Child support absent father

[Smallmum55]

I'd posted earlier about my baby's dad not being involved in baby's life (baby is nearly a year now and my ex has never met or shown any interest in the baby at all. He's not on the birth certificate) and a lot of people said I should still claim child support off him.
I don't do this as I don't desperately need the extra money and my ex is a waste of space and id rather he wasn't involved in baby's life or mine in any way so I've never claimed any money from him....am I being stupid? Is anyone else in this position, where they would rather have nothing to do with their kids dad to the point that they don't even claim child support? Am I doing the right thing?

Paying child support doesn't mean he would get extra rights in court like visitation if that's a fear.

If you don't need his money it might be worth sticking it in a savings account for your child. Financial responsibility and contact are separate issues

Even though my ex’s name is on my sons birth certificate, he isn’t allowed to see my son and because of that, I didn’t want to claim maintenance in case it gave him a valid excuse to be able to see my son if he took me to court for any reason. Plus I don’t need his money nor do I want it

I don’t claim it as my ex doesn’t work and it was £7 a week! He can shove it

I didn't claim from exh for fear he would try to see Ds. ( it isn't safe ) when he applied to court i applied to csa , he dropped court case but u still get £7 a week.

I think he should pay his legal minimum

My Mum didn't but then it was always I can't afford x because your Dad doesn't pay etc. Even though she chose not to pursue it as she didn't want him to have contact(a myth).

So it depends, wouldn't that money put in a savings account if you don't need it be a massive benefit to your grown up child?

You should be claiming. Even if you “don’t need” the money, you’re child could benefit from it. Put it into an account for your baby’s future.

Your baby is entitled to financial support from their father, so I would think about this very carefully. Do you think he would suddenly want to be involved after showing no interest at all? I imagine he’ll be angry at you and try to talk you into not claiming, but is he really going to suddenly want to be a father?

@Starlightstarbright1 @discombobulatedonion @NotaCoolMum @TurnUpTurnip @Naunet @BananaPB @CarelessSquid07A
Thank you all for your advice.
The reason my ex and I split up just before found out I was pregnant was because he attacked me and then stalked me/harassed me for months afterwards (he was found guilty in court and is current doing community service for it)
So after alot of careful thinking, I think it's best I continue to not claim any money from him. Yeah I doubt he will ever take an interest in the baby but I'd rather not give him a reason to do so...so I'll just keep my distance and hope he forgets about baby all together. It's not worth the hassle for a wee bit of extra money each month x