Blackmail or Extortion? ExH says he wont hand over dc tomorrow unless I give him money!!

[MsSavingPennies]

This is an update to an earlier post a few days ago.

Tonight I got a text from my ExH who has had my DC For the last two nights. He now says he will not hand him over tomorrow unless I hand over the money owing to my dc. He is referring to the child benefit I receive.

I have had numverous texts over the last week demanding my child benefit number so he can claim it or to hand over money to him to buy clothes. I have kept all the text messages he sent.

We have no legal care agreement as he refused to accept any of it. I am legally separated, I just couldn't afford a divorce :( I have received child benefit since my ds was a baby. I am right in saying this identifies me as the main carer? He has constantly told me he won't pay for things because I receive child benefit even though he is paid a good salary, and now he says our dc has nothing to wear that fits? In my home my dc has a wardrobe of clothes that fit! The previous post explains more. I spoke to the online benefits helpline earlier in the week and told them he was blackmailing me for child benefit and gave them details.

I can't get a solicitors appt until next week.

What can I do? I intend to go there tomorrow to collect him. If he refuses to hand him over do I call the police? I have no idea re the law in this respect.

Why after years of separation can he just not let me live in peace?

I hope that made sense.

exH is so manipulative, goodness knows what he is saying to my dc. I would hope my dc can see through him.

DontYoujingle, I will post on legal too, thanks for that.

I really don't understand, child benefit barely covers what a child needs - it's not like you are stock piling all this cash, you have been using it to raise your child!?

Kids aren't known for their wisdom.

Generally they want both parents to love them and give them attention. You are doing it every day so he doesn't have to fight for it from you. He 'wants' it from his dad as well.

Hopefully once he is older he will see everything you have done for him and you and he will have a close bond and relationship.

He will never have that strength of bond or closeness etc with his dad.

I don't know how men like this can sleep at night they have no conscience.

Guff - I know, £80 a month. I don't claim for anything else, even if I gave him money would it stop at that? I doubt it.

Have you had any payments by way of child support from your exH?

Xales -it worries me, my ExH manipulated me for years until I finally realised what he was doing, also thanks for your advice. I hope dc does realise that I would do anything and always dc comes first, even if it is when he is older...

What would your DS's views be on staying for longer tomorrow? Have you been able to speak to your DS? Is there any way of contacting him without speaking to your ex, i.e. does he have his own phone?

What exactly are the arrangements for handover tomorrow?

I think there are 2 possible options for dealing with this in the short term.

1. Call the police and report him for blackmail.

1. Don't give him a drama. Text back to say you will not be providing CB details, or indeed cash. Any continuance of this will be reported to police as blackmail. Ask him to let you know when suits to collect.

If he won't let your son return back to you, then contact the police about both blackmail and false imprisonment. Given the ambiguity about residency orders etc, police may not be able to do much about if he keeps your DS, but they will at least call and speak with your DS. There is however clear evidence of blackmail. SS could be useful allies for you, and a call to the duty social worker expressing concern for your DS's wellbeing might help.

Longer term, I would suggest getting a solicitor's letter sent; going to CSA; and showing your DS the household budget as someone else suggested.

Call the police.

Don't text him. don't alert him, just ignore. For now. Get your DC back first.

If you tell him you'll refuse to pay, he'll potentially flee, or take other action to punish you.
Radio silence. Refuse to negotiate.

You have to go to the CSA. If he earns good money then he can afford to pay you.

i might have missed this but where does your son live for the majority of the time?

Jumping - since we separated, care has fluctuated but the majority of care has been through me. Fortunately I still have some paperwork to show this. The problem is he wanted shared care, but then refused to agree to this in our separation agreement. Then I found myself doing the majority of it, except for the odd month when it suited him.

I should have gone to the CSA. The reason I didn't go - I was alone, little money. I knew there was a strong chance that he would do something like this back then just out of spite. Would you believe over 5 years legally separated and now he does this!

How are you communicating with him?

Make sure all is written, text or email.

Beryl - thanks for that advice. I will try to call and speak to DS this morning if he doesnt want to leave I thought I might go in to our local police station and at least get advice. I can show them the texts too. Exh behaviour does concern me.

Why after all this time start behaving like this? Is it because I am now happy in my life? I don't want my son subjected to this. Surely this sort of behaviour ie hand over money or I am not handing over dc will not look good in a court?

hardly slept a wink last night.

Lueji- txt only to exh and on hindsight I'm glad I have proof of his behaviour on my phone. I will need to phone dc - doesn't like mobiles!! Must be the only teen who doesn't want a mobile!!

I always thought child benefit was to go towards food, and general upkeep, not just clothes.

Hope all goes well later. What time were you due to pick up?

He does seem to be upping the anti. I wonder what his plan is?

Good luck OP.

I was in a very similar situation a few years ago (DS was 7) and the Police weren't interested so my Dad and I drove to the exes house and forced entry when the exes gf opened the door. We grabbed him and left. He threatened me with solicitors and court but it never happened.

I often wonder what it is with exes and money. Must be a control thing.

OP, how did it go yesterday?

Just an update, and thank you all for your advice.

I called ds on Saturday and got ExH on the phone. He was going on about how ds had nothing to wear? Anyway I ignored his whining and said I would collect him as I arranged. I was waiting a for a drama but it was very strange, he said ok and no problem re money!! So we went from one extreme to the other!

So ds is with me and I have an appt with my solicitor.

I have a feeling that exh was spoken to by a family member, and told to get a grip.

So pleased he's home. I assume he won't be going to his dad's for a while.

Could the family member be DS? :)

Brilliant outcome!

How many days until you can divorce online?