Maintenance Arrangements - any one have experience?

zzzLazyDaisy

it is also a side issue because the division of property and pensions has already been dealt with and he got a larger share of the property, which is what you'd expect when he is the parent with care.

This issue relates only to maintenance and what OP should be paying if she is not working - which is no more than a nominal amount, if that. The advice would be exactly the same if the situation was reversed.

smileypigface

Thanks everybody for posting and giving me lots of food for thought - it always helps to look at the situation through independent eyes.

I can see the downfall in my original idea - the bottom line being that you can't have a full and final settlement where child maintenance is concerned.

I am obviously going to have to tell my ex as soon as possible - and give him a chance to mull it over and think about what he would like to do. You never know, he may shock the life out of me and announce he's going to come off benefits and work full time ......... hmm, anyone see the flying pig!!!

I understand what people have said about his choice not to work longer hours - it is a mixture of his personal preference to work as little as possible and my agreement with this because it gives the benefit to our children that they don't come home to an empty house. Yes, perhaps I should be thinking, now that youngest is coming up for 12 that it is reasonable for him to be working more hours .... but it's not nice to be the one forcing his hand!!

Thanks again for all your views - much appreciated x

daska

I don't know if it would help to clarify any thoughts but they're gradually bringing the youngest child's qualifying age for IS down to encourage more parents back into work. As your youngest is over 10 years old he'd already be under pressure from the DWP/JCP so it's not just you forcing his hand. At some point he will need to fend for himself and the sooner he starts the easier he will find it to adapt.