What should i do??

mummy-gone-mad

Ok... so a bit of background... I split up from my daughters father when she was 2. He has always given me money, but about 9 years ago his very hit and miss attitude made me snap so i threatened to go to the CSA if he did not start regular payments of £360 per month (i worked this out on the CSA calculator, it was more but i felt it was a bit much so did a deal with him) and i wanted it straight into my bank account. This he has done, but i have had to remind him every month

Now, my ex Is self employed, but he has always been one of those to just slip through the net as far as tax is concerned, he just keeps his head under the raidar and they seem to have forgotten about him, so i used this to my advantage and i told him the csa would want to look into his accounts and finances.

So anyway, my DD hits 16 in a coupe of weeks and he has told her this evening he is not going to pay me any more. His last payment was monday. Now she starts college in september and i have told her that she could have £200 a month out of the maintenance, but obviously if this stops i will not be able to do this.

My question is, if i go to the csa now will i go on to the new rules, or CS2? and if its the new rules how is it worked out?
I really dont want to go down this route as
a) I know the CSA are S**T and
b) I really dont want to get him into bother.

Im between a rock and a hard place as i know he has supported my DD till now, but by no means does his responsibility to his daughter stop, just because she has turned 16. As a lot of people will know, they just get more and more expensive the older they get, (Mobile phone bill and Gym memberships just to name a couple of expences!!):rolleyes:

Thankyou for any replies in advance.

enemes

Hi ... and welcome aboard!

If you go the CSA now, your ex will be liable for his daughter's maintenance until at least the first Monday in September after Child Benefit stops. Even though she is going to college, it doesn't necessarily mean that CB will stop, it depends on what type of course she is on.

In effect, his liability could last until she is 19.

It could be that he genuinely thinks that his financial responsibilities are over when she turns sixteen, but the law says differently. If you don't want to bring in the CSA, then perhaps just making him aware of the law, might make him realise otherwise

nametaken

There is no reason you can't go to the CSA now. Why has he stopped paying for his daughter now that she's 16 when he's been fine paying up until now? How odd.

Don't feel bad that he "supported" his dd till now!!!! She's his dd, it's his duty to support her, not something he gets praised for doing!!!

shell_542

What kind of course is she doing at college? If it's a non-advanced one then you are still entitled to maintenance.

If she is doing a non-advanced course maybe you could just inform him of this, if you write a letter/email you could include a quote from the CSA's website proving what you are saying ...

Child maintenance is payable all the time that Child Benefit is being paid and the child is:

• aged under 16; or
• under 19 and in full-time non-advanced education

The definition of full time education is more than 12 hours a week of study on a course up to and including A level standard. Some examples of non-advanced education are:
Non - Advanced Education

• GCE / GCSE - A level / AS level / O level
• SCE Higher Grade or equivalent
• GNVQ / NVQ levels 1 2 & 3
• BTEC National Diploma
• SCOTVEC National Certificate
• Scottish Certificate of 6th Year Studies
• Foundation Arts Course
• Secretarial Course with GCSE entry
• NNEB
• Hairdressing Courses

Maybe then he will agree to continue the maintenance without contacting the CSA because if you do, there is a chance as he's self employed he may make it difficult to sort the child support out ... not to mention how rubbish the CSA can be.

If she is doing an advanced course then unfortunately he doesn't have to pay child support from the time your Child Benefit stops and most children at that age have to get jobs to fund their lifestyle as much as they may not like it

mummy-gone-mad

She will be doing her A levels, so i suspect this means he is still liable. I have no idea why he has suddenly decided his liability is now over. Have had a discussion with my DD and she says he said that because she is out a lot now and "doing her own thing" its not going to cost me as much to support her. (lol) If anything it is going to cost me more now she will be at college!!... does any one know how CMAC will be conducting themselves... Is it similar to CS2?
Have thought about the e mail and have compiled it, but my finger is just hovering over the send button at the moment as i know there will be fireworks when it starts, as i have stated the law and made vague threats...

shell_542

It could be that he just thinks maintenance stops when they go onto college and are old enough to start paying their own way. As long as the threats aren't over the top I'd just send it. If it's just stating if you don't pay I'll ring the CSA then you're just being honest.

enemes

mummy-gone-mad wrote: »

She will be doing her A levels, so i suspect this means he is still liable.

Definitely!

mummy-gone-mad wrote: »

he said that because she is out a lot now and "doing her own thing" its not going to cost me as much to support her.

He's having a larf!!

nametaken

Will she be getting the EMA? Perhaps he thinks if she gets this his liability ends.

mummy-gone-mad

Thanks everyone, he does know he has to pay till DD is 19, because she has told him this, and all he said was that he has "done his bit".. He has never been a really good dad, he proudly announced once that him and his mate had formed a group called "The crap dad`s club"... I have never stopped him from seeing his DD but he has never been a stable influence in her life. She has consequently grown into a very mature well balanced girl who can see her father for what he is.

mummy-gone-mad

nametaken wrote: »

Will she be getting the EMA? Perhaps he thinks if she gets this his liability ends.

We are unsure... we have yet to hear from them as there was a mix up when DD filled the form in... Am not so sure if he even knows about EMA

nametaken

:mad:"done his bit"

you wanna tell him a child is for life, not just for 0-16