A complicated CMS query

[Sweetchocolatecandy]

My partner has a daughter who has just turned 16, he obviously paid CM to her mother for her all of her life, however his daughter stopped speaking to him last year after a fall out (for reasons I don’t want to get into) but now basically she’s blanking him and won’t let him know whether she has gone into FE. He doesn’t have a good relationship with her mum so he can’t find out from her either. His family have tried messaging her as well but she’s just ignoring those messages too.

My question is how is he actually expected to find out what she is doing and whether he should keep paying? He has a private agreement with her mother so CMS are not involved.

I would just send a message to the mum saying he assumes she has finished education so he will be stopping paying unless he hears otherwise I bet she will reply pretty quickly if she thinks the money is stopping. Of course he shouldn't actually stop the money until he knows for definite.

Doesn't he want to support her no matter what she's doing? She's only 16.

He doesn't have to stop maintenance if she's not in education. She's still his daughter and can choose to continue supporting her.

Sorry, even if she’s not in FE he still wants to support her but would rather the money went into her own bank account, however if she is in FE the money will still need to go to her mother- the point is, we don’t know so would appreciate some advice as to how we can find out this info.

No idea but up to 18 min I’d still pay it to her mother. She’s still living there and eating, and being clothed by her mum.

Send a message as Babyroobs said.

Give a date, which is one month, after the message is sent for them to reply by.

However if they don't reply by that time stop payments as a parent isn't a cash machine. If they then reply pay any back payments immediately.

Also send the "message" by email or letter to make it more formal.

Given that kids have to be in some sort of education till they're 18, and presumably she hasn't left home, he needs to continue paying her mother for the next two years.

DC do not have to be in full time education, it is worded as if they have to but can go out and get a job if they wish or an apprenticeship.

If he pays via CMS he could ask them if Child Benefit is still being claimed, if not stop paying and see if the Mum gets in touch? Meanwhile put the £ aside to pay.

If she was at a school with a 6th form then he could ask if she is still attending as he as PR.