Another CSA question...

[meandmyfour]

My ex partner refuses to pay any maintenance for our four children. Our break up has been incredibly volatile and distressing and although I know I should contact the CSA ( I certainly need the money!)I keep putting it off because I know he'll go crazy when they contact him. Also, he is a low earner so I'll be lucky if I get anything at all...my question is, is it worth the hassle? I know on principle that he should, of course, contribute but I just don't know if I can cope with any more horrible scenes. Also, if he is forced to start paying on a regular basis would this give him any more rights? We were never married...I have never stopped him seeing the children it's just that because the break up has been so awful he comes and goes depending on what's gone on between us. I have tried to suggest regular days/times but he won't commit...horrible for our older boy of seven. The children all live with me but in his moments of fury he threatens to take them and I wonder if he'll have more rights if he's paying maintenance.
hope this makes sense...thanks..

THe CSA only backdate to the date you make the claim so my advice would be to get on and do it.

Then all the finances are dealt with by them and you need not discuss it at all.

They will take 15% of his net pay for one child I think 20% for two children dont know how much for 4 dc sorry.

Dont think it would give him anymore rights, if hes on the birth certifcates he has Parental Responsibility anyway.Aand even if hes not its easy for him to get. Courts keep access separate from maintenance so shouldnt have any effect on that.

Try not to let him bully you. And post in legal for more advice re residency if you're scared about that.

My XH refused to pay for our child-I contacted CSA and it got to stage where his employers were supposed to deduct it from his wages-and they never did-he owed hundreds of £'s and the CSA did nothing.

If u do contact them-good luck!

They are a bit crap but I get £35 a week (wooooo) and at least its taken from wages so comes without fail.

The maximum they can take for any children (even if you had 20)is 25% of their net pay. Any back pay you are owed (from the date of the application) can be collected at UP to 40% of his net income. (I used to work for the CSA btw)

thank you so much for your replies. Frazzle, I'm just wondering what the tone of the letter is like, trying to predict his reaction I guess...I'm in a real dilemma about what to do. He honestly will go crazy, I'm sure, if he gets contacted by them...

Paying maintenance through the CSA won't give your ex any more rights.
He should be paying to help support his children and it's disgusting that he doesn't pay and it's disgusting that you have to be scared of his reaction when he is asked to pay by the CSA.
All the documentation and letters I've had from the CSA have been very formal and professional, so I wouldn't worry about the tone of the letter.
Good Luck!

The CSA actually backdate to the date they inform your ex of the claim which is usually a few weeks after you make the claim, so the sooner you get your claim in the better. Whether or not he pays maintenance has no effect on other matters - he will not gain any extra rights through paying nor will he lose any rights if he does not pay.

From personal experience I have to say that enforcement is somewhat patchy. The CSA has extensive powers to enforce payment but they seem surprisingly reluctant to use their powers at times.