They are not my kids so why do I have to pay?

bigtone2010

Partners of nrp that feel they shouldn't help towards the upkeep of the nrp's children are clearly creating a family divide, almost a class divide in one sense, I spose it depends on how close the couple is, my wife fully supports my children with me as I do with hers, we consider our combined income as 1 income and pay £90 a week to the csa when our joint weekly income is lower than £500 and we are proud to be one of the few couples that make personal sacrifises for our children. We feel if you are going to form a family unit with one another that you share eachothers responsibility as if it is your own, or else what is the point of being a couple. Not saying this particular case is this way but it is all so common for new partners to want their new partner but not the responcibility of the kids - in which case they should get someone unattached. We understand this is contraversial subject. One last thing it shouldn't matter if the pwc is a multi millionaire, that does not excuse the nrp of their responsibilty so to complain that the pwc has a great job and their partner is well off too is very inappropriate.

No offense intended to anyone, sharing our views thats all

alwayspuzzled

I am a NRPP and agree that this is a very difficult situation. I knew OH had kids as indeed so did I from previous relationships when we got involved. I have always supported and encouraged him to pay CS even when it was getting flung back in his face. However I was honestly shocked to find that child tax credits paid to us for the children that live in our house count towards his assessable income, surely now shes working she gets her own tax credits? We have now recieved the new assesment following their reciept of his 08-09 SE tax return and it is me that will be paying the full weekly amount as he is off work following an operation - can't claim any income support as we didn't understand the diff between NI class 2 and 4 contributions:( I understand that everybodies situation is different but think a lot of the difficulies for NRPP arise through a struggle to see the money going to the kids and not the PWC lifestyle. Obviously I can only speak for myself but I just keep reminding myself its not the kids fault the mothers a b***h and the fact they act that way aswell is due to the example they are being set. Might be easier if I ever met them but not allowed to, to the extent when 16yr said she was going to visit her dad she was told that if she visited our home then she would be disowned. So sad.

Basically agree that paying CS should be a family effort but think that only the NRP's income should be counted. Also think Sou is very correct in saying people try to do the right thing but can't see beyond their own interests. I try really hard to be fair minded but I know I do put my kids higher in my priorities than his kids.