EX quit his job to avoid paying child maintenance

[GoldenEllis]

Just received a letter from HMRC to inform ex has quit his job of 5 years, last week. He happened to message last week also to say he filed for divorce. I'm very surprised as he has a very comfortable wfh position with great income. He owns our home and pays the mortgage too. Whilst separated (almost 2 years) he completely abandoned young DC - doesn't call or visit so I applied for CM (2 months ago) and was awarded the full entitlement. He never contacts, however last week and for the first time, he sent 12 videos of him away on holiday for DC to see.

I find it all very strange...not too sure what to do about this? Anyone been through something similar?

I stupidly did share the videos. I had no idea of his intentions. I genuinely thought he might want to have contact again.😣

If he’s moved to another country why are HMRC dealing with his tax?

If he has moved to another country then you wouldn’t be eligible to claim under CMS

Strange but obvious troll post.

He continued to work for the same company but from another country. He works from home. All letters are sent to our home address. On the rare occasion he travels for work, he comes back because his flights are booked from our local airport.

I wouldn’t be bothering with his Mail etc. he can use a forwarding service or change his address. What a piece of work.

So you have a child maintenance claim where you and him are registered at the same address?

I am not too sure of his work arrangements but he's been working from home since COVID and due to this flexibility he decided to move abroad (where he has family). I suspect he may have been working abroad without declaring to employer and HMRC.

No. When I made the claim I informed CMS that he doesn't live at the property and I don't have his address. I provided workplace and contact details. They phoned him and he agreed to pay. I think he may have used a relative's address for this.

@TheCatterall Thank you for the suggestion. I plan to tell him later this week when he calls about divorce.

What is it with these men who quit their jobs simply to avoid paying for their own dc?

I find it’s even worse when the parents of said man supports him through paying for everything.

If I found out my son did that, I would rip him to shreds and then support my grandchildren instead.

My OH’s ex quit her job to avoid paying maintenance for SS and SD last year. She eventually got a job again 2 months later. Tried going under the radar with it. SS and SD told us she had a job a few months ago. OH informed CMS and now there’s backpay. He’s still not had a penny in 4 years so far. I don’t know what CMS are doing about it. Apparently there’s a £1000 fine for not declaring income correctly. Doubt she’s been given a fine though. It’s infuriating. Her opinion is that my income is enough to help support the upkeep of her children.

I bet he hasn't quit. He's probably working for the same company but his employment contract is now through a different country. You may still be able to get the money off him depending on the country. Look on the company's website and see which other countries they operate in. Give everything a little time to settle then set up a fake linked in posing as a recruiter in his field. Make sure you add loads of other people who also work in his field. I wouldn't give up yet OP.

ex MIL did say he has the right to move to any country and not pay CM if he wants to. She also added, I'll never be able to track him down. So, yes some families are supportive of such repulsive behaviour.

I phoned his workplace and HR confirmed he is no longer on their system.

The Linkedin idea is worth a try. Thank you.

How can cms not enforce payments. I don't get it

I'm sorry you're going through this. Some parents bizarrely go through extreme lengths to leave their kids without. Can I ask how you found out about her new job?

I’m amazed they shared this confidential information with you!

@sickofteenagers maybe because he doesn't have any income.

@GoldenEllis she still has contact with SC. They proudly pointed at a company sign saying ‘that’s where mummy works’.

I wish I could tell you CMS would be of good use. But OH has had many conversations with them trying to convince them to recheck her income. But basically unless OH knows her salary (why/how would he know this info?!) or she willingly declares it, her CM payments are based on last tax year when she was out of work.

Some parents are just scum, it’s horrid for the kids. And especially difficult for single parents, not that stepparents should be forking out where parents fall short, but I’d never see his kids go without.

The only hope I can give you is my older sister had many issues with her ex and CMS. Eventually it all caught up with him and he’s still making payments now to catch up with the backpay and her kids are adults now.