Has anyone found CMS to be any better? In my personal experience no, except now we pay for the privilige.
In a nutshell, exp has never had much interest in his child. Very early on I gave CSA his details, he denied living at that address. They did NOTHING. It took around three years of constant badgering them, and the hire of a private detective for me to prove to them he indeed lived where I said he lived! Then after they had calculated everything, he didn't pay (as I knew he wouldn't). They gave him numerous chances before they finally put a deduction of earnings order in place.
The case was transferred to Child Maintenance Service some years ago and I had to go through the whole process again. I told them he wouldn't pay and that was the reason the deduction of earnings order was in place but again, they said they had to give him a chance. Obviously he didn't pay a penny.
They set it up again but it's hit and miss. Sometimes his employers just dont send it, giving no reasons. I call and complain but they dont seem to contact his employers, they're pretty relaxed about it in a "let's see what next month brings" kind of way.
Consequently, he owes me thousands. I've received a letter from them saying they're going to write off his debt despite the fact the deduction of earnings order is still in place and i've received a "regular maintenance" (I use the term loosely) payment on the same day as the letter!
I'm furious..how is this in any way fair? Where are all these so called powers they have to recover the debt? They knew from day one he'd be difficult yet they pissed around for months/years and the debt is their fault in the first place!
Why is it always SUCH a struggle with them?