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Ex-wife losing the plot

My ex-wife has asked me to increase the child support that I pay as it hasn't changed for a few years. I could agree but she won't say by how much she'd like it increased. She has suggested (threatened) that she could go to the CSA - which is is fine by me as I already pay 15% of my income. The reason it hasn't increased for a few years is because it wasn't reduced when No1 son left full time education and I was paying 20%.

So, I have two questions.
1. If she chooses to use the CSA should I cancel my standing order to her until the CSA complete their assessment?
2. How long do the CSA normally take?

I'm sure the answer to No 1 is 'No' so really just No 2 that I need help with.

Thanks in advance.

GG
There are 10 types of people in this world. Those who understand binary and those that don't.
«1345

Comments

  • brians_daughter
    brians_daughter Posts: 2,148 Forumite
    up to you re cancelling SO, but ensure it is clearly marked maintenance payments. The calculation will be from the date they contact you as the NRP so if you didnt want to continue paying the SO just put the money to one side then you can pay when assessment is done

    How long? well, if both parents co operate it can be days to coming to assessment- if you give info over phone and send pay slips same day it can be sorted within a week!

    Use the online calculator that will tell you how much you would be paying via csa (bear in mind if you or any new partner you live with claims tc these will be taken into account all wtc if you are main earner, 50% if both earn same none if she is main earner, and ALWAYS the ctc is taken into account, the csa calc does not ask for these details on the online calculator tho)

    If you do go via csa at least she cant keep requesting you up the payments, but be aware she can ask for re-assessment at any time, so if your income goes up be prepared for that to be taken into account

    I am a PWC, and a NRPP and a NRP rolled into one, so i can see pros/cons from all angles!
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    1) As soon as you receive any paperwork or a phone call from the CSA cancel the SO. If you do not, chances are you will end up paying her twice.

    2) It varies a lot depending on which office does your assessment and how busy they are. Whilst they are calculating your assessment you should put 15% of your net income away in an account and pay it when the assessment is complete and they come to you for " arrears ".
  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    1. Don't pay her anything, keep hold of it
    2. Can't remember what your second question is, but don't pay her till they ask :D

    She has had a fair deal from you and no problems.. she doesn't realise how lucky she is :)
    :cool:
  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I agree - stick the money in an account so that when the CSA tell you how much arrears you have, you can pay it all off in one go and avoid having to fight her if she denies having the money. Protect yourself.
  • Mips
    Mips Posts: 19,796 Forumite
    kelloggs36 wrote: »
    I agree - stick the money in an account so that when the CSA tell you how much arrears you have, you can pay it all off in one go and avoid having to fight her if she denies having the money. Protect yourself.


    Just thanked you Kellogs.. (again).. but mainly for your welcomed and completely unbiased advice - a rarety on the MSE boards :) :j
    :cool:
  • CMAC_2
    CMAC_2 Posts: 187 Forumite
    By not paying her anything untill the csa make the assesment you will only hurt your child. You know what you earn pay 15% get her to sign for it, as child support payments during the IPP (initail payment period) as long as the recipts have IPP on then they will be accepted
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    CMAC wrote: »
    By not paying her anything untill the csa make the assesment you will only hurt your child. You know what you earn pay 15% get her to sign for it, as child support payments during the IPP (initail payment period) as long as the recipts have IPP on then they will be accepted

    Sorry but the reality is the CSA will generally disregard this evidence. It's not the NRP who is choosing this course of action it is the PWC.

    In situations like this the mantra " you are only hurting the child " is very unfair to the OP.

    A person who has consistently paid for their children should never be made to feel they are not providing.
  • stokefan
    stokefan Posts: 790 Forumite
    marksoton wrote: »
    Sorry but the reality is the CSA will generally disregard this evidence. It's not the NRP who is choosing this course of action it is the PWC.

    In situations like this the mantra " you are only hurting the child " is very unfair to the OP.

    A person who has consistently paid for their children should never be made to feel they are not providing.


    damn right, shes the one who is trying to get greedy, i hope your payments get reduced, that would teach her.....
  • iluvfreebies
    iluvfreebies Posts: 812 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    if you are paying 15% already call her bluff and make an application to pay maintenance through the agency yourself. You should be able to do this over the phone with the agency - the case would be effective from the date you apply so make sure to leave money aside if you arent paying her directly - you can make voluntary payments through the agency while you are waiting for payments to be sorted out by debit card.
    Comp Wins 2011 : Cant wait to start listing everything:j:j:j
  • kelloggs36
    kelloggs36 Posts: 7,712 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    CMAC wrote: »
    By not paying her anything untill the csa make the assesment you will only hurt your child. You know what you earn pay 15% get her to sign for it, as child support payments during the IPP (initail payment period) as long as the recipts have IPP on then they will be accepted

    The problem is that many NRPs have been caught out by doing the 'right' thing and ending up paying dearly for it because of a PWC who denies everything. I think that they need to protect themselves in these situations - nobody is suggesting that he doesn't pay - just go by the book and put the money aside - all 15% of it, from the date the CSA first contact him until the date that they notify him of the amount he owes. You can't argue that the child will go without because they won't - not in the long run. It is a rare person (although of course not impossible) for somebody to rely totally on child maintenance for their existence. What about those of us who have had to wait for years and years for a single penny?? Nobody hurried up the CSA then - oh no, they believed every lie - regardless of how ridiculous they were - told by the NRP because it was easier for them to have to do nothing. The PWC will get the money in the end, and it won't be too long anyway as the NRP in this case is totally compliant.
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