50/50 shared care, child maintenance and Universal Credit worries

[Thatgirlcat]

Hi all, looking for some advice on financial matters etc with 50/50 shared care court arrangement. Myself and my ex husband share 2 children together and co-parent with 50/50 court order. I receive child benefit for the eldest and he receives for our youngest.

My issue is that I am paying everything for the children such as school uniform, football club, clothes, school trips and lunch etc. I applied for child maintenance, who have basically, despite all I have shown them, don't care because of the agreement I'm not entitled to anything. My ex husband disputed my case and said that I am not the primary carer.

I receive universal credit, as I am on very low income, and because of the child maintenance case, it has now alerted my UC that I am not the primary carer for the children and I'm now having a meeting about it. Regarding the 50/50 agreement what can I do about all of this? I'm really struggling financially, but CMS don't seem to care and I'm now worried that my UC will be reduced. I feel like it's so unfair as not only do I pay for everything, but I'm the parent who does most appointments, schooling etc for the children.

You say you do most of the appointments and schooling, what is the 50/50 arrangement? Is it actually 50/50?

We have a court order which is in regards to splitting the children's time equally between us. However there is nothing about primary carer on it, which is what the CMS and UC look for. If I don't pay for all these things, the kids wouldn't have anything, it always falls on myself to pay for everything because their dad can't be bothered too.

50/50 and CMS is really murky.

You have to prove that although time is 50/50 parenting is not.

Who does dentist/doctors/hospital/parents evening for example?

You need proper advice from an expert but you cam and should appeal the cms ruling.

In terms of UC, if you lied on your application then thats on you unfortunately.

Both the children's GP surgery are under my address, as with the school. I do most of the appointments, school events and parents evenings.

I didn't lie on my application, when we were in court for the agreement I asked about primary carer and was told that as it was 50/50, we would both have that responsibility. Because of this, and us both sharing child benefit, it is making it very hard.

Then why are you worried about UC?

Because they have sent me a message saying they have heard I am not a primary carer and therefore I need to have a meeting about it.

Who gets the child benefit?

I get for our eldest and my ex gets for our youngest

You will probably be seen as the primary carer for the one you get child benefit for, and not for the other. Yes you won’t get cms for them if they’re 50/50.

Do you claim for both children on UC, that is what they will be looking for especially if there are 2 children. If you claim CB for one then you should receive UC for one.

As for paying for everything, can you go back to court to address costs I.e. 50/50 for clubs etc. If not, i would just stop paying, as hard as it is on the children, you cant afford it.

And uniform, he should have adequate school uniform at his. What is the rotation of when handover is? lunches he should be paying on his days.

Do you work? How old are the children?

could it be that if you have the children 50:50 they are expecting you to look for work?

Surely then your UC should match that and you’ll get UC for one child?