CSA Child Support - Advice please?

Adama

I feel for your situation I really do.

The CSA don't usually take into account your debts etc they don't see it as their problem all they want is to take into account his earnings. It would be better if you can make a private arrangment but if the PWC finds out that she will recieve more money going through the CSA then I'm betting she will take that option. If she is though on benefits she would only recieve £10 of the CSA soon to go up to £20 next month. Therefore she would be better off doing it without using CSA.

You say that her new husband is working? So I can't see her claiming benefits?

Why didn't she pay towards her sons keep last year? As she didn't pay last year couldn't you remind her of this?

isica1903

I don't think she knows how much OH earns, so don't think she can find out, can she? What if she contacts CSA before they come to another arrangement, does he then have to pay them or can they still settle for a private agreement?
I don't think if would work reminding her that she didn't pay, she was def. on benefits until she married last month, I assume she's not now as when she's married she cant claim if he works. So she would just say that she couldn't afford to pay for him. And also seeing that my OH didn't pay before that either she's only going to throw it back in his face. I think I need to talk him into a private agreement, although he won't be happy.
I can see what everyone says though, if she claims through csa she will get the full amount and he still has no control on what its spent on.
I personally don't mind doing that if it means keeping her off our back.
From march my loan of £235 per month is paid off so things shall get a tad easier then, but its still a while till then.

SaveTheCheerleader

Hi

I really sympathise with your situation, me and DH are in the same boat as you.

We used to go through CSA but have abandoned them and now do a private arrangement with his sons mother. He pays 145 a month and that is on a salary of 22,000. Like you say it takes no acccount of our own family circumstances (2 small children and mortgage (huge on only a small 3 bed house)). There is no way i spend anything like that amount on my children and I really have to bit my tongue when his son turns up with designer gear, mobile phone etc etc, he's only 9. grrrrr!!!!

isica1903

Thanks SaveTheCheerleader, that's exactly how i feel. Even though she never really buys him anything flash, mind you, he's not interested in anything, it just seems unfair that there's so much money spent on one child when theres 2 others, yes I know it's supposed to take everything into account incl. money so he has somewhere to live etc. but we need to live too. I might sound relly mean but I don't see why my children need to take a step back just so she gets her own way. I do agree that he should pay for his son etc, but he has done in the past, always buys whatever he needs and doesn;t need, takes him on holiday, days out etc, all sorts of things she never does. Only it wasn't an official agreement, but done on a as and when required basis.
I'm sure she does it cos she cant claim benefits no more, before she knew she would only get £10 so it wasnt worth it.

Savvy_Sue

MOVING THREADS FOR BETTER RESPONSES

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to the Child Support board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].