child benefit for both parents

Notmyrealname

Welcome to my brothers situation with his ex. He gets to pay 50% of the costs of bringing them up but she gets all the child benefit and tax credits, both CTC and WTC whilst he has to do it all on his wage.

And she was the cause of the marriage breakdown!

clearingout

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Welcome to my brothers situation with his ex. He gets to pay 50% of the costs of bringing them up but she gets all the child benefit and tax credits, both CTC and WTC whilst he has to do it all on his wage.

And she was the cause of the marriage breakdown!

if the OP's partner's ex (what a mouthful that was!) is unlikely to retain her child benefit next year, then she probably doesn't receive tax credits or much tax credit. She certainly won't be getting working tax credit or help with her childcare costs.

Divorce is 'no blame' in this country. Trying to proportion blame on this basis serves again to do little more than crank up the annoyance and anger, which will only have a negative impact on the children concerned. Relationships breakdown - sometimes in an incredibly distressing and unsatisfactory way for one party - all that really matters is that the children are able to retain a good relationship with both their parents and that one way or another, their needs are met. Spare a thought for those of us who receive no maintenance and have to explain to our children that their father's would prefer to be with their 'new' family over them.

MissMoneypenny

Notmyrealname wrote: »

Welcome to my brothers situation with his ex. He gets to pay 50% of the costs of bringing them up but she gets all the child benefit and tax credits, both CTC and WTC whilst he has to do it all on his wage.

Then perhaps he should go through the CSA? The CSA payments are low and those payments won't be anywhere near 50% of the cost of raising his children.

50% of marriages fail and it is usually the taxpayer who then steps in to pay for the children. As it should do when a parent is unable or unwilling to pay 100% for their children.

FBaby

If he asked -clearly very quickly- for CB to be transferred to him I can understand her reaction. It isn't morefor out to be under his name than hers. As out isn't possible to be split from the source it needs to be aged what the parent who receives it will pay that is a joint cost for example School meals. Re.maintenance if she earns more it is him who could potentially request maintenance from here although morally this is another matter. The logic in this case would be if he earns less for him to claim CB if it means he can claim more tax credits but should then bare most of joint costs like activities etc... shared maintenance requires even morethan traditional arrangements to work together and compromise. I am not sure from the tone of your message that it is you're position in which case it would be better to remove yourself from these discussions and leave it to the dad.

lucyj2011

clearingout wrote: »

Spare a thought for those of us who receive no maintenance and have to explain to our children that their father's would prefer to be with their 'new' family over them.

i understand what you are saying totally, i have finally started receiving CSA from my eldest 2 childrens father after trying for 10yrs. they have not seen him for over 11yrs. his choice.

i dont work atm and also have 3 children who live with me full time.
my partner didnt ask his ex to change the CB into his name, he simply asked for half of it and to now stop paying maintenance. she lives with her new man and their baby. my partner has given her money since he left her and she hasnt asked him to contribute to any extras.

maybe we will just have to dispute the CB then and wait to see if her claim for it does end. how we will find out is another matter though as there is no way she would say

rogerblack

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

I think they were talking about staggering the amount earned instead of just one cut-off point, so she might still get CB.

Another wrinkle.
If she wishes to be awkward, she can claim child benefit at any income.
She'll just have to pay it back in tax.

Hmm71

MissMoneypenny wrote: »

Then perhaps he should go through the CSA? The CSA payments are low and those payments won't be anywhere near 50% of the cost of raising his children.

50% of marriages fail and it is usually the taxpayer who then steps in to pay for the children. As it should do when a parent is unable or unwilling to pay 100% for their children.

There is now a complete disregard in place when it comes to benefits and child maintenance so the taxpayer is still stepping in for the children.

clearingout

lucyj2011 wrote: »

i understand what you are saying totally, i have finally started receiving CSA from my eldest 2 childrens father after trying for 10yrs. they have not seen him for over 11yrs. his choice.

i dont work atm and also have 3 children who live with me full time.
my partner didnt ask his ex to change the CB into his name, he simply asked for half of it and to now stop paying maintenance. she lives with her new man and their baby. my partner has given her money since he left her and she hasnt asked him to contribute to any extras.

maybe we will just have to dispute the CB then and wait to see if her claim for it does end. how we will find out is another matter though as there is no way she would say

has she actually said she's going to the CSA? If she hasn't said it, I'd just continue as normal but if she has gone to them, then it's worth stopping any money and wait for the assessment. If you have 3 children already in your household and the shared care arrangement, it will have a significant impact on what it is he has to pay.

It's very hard from all sides of the fence. I hope it works out for you all.

FBaby

lucyj2011 wrote: »

maybe we will just have to dispute the CB then and wait to see if her claim for it does end. how we will find out is another matter though as there is no way she would say

But you can't dispute CB if shared care is 50/50. She is as entitled as he is, so on which basis would they change it to him?

All he can do is come to an agreement with her, either to get half of it or to agree what she will pay out of it that in essence means he is contributing half to it.

As you state that you won residency (I am a bit puzzled about your statement 'my partner and I', he won as the dad, not you, but in any case....), it sounds like he took her to court for it and got it against her wishes, on this basis, maybe he could have used a bit of psychology, knowing she would be angry and therefore unlikely to be prepared to collaborate, and wait a few days before bringing up the subject?...

merlin68

Is it really worth the grief over a tenner.