Parental contribution..does this sound right?

Benny24 · 19 March 2007 at 7:08PM

Just a bit of a 'feeler' question, as I have no idea about the monthly costs of child raising, and the amount my BIL pays seems a lot to me.

He is divorced, she got the house he got to keep his pension.
They have one child, he has the child every weekend (he travels 100 miles to pick her up on the Friday night and travels back to his place, then returns her on the Sunday evening). He also has her for every school holiday.
The ex has re married. BIL adores his daughter, and is constantly afraid ex will stop him seeing her.

He pays £800 a month to his ex.:eek: (shock to me!) In no way does he begrudge his daughter any money, and would give her the world. BUT he is constantly skint and struggling with living, and he does question if the money he gives is going soley for his daughters 'upkeep' as it were, as ex seems to be having lots of holidays abroad when BIL has daughter on the holidays.

Is £800 a lot per month? What would be a more reasonable amount, so that he can manage a bit better?

I have suggested he lower the amount but to what? and then put extra he has into an account in his daughters name to ensure she has money perhaps to help with future finance....university etc..

Any thoughts gratefully received.:T

Lusignan · 19 March 2007 at 7:10PM

What percentage of his salary is £800? Who decided on that amount? Was it the CSA? We pay 20% out of DH's net salary for his two children to his ex.

Benny24 · 19 March 2007 at 7:16PM

It is not through the CSA. This amount is between BIL and Ex. His salary is £1800 take home.

thesaint · 19 March 2007 at 7:16PM

How was the payment of £800 decided, he would pay 15% of his wages as a starting point if the CSA were to be involved, less depending on how many nights he has his daughter.

Benny24 · 19 March 2007 at 7:18PM

Ex has daughter four nights a week in school time only. BIL has her the rest of the time.

alwaysonthego_2 · 19 March 2007 at 7:22PM

sounds alot of money for one child

Lusignan · 19 March 2007 at 7:25PM

Yep sounds like he's paying too much - he should tell the ex that he can't afford it and that CSA guidelines suggest £270 instead (15%).

thesaint · 19 March 2007 at 7:25PM

If he earns £1800 per month, He is paying far too much. I can not post links at the moment, but 'google' 'CSA' their is a calculator on their website which will give an approximation of what he would pay through them.