Help Please! CSA are going to destroy my family!

shell_542

Private DNA tests done with a reputable firm, like Cellmark, are approx 400 - 500 pounds.

kaya

shell_542 wrote: »

Private DNA tests done with a reputable firm, like Cellmark, are approx 400 - 500 pounds.

Sounds like a job for Jeremy Kyle, i think the dna tests there are free

shell_542

I think the appearance on the show would put many people off going down that route, I know I would never be that desperate lol

fabforty

Hi there. You describe the situation with your ex-partner and his 13p payment and then you say '..but that isn't the problem'. I disagree, I think that is the problem. I'll explain why.

What it comes down to, is that your partner is being asked to pay £44 a week in child support, which on the face of it does not seem unreasonable. All of the other things that you mention - who his daughter lived with previously, their previous relationship, debts, your ex and his 13p a week payment, your bills, his ex going out every week, her money etc - are not relevant here. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a fan of the CSA (my partner has been seriously shafted by them) but the assessment is based purely on your partners income. Even if his ex is a very rich woman, it is still right that your partner should pay to support his child and £44 p.w seems fair. Likewise with the £700 back pay. As social services paid a family member to raise his child for eight years - with the mother contributing nothing and your partner chipping in with money for clothes and trips - £700 doesn't seem like a lot to cover the cost of raising a child. Your ability to pay that is another matter. You shoud be able to negotiate paying in installments. I understand your frustration but the reality is that with three children between you - including two in the home - and your husband earning £260 p.w. you can't afford to stay at home - but very few parents can. To be honest I don't think that you blame his ex partner for that, as she is only receiving £44.p.w from you (have I misunderstood this?)

The real problem is caused by the fact that the father of your child contributes nothing to towards her care - which with you not working effectively means that this child (your 2 year old) is financially unsupported - neither parent is paying anything towards her keep. I'm not having a go, but your partner's paying £44 a week for his daughter really isn't the cause of your financial worries.

Can you explain about the DNA test - who needs it and why - and perhaps someonelse can advise you on it?

Are you claiming everything that you might be entitled to - working tax credit, child tax credit?

Edit: Did the CSA explain why your ex is only paying such a paltrey pitiful amount? Is he working and have you looked into having this increased?

shell_542

Fabforty, the OP has explained about the DNA test in others posts on this thread.

fabforty

shell_542 wrote: »

Fabforty, the OP has explained about the DNA test in others posts on this thread.

Yes I know. My computer froze so OPs subsequent posts over took mine - there were no replies when I first tried to post .

Kimitatsu

You have had some great advice on here - as always guys!

YM - if you want to dispute parentage you need to do it now.

You need to appeal the CSA decision and get them to take into account the children in the household.

I work out that when they get the calculation right then you should be paying £31.20 a week for the child, so realistically you need to be putting that away each week in case the DNA test comes back as positive.

There is a 2 year steer to recoup the arrears so that is where the extra comes from it works to about £7 a week for the arrears of £700. Unfortunately if the liability is proven then it has to be paid.

You have a couple of options, chase YOUR ex for proper maintenance, ensure you are claiming all you are entitled to (but be aware CTC are taken into account for the CSA), is there any chance you could get a part time job? Anything you earn would not be taken into account for the CSA assesment and your eldest will soon be eligible for free nursery placements.

If she is harassing your OH at work then seek legal advice for a restraining order, on the salary you have you should be able to get legal aid. However contact and maintenance are not linked, has your OH seen his daughter in the last 8 years? If not then a contact order may be hard to get.

bdt1

Maybe you should consider an injunction against yours husbands ex, this is a route we have had to follow.

We were advised many years ago to log and call Police each time the ex wrote nasty letters, turned up threatening at our home, making threatening phone calls/texts and when on a few occasions she assaulted me and my wife.

We eventually got the injunction, and touch wood, it has kept her quiet up to now, but for how long who knows?????

catenorfolk

shouldnt your partner have been paying this £44 all along to his family who were looking after his child in the first place instead of social securty paying them???? I think he has been very lucky getting away with it for soo long anyway!!

13Kent

I would stay well away from a private agreement with her - if you give her money privately and she still goes to the CSA and tells them you have given her nothing in our experience the CSA will believe her, and you will end up with an even higher arrears bill.