPs are very good at putting a rocket up them. I briefly worked on the team that dealt with MP enquiries (i worked there briefly and I was "too aggressive" with non payers (I did things like not agree another extension for someone who hadn't paid for four years...) so was shunted there as they did work those cases)

beachcitygirl · 24/02/2025 02:56

My ex drives a Maserati apparently owned by his 24 year old gf who works in boots part time.
He is self employed and writes any old shit on his tax return. He owes me over 18k - I'll never see it. My MP is my pal & has moved heaven & earth. Toothless and useless are bywords for cms

Oh and while I'm
Here men & (new wives) who think themselves or their husbands princes amongst men for paying the bare fucking minimum can go eff off & when they get there they should eff off from
There.

ANY woman who take up
With a man not providing properly r his kids is worse than him. Sadly I've learned to expect this from
Men. I expect (stupidly ) better from

Women.

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