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Original poster

Divorce and child benefit

13 replies

Shesheadingonin · 10/05/2023 18:48

Sorry, another child benefit question as I couldn’t find a response.

I recently divorced and through financial mediation, found out ex-DH hid his income. I was astonished to see he earned £90k. He is self employed. I’ve been claiming all this time and had no idea. I’m devastated. He hid it really well. He is now living the high life while I’m petrified of repercussions as I claimed child benefit the whole time while I worked part time (kids are 16 & 17 now). I would NEVER had claimed had I known.

Will this fall on my shoulders? I’m now full time but way under £50k threshold. It will cripple me to pay it all back.

Ex-DH was deceitful and an excellent liar. He now has several properties and plans to leave the country to live abroad within the next two years.

Where do I stand? Can anyone advise please, thank you so much.

OP posts:

Dontbelieveaword · 10/05/2023 18:54

Has someone reported you for claiming?

Original poster

Shesheadingonin · 10/05/2023 18:59

Not that I’m aware of.

OP posts:

hedgehoglurker · 10/05/2023 19:00

It is the responsibility of the higher earner, not the lower earner if under £50k. (Not sure if both over £50k, but this doesn't apply in your case.)

Please do not worry. It is for him to submit Self Assessment and repay.

Statsinyoureyes · 10/05/2023 19:00

It's the responsibility of the higher earner to pay it back, so it won't be your problem.

Original poster

Shesheadingonin · 10/05/2023 19:48

Thank you for replying, I really appreciate it.

OP posts:

Karma2023 · 10/05/2023 19:50

He should have filed in tax returns and then stated CB was claimed. His tax code would then have been adjusted.

dementedpixie · 10/05/2023 19:53

It's him that's liable, not you, as its the higher earner that needs to pay it back. Depends if they catch up with him I suppose.

tikkanaan · 10/05/2023 20:59

dementedpixie · 10/05/2023 19:53

It's him that's liable, not you, as its the higher earner that needs to pay it back. Depends if they catch up with him I suppose.

Yes I mean he's quite fortunate you haven't rung them and asked yourself.

Rebecca2022 · 22/08/2023 19:55

I divorced a few years ago and I claimed child benefit. Last year I moved in with a new partner who is a high income earner so I stopped my claim. My ex-husband started his own claim instead. My partner has now received a child benefit tax demand as my ex-husband claims. Has anyone else experienced this? It's ridiculous and basically looks like my partner is responsible for paying my exhusbands child benefit! The children are shared responsibility. Help please!

dementedpixie · 22/08/2023 20:21

Do the CB people think you are still claiming rather than your ex? Does your ex have a new partner?

Rebecca2022 · 22/08/2023 22:16

No they know I'm not claiming. I had it writing. He doesn't have a partner living with him.

Marmight · 23/08/2023 18:07

Are you children living with you now? If so, why are you not claiming the CB, assuming they are both still in education?

NoSquirrels · 23/08/2023 18:29

It’s more likely that they’re asking your DP questions in case you were claiming whilst you were living with him, rather than it being anything to do with your ex claiming. It’s probably just a classic of left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, and an automatic letter sent out. Should be instantly fixable with a phone call if you can evidence when you moved in and when you stopped claiming CB.

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