Child maintenance - quick question

Casper1_3

hi there
my bf has 2 children (9 & 5) who are both at school full time. He pays maintenance on a private agreement each month.

The childrens mother is a full time student (has been for ages - seems to get to near the end of a course then change her mind about what she wants to do and starts from scratch again with something else!) as is her partner who lives with her and the children.

As they are both full time students I would imagine they are claiming some benefit or other - I've no idea what as I've never been in a position to have to claim anything.

My question is, should she be declaring the maintenance my bf pays on a monthly basis and if she isn't is this benefit fraud??

Thanks in advance for any help.

Teresa1970

Unfortunately I have just had to go onto benefits(hopefully not for too long) and even though my child maintenance is private I have had to declare it so presumably she should declare it

Lord_Dante

Yes she should. It's an income and would be taken into account.
HTH.

Scarlett1

Casper don't assume she is getting benefits, if she has got a partner then its unlikely she will be getting anything, who is to say that she isn't declaring it if she is claiming, how does this affect you ?

scooby1001

As long as your b/f pays the required amount and you have proof of payment(Standing order into her bank account is usually the best way to have proof) it is up to her what happens after that. If she does not declare it that is down to her, i hope you are not thinking of getting involved as it would only bounce back on your b/f should she get nasty because you have put your bib in where it does not belong. If you are a student you can't usually get means tested benefit like income support anyway especially if she has a partner. Just leave her to it as it is not really any of your business.

Casper1_3

Thanks to you all for your replies.

Just to confirm - I'm not planning on getting involved but by the same token a HUGE bugbare of mine and my bf's is the whole benefit fraud/cheats etc as that impacts us and every other taxpayer out there.

Her and her partner are both full time students. She's never held down a job in her life and her partner is the same. In my opinion, 2 holidays a year, a brand new car on the drive, out on the town every weekend, spa weekends away etc is not normal behaviour for students.

So, if she's not declaring it and she should be then my bf will be contacting the relevant parties. We just wanted confirmation before doing anything. Dont get me wrong, we would never see the kids without shoes, clothes, food etc but the maintenance he pays each month is quite obviously not funding any of this and is instead going on her and her partners lavish lifestyle!!

scooby1001

Casper. I don't disagree with anything you say ONLY. Say you do inform the relevent athorities and she finds out (or gueeses) that it was your or your b/f that did it, and decides to stop him seeing his kids the only person that is NOT losing in that situation is YOU, untill your b/f decides it's your fault he is not longer seeing his kids and turns against you. As much as you want to do it i say don't. Even worse you do it and she finds out and she has been above board all hell will break lose.

Casper1_3

Scooby - I totally agree with what you say about me not getting involved and reporting her and I would NEVER do it. Its my bf's decision as to whether or not he calls the benefits bods but I wouldn't take it upon myself. If she did try to stop him seeing his children though, it would go through the courts.

My bf has been asking me if she should be declaring hence the reason I came on here, but I'd never get involved. Tbh, I've been with him a year and I've never laid eyes on her let alone had any contact and I've absolutely no intention of doing so. This is their 'spat' and although I'd always side with my bf (she was the one playing away from home) I'd certainly never engage in conversation with her or do anything to 'upset the apple cart'

scooby1001

Casper. I hope you don't think i was getting at you it is just as i have found out from personal experience that unless something comes from the b/f 150% (and even then) should it blow up in his face YOU(or in my case me) will get the blame.

Casper1_3

No - its fine. I didnt think that!!

I could never report her behind my bf's back anyhow......I'm crap at lying!!

If she did blame me for anything I'd be fine wth it. My bf has told me on more than one occasion that she's not 'wired up right' and he hates her with a passion and never believes a word she speaks. So she could blame me all she wants - water off a ducks back!!!!

Thanks for your advice though. I've taken it all on board. I'm a believer in what goes around comes around and she'll fall flat on her face at some point. As long as the kids are provided for and they're happy then that all that counts!!

McKneff

if everything does blow up, dont rely on the courts for father to see his kids,
judgements are ignored by lone parents and nothing is done about it. The only people who are damaged long term are the bairns, tell your boyfriend to think carefully before doing anything