Partner's Child moving in

nicola1982_2

My partner wants full custody of his child. The child attends morning nursery school and my partner says his wages would not cover childminder costs adequetly. He therefore wants to quit his job. My problem is that upon graduating my debts will mean outgoings of £350 pm on top of rent etc and I cannot afford to be a sole breadwinner, however I don't think we would be eligible for benefits as I will be earning £13500 pa.

Is there anyway my partner can obtain extra benefits on the basis that the child is his but not mine? His ex won't work so child maintenance is out of the question. I want to be able to support his bid for custody, but at the moment I can't see it working.

Fran

He should look into Tax Credits - there is an element of them which could give him some towards childcare. He would receive Child Benefit - but how likel y is he to get custody anyway? If the mother has the child living with her now has she agreed he should look after him? If it's going to court, is there a good reason that they would remove the child from her to live with him full time? (Courts seem to favour things being the same for the child eg. school, bricks & mortar in which they live.)

Spendless

AFAIK - child benefit is likely to be paid to the parent with care- but you'd get a more definate answer on the benefits board.

You would also be eligible for tax credits. Play around with figures here www.entitledto.co.uk

You can get help with childcare costs via tax credits but both of you ahve to work at least 16 hours (college/uni doesn't count). Alternatively some employers offer childcare vouchers(we use these) and the 16 hour rule doesn't apply.

You may not wish to give your reasons on here, but why does your OH wish for residency?

Gorgeous_George

Spendless wrote:

You may not wish to give your reasons on here, but why does your OH wish for residency?

I'm no expert but I guess it's because
a. the child is his
b. the child's mother would claim 15% of his income if the child stays with her (and the child would not necessarily benefit from this).

Many people see their children as meal-tickets to an easy life. I know somebody whose youngest child has reached the age when benefits stop or are reduced. The answer - adopt one of his grandchildren. (**cannot find smiley for ANGRY).

GG

chugalug

Thats a very cynical view!! He might just think its best for the child. Anyway, having children to receive an increase in income is a flawed plan IMO.

jellyhead

GG there's a mad smiley for angry :mad:

there could be plenty of reasons for his wanting custody, but he doesn't really need one - just being a parent makes you want custody i think? why shouldn't men have full custody?

jellyhead

sorry, i forgot to add the bit about tax credits. you both have to be working, even though it's not your child. 16+ hours a week. play around with salaries and childcare fees on the entitledto website posted by spendless to see what kind of help you'd get. if your salaries are under 57k you'll get ten a week at least, under 25 and it will be more than that and possibly help with childcare.

how old is the child? 3 year olds get some funded hours for term time and it might not be long until school starts.

if your partner becomes a stay at home parent then on your salary you will definitely get tax credits (but no childcare help if your partner is at home).

i think 3 year olds get 12.5 hours of funded nursery, for 5 sessions of 2.5 hours each, for around 36 weeks of the year. parents with nursery age children will know more.

The_Geek

nicola1982 wrote:

My partner wants full custody of his child. The child attends morning nursery school and my partner says his wages would not cover childminder costs adequetly. He therefore wants to quit his job. My problem is that upon graduating my debts will mean outgoings of £350 pm on top of rent etc and I cannot afford to be a sole breadwinner, however I don't think we would be eligible for benefits as I will be earning £13500 pa.

Is there anyway my partner can obtain extra benefits on the basis that the child is his but not mine? His ex won't work so child maintenance is out of the question. I want to be able to support his bid for custody, but at the moment I can't see it working.

As the others have said, there is tax credits so I won't reiterate whats already been said.

My advice is not to give up his job until he gets custody (or residence as it is now known). In my experience and unfortunately I do have some here, your partner is very unlikely to get residence of his child. It would seem that as the law stands, even unfit mothers are preferred over fathers. The only likely way is if the ex willingly gives him it. Given she is on benefits and would lose a large proportion of it, I somehow doubt she will do that.

nicola1982_2

There is an issue with physical punishment which I'd rather not go into in any detail, I had a look at the tax credit and we've realised that we can afford full time nursery so we could both work. Thanks to everyone who gave advice.

The_Geek

If your not already doing so, write everything down, keep a diary of events. This will help your solicitor and provide evidence.

Just be prepared for an uphill and lengthy battle. It can be done, I have residence of my two children but in practice the odds are heavily stacked in the mum's favour.

Have you both thought about how much contact your ex would be allowed if you did win residence? If his child stills stayed with their mum surely your concerns would still be there albeit less frequently.

jellyhead

good luck, i hope it all works out for you.