How do I get the right amount of child maintenance?

[GardenFlat]

Don't judge me- I was young and in an emotionally abusive relationship. My ex told me he owed me £2000 per year child maintenance and screamed at me when I questioned how he got the number, said he spoke to a solicitor, accused me of being a gold digger etc. So basically I didn't question it.

Our child is nearly 7 and I am on a very low income and was talking to some friends who were shocked about the amount. I put his income and time spent with DD in the child maintenance calculator and it showed he should be paying much much more than he is.

My question is how do I go about getting the fair amount for my child? We've never been to court or anything. He has her overnight one day a week.

You claim through CMS. They will sort it all (unless he's self employed - that can complicate it).

Just call them and set up a claim.
If he's employed, HMRC will provide his income to them.

Go through CMS it's really easy to do I did it all online, it can take 10 weeks though so be prepared that he might not pay in that time. I only get £30 a month but at least I know its guaranteed that way!

OK thank you
Half his work is self employed

Ahhh then he could be hiding it or he might hide it

If he's self employed it really messes the calculations. My ex husband is fully self employed but earns on average £600 per week. CMS calculated and told him he had to pay me £ 8 per week for both children.

See if this page might be able to help you figure out the process of child maintenance - https://iamlip.com/the-process-of-child-maintenance/ it might be able to give you more information on what to do - it mentions CMS in there too. This link also - https://iamlip.com/help-guides/child-arrangements/

Good luck my ex wouldn't even pay the 75p a week so after a year of stress I gave up and have brought my son up on my own for 13 years. Oh and that was with the same full time job he still has now