Dumb question

jo91

Hi all

So sorry if this is a repeat of previous discussions, am just trying to get my head around my situation. My ex has been paying what he considers reasonable since we split, although it is far short of what my legal reps have advised they consider reasonable. (He is paying more to his 19 and 20 yr old children than he does for my two, both under 10.) Anyway, advice is to go via the CSA. A couple of qns on the online form have me in doubt. One asks if there is a maintenance arrangement in place - does mine count even if it is at a level he has decied is fit to bestow on me and is not formalised nor has it been revised in nearly 3 years?! Secondly, the qn where they ask if you want the CSA to handle the payment ? Is that wise - what are the alternatives ? (No help buttons or info on the online form page.)

Many thanks

kelloggs36

If you have an informal agreement then it doesn't count in CSA's eyes - it means if there is a Court consent order, so if you are unhappy with the level you are getting now, you are free to make a claim.

jo91

Thanks, that's just what I neded clarifying. Just wondering now how it is most appropriate to respond to the qn of do I want the CSA to collect the maintenance - not sure what the alternative is ?

Soubrette

jo91 wrote: »

Thanks, that's just what I neded clarifying. Just wondering now how it is most appropriate to respond to the qn of do I want the CSA to collect the maintenance - not sure what the alternative is ?

He pays the maintenance, as worked out by the CSA, directly to you or the CSA will collect the maintenance from him then pay it on to you.

It depends on how friendly you are and how much you trust him as to whether you want him to pay direct or to pay via the CSA.

Sou

jo91

Is the part where the CSA do the collection and passing on where they apply the charge ? As for how friendly we are - just got out of court appt with him today where he could not look me in the eye - that's what happens when you try to force your ex partner and kids out of the family home - nice :rotfl:still, he didn't get his way ha ha !

Soubrette

jo91 wrote: »

Is the part where the CSA do the collection and passing on where they apply the charge ? As for how friendly we are - just got out of court appt with him today where he could not look me in the eye - that's what happens when you try to force your ex partner and kids out of the family home - nice :rotfl:still, he didn't get his way ha ha !

I'm not charged anything for the CSA collecting child maintenance.

They asked me at the start how I would prefer collection, although they did push dealing direct but I don't trust my ex anymore.

I said I wanted it done via them, gave my bank details, they sent out a paper form giving his income etc and then collected that amount.

The drawback is that if anything goes wrong between your ex and them or them and you then you might not get your money.

Sou

kelloggs36

AT present there is no charge for their collection service. When the CSA was first set up, there was a charge but it was dropped because they could not justify charging for such a shXX service!!!

catenorfolk

There are no charges by the CSA, They work out an amount, your ex pays them, 3 or 4 days later that is put into your bank. I would get the CSA to collect, because if he doesnt make payments as he should, then they will arrange to chase this for you. and it makes everything a little bit easier. Anyway if he says he will pay you direct I cant see any reason why he would have a problem in paying through the CSA