To finaly apply to CSA

[filthycute]

I have been separated from ExP for almost 2 years. I live in my home which I owned before we met, he lives in rented property.

We have a 2yr old DS who we try to co parent, but because of ExP's work is not a consistent arrangement.

Before we separated ExP was unemployed for about 18months, prior to that he was earning but hadn't contributed to mortgage or bills in the 2 years we lived together.
During this time ExP continued to live as he did when working, bought a car, spent day to day etc, and during this time accrued £20k in debt - all of this was in my name, but he assured he would pay back as soon as a job came around. Then we split!

Since then he has paid nothing towards any childcare £600 per month, nothing towards the debt - which is now in a DMP and nothing for DS. He refuses to discuss at all, walks away, ignores e-mails letter etc. We are civil but only if i never raise this issue. I am struggling financially despite earning more than him because I?m paying everything.
He has threatened to give up his job and apply for custody if I go to the CSA? What are the chances of this happening?

Ask a solicitor. :)

These men often talk out of their arses, of course.
I bet he'd hate to have custody.

Don't bother spending your dosh on asking a solicitor when there's plenty of free legal advice on mumsnet

Get on to the CSA asap and ask whether your claim can be backdated.

As Lueji has said, these idle twunts talk out their arses and, in the unlikely event he were to get his arse in gear and apply for custody of your ds, it's improbable he'd get anything more than a contact Order - which he'd soon fail to honour.

With regard to him giving up work if the CSA tap his shoulder wages/salary, it's likely he'll give up working without that particular stimulus as dossing on the state and poncing off women is his default position.

agree totally with izzy
BUT I would hang on until end March, then legal aid stops for family law and he would have to pay to take you to court if he did. You can be filling in the forms before then - you could send mid March.
Just to give you an insight into what happened when I went to the CSA... my DS was 3 and my ex had never seen him or bought as much as a nappy as he left when I was pregnant (doing me a massive favour)- he told the CSA he wasn't the father. He refused a DNA test and they presumed him the father. He went on the dole. He went on and off benefits, the CSA tried everything, he would not comply. They took him to court... three weeks later I hear from him for the first time in almost 7 years.
I am now in the middle of a court case, as he has retaliated and taken me to court (using legal aid) for contact and has accused me of many things which fits in with how he was when we were together as it was a very abusive relationship.
Good luck I hope it works out for you.

Thank you - that's so helpful. I am very fearful he would go down a legal route as he would get legal aid and I wouldn't; waiting a few weeks until the law changes will ease that concern. I had this with my eldest sons dad he got legal aid and dragged out the financial stuff, I had a bill for £30k by the time it was finished - he had to pay half from the settlement, but he declared bankruptcy and all the costs and his debts were taken from the equity in our home, so I had to re mortgage to pay him off over 100k in the end. Then I meet this twat and he's worse because he wants to hurt me using our DS. Bastards!!
I'm so sorry that you are having to defend yourself aganst your Ex better what a twat!

Thanks filthy we have to stick together on these things - despite my massive sol. bill I get better advice on here.