private agreement now CSA?

Nicky321

My daughter and her ex partner, father to her child had a private agreement where he agreed to pay £120 per month. Since September the payments have been hit and miss, more miss than hit with him borrowing money off her rather than him paying her maintenance. Last week she told him if he didnt pay maintenance she would go to the CSA and he told her he would pay her £80 maintenance a month with the first payment being saturday gone..... he managed to forget his wallet and she got nothing. Today he informs her that he will not be giving her any money this month and will start paying £50 per month from next month if she doesnt involve the CSA. Her child is 13 months old now and from his agreement she should have had around £1440, but she has received only half of that if anything (including the money she has lent him and not received back). I have told her to contact the CSA as I think this will be in the best interest for her child but she is not very agreeable to this as she thinks it looks as though she is being nasty and she hasnt got a nasty bone in her body.

I would be grateful for any advice.

kelloggs36

How much does he earn per year? she can work out what he should pay at 15% of his net income. For him to pay £50 per month, he would have to be earning less than £150 per week. To be honest, I would go to the CSA if I were her - because he has already broken the agreement twice in two months. See what they come up with, but it is likely to be more than the £50 per month (unless he is self employed - is he?)

Nicky321

Thanks for your advice, he is not self employed and she doesnt know exactly what he earns. He does however work full time approx 40 hours per week on at least minimum wage and he is 21 years.

LizzieS_2

On minimum wage, he will have to pay near the £120pm originally agreed.

Nicky321

I will have another chat with her today and see if she will go to the CSA, It seems like the better option. At least she may see some maintenance.
thanks for the help.

Nicky321

She has rang the CSA who have asked for her X Partners details. Could I ask what happens now? and when is she likely to hear anything?

kelloggs36

They will contact him either by phone or mail and that sets the effective date. He is legally obliged to provide the information. If he doesn't send it, they will go direct to his employer for them. Depending on how long this takes, it should be straight forward but there are a lot of variables. She may get lucky and he provides the info, sets up the direct debt and pays, or he may try and stall by denying paternity. So, it is impossible to say how long it will take, but hold tight, she has done the right thing if he won't play ball.