IS there a maximum CSA can request?

Julie_RP12

Hi, really hope someone might be able to help here. My husband has just received a letter from CSA saying they are going to re assess our payments. As he is now earning a very high salary, around £2000 per week I am wondering whether there is any maximum cap on the amount payable to the CSA. He is on the old rules.

I would also like to say that we fully support the fact that it is his responsibility to pay for bringing up his daughter, now 14. It is just that some of the estimates we have had suggest the amount they are going to request would be enough to fund bringing up six children and this does not seem fair.

Would really appreciate any advice please?

Thanks!!!

generaloneill

I pay about £150 a week. then again, im only on £5 an hour, not £51 an hour like your husband. Is he a drug Dealer? jking.

average is 24 - 30 percent of your pay packet. And its only payable till daughter is 16, unless shes stays on for further education.

LizzieS_2

There isn't enough information to work out the assessment (not that I could anyway), but the maximum for csa1 is 1.5 times the maintenace requirement.

These figures aren't 100% as I'm guessing the increases from a couple of years ago:

Maintenance requirement
£60pw carers allowance (it's a % of this figure due to childs age)
£18pw family element
£49pw child element
Total is £127pw so the maximum would be £190pw (remember the carers allowance needs adjusting here).

Sorry, I can't be accurate - something is better than nothing at this time!

kelloggs36

There is a maximum but I can't remember what it is (it may actually be the 2k per week but it could be more). The assesment would be as Lizzie says no more than 1.5 times the maintenance requirement - could be less depending on what your housing costs are which are a key element in a CS1 case.

You comment on whether the figure is fair or not is immaterial. The figures are based on both parents' earnings - so one could argue is it fair that he pays a miminum amount whilst his daughter may be having to go without if the other parent has a very low income but is working? That was the point of the formula to ensure that the children don't suffer because their parents have separated - for high earners it is much easier to maintain, but it doesn't necessarily work for middle and low income earners as they have to finance alternative households which is more restrictive the lower your income.

kelloggs36

Maintenance requirement is for a 14 year old 50% of £60.50 plus £16.75 + £52.59 - £20 = £79.59 so the MAXIMUM amount would be £119 per week. Under CS2 the max is based on 2k per week and would be much higher if there are no other children involved at £300 per week as there are no reductions for children's ages.

Julie_RP12

Hi, thanks so much for your reply on this - we really appreciate it and perhaps tonight I will be able to get to sleep before 3am. My husband and I have two other children under the age of ten which we obviously support, so maybe this will have an impact too. I was just worried they might start asking for aoubt £3000 a month, but from what you are saying, worse case it should be no more than £1000 a month, plus I guess arrears from when his salary increased.

Thanks again, I am really grateful for your reply.

kelloggs36

If you want a rough idea, PM me with the details and I will work it out for you.

Sensemaya

Julie

If your hubs does earn over 2K the PWC can go to court for "top up maintenance". This is through the Children's Act.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/GetFormsCat.do?court_forms_category=children%20act

Click on Form C10.

Just be aware of this. Hopefully hubs might be under this.

kelloggs36

Yes that is correct - but it will affect her benefits, so it wouldn't be worth the aggro unless she planned to go to work in the future.

charlie..._7

im really suprised at kellogs, such short replys at someone earning so much, i would of thought she wanted to bleed him dry.

Kimitatsu

charlie... wrote: »

im really suprised at kellogs, such short replys at someone earning so much, i would of thought she wanted to bleed him dry.

That was totally uneccessary. Kellogs has provided clear factual advice on these boards for many years, so please if you cant say something either useful or nice then keep your comments to yuorself.