CMS/CSA

[brokenhearteddad]

I’m hoping someone could enlighten me as to why my ex has decided to open a case with CMS regarding my sons payments. He is 23 months old and I have been paying on a weekly basis into her bank account without fail. Currently up to 99 payments. I currently pay £5 a week more than the CMS calculator suggests. After speaking to CMS they actually don’t know why she has opened a case for the second time in 18 months the only reason they have given me is “maybe she is trying to get more money out of you”. They have asked how I want to continue paying which I have replied the same way I’ve paid the 99 payments to date as I don’t want to be paying their very high fees. Can anyone give me an idea why someone might do what she has done or is it literally as suggested she’s chancing her arm at more money?

Have you provided regular updates and proof of your income? There aren't any fees, if they do the calculation and you pay the agreed amount regularly and on time. So that really isn't a legitimate objection at all.

'chancing her arm' = wanting to confirm that you're paying the correct amount

Without my crystal ball here are some thoughts:
Payments may be be better paid monthly
Doesn't believe your income
Wants to make sure if your circumstances change payments will increase
Doesn't think the amount is enough

Bit odd if your on good terms not to talk to you and ask first ref payments/income.

Annual income is correct according to the letter I have received from CMS
Only logical explanation I can think of is she either wants me to through CMS which I refuse to do because they charge some sort of admin fees which amount to about £500 a year or she is maybe trying to get a few more ££ out of me
I’ve never not paid for my son and obviously it’s all been done via Bank transfer with updated reference number each week

You won’t be paying high fees.. she will have paid for £20 to open the case... the payments will still be made as normal. Apart from a paper exercise really it has no bearing. If you don’t pay, consistently then it will be different but you do... so makes no difference

Are you PAYE or S/E?

Why has she had to open a case twice?

Certainly not on good terms but I’ve never hidden anything regarding salary etc I’ve spent thousands in court fees and solicitor fees to see him as she stopped so had to get a court order put in place which has been adhered to
She does like to create obstacles to make things as difficult as possible even the judge said that to her when I provided evidence of what I have done to see my son

No idea why she opened the case both times. The CMS have actually said to me this evening we can see she keeps opening and closing cases and she will be told if she continues to do so they won’t help unless there really is a legitimate reason

If you behave in real life as you have on this thread, I would say that's why.

???

This is one of those say nothing and continue as you were.
It will of cost her £20 to open case for no benefit

Sometimes avoiding the drama is the best approach

Oh believe me I am trying to avoid the drama as much as possible
Obviously I have replied to the CMS letter and spoken to them they know and acknowledge I do pay on a regular basis so just sit and wait to see what happens next I suppose. Just trying to figure out why

It would help figure out why if you might say if you are self-employed or PAYE?

You don’t get charged if you used direct pay. They confirm the amount and review it annually. You just set up a standing order and if it’s missed they will chase it for her.

You incur charges for collect and pay but there’s no evidence to suggest direct pay isn’t appropriate if you pay regularly now.

If you choose to pay via CMS your payments will rise 20%, I think that's the fee you mean. There's no reason anyone would choose this method and usually applies to those who refuse to pay and the money needs to be collected by them. You're well within your rights to continue making payments directly for no charge, as long as you keep up their payments.

Yes CMS also confirmed I’m within my rights to continue paying as I am doing now. Obviously that’s my intentions
Thanks for your replies folks

^ No, this is rubbish

Maybe she feels as if you're 'in control' of her, what with the court order you sought and your preferred method of payment, and she might want to take your control away going to the cms.

I'd do the same if I were her.

If you behave in real life as you have on this thread, I would say that's why.

The OP hasn't behaved badly on this thread.

HTH

Ignore some posts op, you havnt behaved badly on this thread. Just keep records and paying as required. I'm glad you seem to be supporting your child through acess as well as financially.

Yeah I am but baffled by some of the replies but yes I have always fought to see my son no matter what obstacles she has thrown my way and have always kept up with payments despite some people telling me not when I wasn’t seeing him. Personally I think this is all out of pure nastiness to get at me but I will always stand my ground when it comes to my son (obviously within the law)

Well if you've already decided why it's happening, you're sorted really, I guess. Can't really understand why you posted tbh.

I do think if you want to understand your Ex's reasoning, you either need to ask and listen; or think about it from a little way outside your current perspective. If you sit in the same box, you'll always see that box.

Best of luck to all involved.