advice needed please

whitevanmann

Hi a bit long winded bit ill try my best at explaining it. I have 3 children to my ex (almost divorced) we have been separated 15 months, I have been paying csa since February, before that I was paying half the mortgage and giving her money towards my kids. Until she decided she wanted me to sign the house over to her, I refused so she got the csa involved, since then she told my kids they was moving unless I signed the house over, which they didn't want to move so I signed it over for my kids to be happy as it's their home, my ex is working and earns a good wage, she also claims single person tax credit, even tho she's had a new partner for the past 12 months, who is living there at least 5days a week, she has bought a new car and had holidays abroad just her and new partner. In the meantime I've had to spend the last year on my parents couch and sell my car because I can't afford it, I take home £1060 a month of which£310 comes out csa, I have tried to afford my own place but just can't with what money I have left, ( rent, bills, and being able to feed myself, when I see my kids once a week I can barely afford to treat them or take them out, and living on my parents couch is awkward spending every Sunday there, I do not begrudge posting for my kids they are mine and I will give them everything I can, I just find it so unfair how csa take nothing else into account, my eldest turns 18 tomorrow but still has 1 year left in college, Christmas is round the corner, I want to be able to make these times happy for them, I have been told I am not eligible to claim working tax credits, or any other kind. Can any body advise me on what more I can do as this is all getting out of hand. Just to add I don't begrudge paying for my children I would pay more of I knew it was going into their bank accounts or directly to them. Thanks in advance to you replies.

shoe*diva79

If child benefit is being claimed for all 3 then on CSA2 you are liable for 25% of your wage in CM payments. Seems your paying more then that? Have you arrears? Do the children stay overnight with youu as you would get a small discount for that to? Are you paying her direct or to the CSA or via DEO?

shoe*diva79

Also, assume you have stopped paying half the mortgage now if you have signed house to your ex (she will have had to take out her own mortgage to be able to do this)

Her partner is irrespective, as is her other income.

25% of your take home is approx £265 a month leaving you £795 a month. Does seem a small amount but you have 3 kids and kids are expensive.

If your older one is no longer in education then your payments wil drop to 20% less deductions for overnight stays. I can only see that you must have arrears to be paying £310 a month.

FBaby

This is a low salary. Are you working full-time? The problem is not so much what you pay for your children, if you think of it, it's only £100 per child per month, that doesn't go very far at all. The problem is your income which just isn't much at all. Has it reduced since you separated?