Advice on Maintenance

CONCERNEDDAD_2

Hi Everyone,

I am new here so hello,

I have some concerns that i hope you fine people can offer some advice. So my overview for you
I am an NRP and had paid CSA payments by Deduction of earnings for many years, My Daughter has just turned 16, I have contact with her but only see her when on school holidays as we are in different parts of the country.

The CSA were always difficult and delayed payments to my ex and we agreed some time ago to come off the CSA and i would pay direct this has been the case for the last 2 or 3 years.

I think that my Ex who has never worked has ensured my daughter is enrolled in further education to ensure i keep paying. even though i know my daughter intends to drop out and pursue a career

What i would like to know is that now we are outside of the CSA can.....
1) i Cease Payment to my Ex but pay some money direct to my 16 year old daughter (my daughter never seems to have anything and as i see things my money should be hers, internet at home for school work for example should have come from my money and her mothers benefits pay for rent etc, i think my money goes on fags and booze and a car etc. my ex has another partner too. also note i am always buying things on top of what i pay and travel etc when she is with me for holidays plus mobile phone and stuff

2) by doing this will it force my ex to go back to the CSA, My thinking is she will not as a new case may open up a can of worms for her as she may be claiming for things she should not be

3) My other issue is that i am now with a new partner and we simply cant afford to live together. she is on benefits for disability and has two kids with learning disability's and she would lose most of that when we are officially together. i am the only earner on decent enough money but to provide for 3 kids and 2 partners is not open to me. the issue with my ex has put considerable strain on us. i want to do right by my daughter of course but i need a life myself with my new partner
Any advice would be gratefully received

This country seems to punish the ones that want to do right.

Crellow4

Was your case closed or did you simply move to a direct pay arrangement?

PreludeForTimeFeelers

Whether you have a fully closed case or just a case set to direct pay is the big decider, for me.

With regards to your ex wanting to open or reopen a case against you, this wouldn't affect what she could or couldn't claim, as child maintenance and benefits are unconnected these days.

jacklink

what ever happens your near the end of the (text removed by MSE Forum Team) and con of this and prior governments

CSAworkerx

1) Dont do this, Your legal obligation is to pay the mother of your child, and for her to use this money for the child, you cannot give money to the child and say its for maintanence, and if you admitted you did this over the phone it would not class as a payment.

2) yes she would go back 15 mins after you told her of ure plan to give the moeny to ure daughter, And we dont care what benefits shes on or if shes working, That doesnt affect anything to do with maintenance and we dont ask.

You asked for advice so here goes, Tell ure pwc you will pay her X, X being a figure you both decide, Tell her you will give half to the PWC directly for bills ect, and half to ure daughter, if she agrees, then make sure she phones and CLOSES the case, not switch to maintenance direct, but a closure, this means if for whatever reason down the line she decides she wants to come back through the agency, there wont be any money owed as its a new claim. If ure pwc doesnt agree then youll have to pay all the money to her, but make sure she closes the case.

Crellow4

Will you please spell 'your' correctly! Drives me mad.