Ave rates for child support

pinkypoopydoo

Having read through some of this forum, I'm beginning to think I'm being done by my ex. I've never gone through the CSA as my ex stated very clearly that if I did, he would resign from his job, so have been going very softly, softly with him for the last few years.

He initially agreed to pay £300 a month (we have 4 children), but he only paid that once, then dropped his payments down to £150, which he paid for a couple of months, before dropping down to £100. After 12 months, I persuaded him to lift the payments back up to £150, with the promise of £300 when we got divorced. Divorce is now being held up due to issues over the house, so I'm stuck on £150/month.

Am I being soft?! I don;t want to call in CSA because of horror stories I've heard, and his threat of leaving his job, but our children suffer now because he refuses to pay more than £150/month. He earns a decent enough wage (he was on £21,500/pa when we split 4 years ago. It will either be the same or more now). Anyone have any idea how much he would be due through CSA? When I looked, it asked me to input his salary with out tax/NI, and I have no idea how much he pays for either.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

As you have 4 kids your case would be on the new 2012 scheme. The calculator estimates £78 per week (assuming your ex has no other children, and no overnight stays).

Calculator link

One thing worth bearing in mind is that as far as I'm aware none of the posters here are on the new scheme, so maybe some of the horror stories won't apply.

pinkypoopydoo

That's right - having used that calculator that's what I get too - he has no other children, and has them one night a fortnight (his choice).

I guess I need to toughen up for the sake of our children. I just really can't afford to lose the £150/month I currently get.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

How reasonable is he? Can you send him a link to the CSA calculator and tell him that really he should be paying approx £338 per month, rather than the £150 per month, and that if he doesn't increase the amount then you'll have to contact the CSA?

Do you think that would spur him into action?

cookieshop

if I was you I would go thru the csa without giving him warning, because once you make the report about his work and what not, if he makes any changes AFTER you have already told them, then it will be classed as diversion of income and he will get in all sorts of trouble....

I had the same problem, my NRP owned his own company for 10 years, and within 6 days of him receiving the variation, he resigned, gave his 50% shares to his 'wife', signed his whole company over to his 'wife' and now says he doesn't work, but in fact he does, he still works at the same place, hes just on the books any more, so we are going to court on grounds of diversion and hopefully he will be found liable and be backdated a year...!!..it has taken 6 months, but in fairness, apparently that's quite quick, but the baby is 21 months old and haven't had a penny from him, so I hope we win, for the babys sake...xx

pinkypoopydoo

His state of mind can be questionable sometimes, so his periods of being reasonable need to be judged carefully. For example, he was fairly stable and reasonable when he agreed to the £300 initially, but something, somewhere knocked his mood within a few weeks of the agreement, hence the initial drop down to £100.

I guess then, the CSA root is the way to go, and just deal with any fallout when it happens.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

pinkypoopydoo wrote: »

His state of mind can be questionable sometimes, so his periods of being reasonable need to be judged carefully. For example, he was fairly stable and reasonable when he agreed to the £300 initially, but something, somewhere knocked his mood within a few weeks of the agreement, hence the initial drop down to £100.

I guess then, the CSA root is the way to go, and just deal with any fallout when it happens.

Unfortunately it does sound as though it'd be your best option. If you do, let us know how you get on as (to my knowledge) you'll be the first poster here on the new system.