What to pay

Soubrette

Just to expand on shell's question above - a CSA claim only starts when the NRP is contacted by the CSA (unless the PWC is on benefits). If neither have you been using CSA (and she's not on benefit) then you'll be ok - private arrangements are fine as long as the Government gets its cut when benefits are involved.

Set up a standing order saying 'child maintenance for <name of child>. Do it asap.

Sou

maggied_2

Oh that's quite a relief (and Sou - SO was set up about 6 months ago!).

I think she talked about contacting CSA many years ago but they made a private arrangement instead.

So (just to confirm) - because they've had a private arrangement even if she called the CSA tomorrow and said he hadn't been paying her there's nothing they could do? I'm quite surprised by that.

shell_542

Unless somehow a case was opened without your partner's knowledge, for example if she was on income support and they automatically opened it and the letters magically didn't get to him ... then no. The CSA are only concerned about maintenance accruing from the day they attempt to contact the NRP after a PWC opens the case.

She can complain he's not been paying her but they will tell her he's not liable for payment through them until the day they send a letter to him ... and quite frankly, if he hadn't been paying for god knows how many years like she claims, she should have called the CSA sooner if it bothered her that much.

maggied_2

Thanks Shell - good to know. She hasn't suggested it but we tend to work on the worst case scenario and that way we're prepared