CSA advice - why 'screw' the good Dad's??

bambi1980_2

Hi all,

This is a query about my partner who has a 7 year old daughter by his ex. They split up before she was born and right from day one he has stuck by the child. At first his ex wouldn't let him see her so he got a solicitor involved but before going to court for any orders etc the ex gave in and allowed him access. I'm not totally sure what payments he made in the beginning but the CSA quickly became involved. Currently he picks her up from school on Tuesdays, has her overnight, then overnight Wednesday, then takes her to school Thursday morning. He then has her again on Saturday from 1pm, overnight until 6pm on Sunday.

As well as providing food, clothing and other essentials on these days he is being screwed for £25 a week from the CSA. I know this probably doesn't seem a lot but he is self-employed and seem to be losing work left right and centre now. I just find it unbelieveable that he has her so much yet still has to pay maintenance to the ex! I thought the whole point of the CSA is to get the money from the absent fathers and those that haven't paid their way throughout the child's life not screw over the Dad's that actually care!

His ex is not the most reasonable person in the world and so I don't think she would be inclined to fight his corner. He has been constantly on the phone to the CSA throughout the 7 years and the most recent assessment that they have done has come back that he owes arrears of £2790 and his weekly payment has gone up to £29 to accommodate for this.

Basically, the whole situation is getting him down. He feels like he is in a no-win situation. I'm not sure whether he has a case because the CSA have looked into his accounts and all the information, but to me it doesn't seem right.

Does anyone have any advice of where we can take it now? Any help will be much appreciated.

Many Thanks

Mr_Green_Genes

bambi1980 wrote: »

He has been constantly on the phone to the CSA throughout the 7 years ...

OK First point here. The main problem is your use of the word 'phone'.

He should never, under any other than the most dire of circumstances, deal with the gestapo on the phone. They have a track record stretching back many years of lying, denying and falsifying. Anything said on the phone can, and frequently is, erased from history, whenever it suits them. You have no record. Old hands at this will always tell you to demand that everything be conducted in writing. It takes longer but it's more reliable - they actually have to tell the truth and they can't claim ignorance of any points you want to make.

... and the most recent assessment that they have done has come back that he owes arrears of £2790 and his weekly payment has gone up to £29 to accommodate for this.

That is almost certainly rubbish. I have never come across a single arrears calculation that has actually proved reliable. Appeal on the grounds that he owes nothing at all. Force them to give you a comprehensive breakdown of exactly how they came to the conclusion they did. Make them provide you with the calculations. Don't take s... ahem I mean manure from these people.

Mr_Green_Genes

Oh and by the way, I'm a good dad (well I think I am anyway).

If anyone wants to think about the title of this thread ...

cte1111

TBH £29 per week doesn't sound like a lot of money. It's great that your OH is an involved father, but part of that is paying a share of the child's needs.

It's not 'Maintenance for his ex', it's paying for part of his child's food, housing, clothes, bedding, pets, school activities, shampoo and 1000 other items that his child will need.

When times are hard, we may all struggle to make ends meet, but failing to provide for our children should not be an option.

Thriftysaver

Bambi1980 go to the website www.afairercsaforall.co.uk. There is lots of advice and support on there.

hamstercheeks_2

I would suggest if he wants to reduce payments thru the CSA have his daughter 4 nights a week - that would reduce it significantly.

And the PWC will mostlikely be claiming child tax credits

it would also be reduced if you had a child


this calculator should give a rough figure

https://secureonline.dwp.gov.uk/csa/v2/en/calculate-maintenance.asp

Mr_Green_Genes

hamstercheeks wrote: »

it would also be reduced if you had a child

True, albeit a little drastic possibly.

hamstercheeks_2

Mr_Green_Genes wrote: »

True, albeit a little drastic possibly.

well it might happen sometime

if not, have fun trying :rotfl:

Mr_Green_Genes

hamstercheeks wrote: »

if not, have fun trying :rotfl:

Quite. In other words, to paraphrase the title of this thread "Why not screw the good dads".

Did I mention that I thought I was a good dad.

I guess I'll be banned tomorrow ...

hamstercheeks_2

Mr_Green_Genes wrote: »

Quite. In other words, to paraphrase the title of this thread "Why not screw the good dads".

Did I mention that I thought I was a good dad.

I guess I'll be banned tomorrow ...

ehmm i dont think the OP meant that lol

enemes

hey!

At the end of the day ( when most of the screwing takes place!) we are all being screwed! You, me, the children, the grandparents ... everyone, except the lawyers and some numb skulled tw4ts at the CSA!

The bottom line is ... just make sure that the children are not being screwed here. They are the ones who are the innocent victims in this .... as one adult throws one ammo at the other.

Prejudices prevail in society. Just because parents split up, it doesn't mean that their children are hated by anyone -- it's the complete opposite, they have two loving entities.

Then again ... if anyone wants to screw this particular 'Good Dad' ...:A