CSA Questions

Offshoredanny

Hi, new poster here, I hope someone can answer a quick couple of questions that I have.

I've recently split with my wife and she's turning the screw regarding me seeing my daughter and payments.

I pay regularly and on time. Arguably more than she would get via the CSA. But she's smelling more money and is trying to make my life hell. I have my daughter 100% in my two weeks off. I buy all of her clothes, take her to all sorts of classes etc. she is never short of anything.

Every penny I earn is for her long term future and not on her mums nights out! I will always pay my way but do not want the hassle of CSA.

A couple of questions.

The company I work for is registered in Cyprus but i work in British waters. If I was to open a Maltese bank account, could the CSA still take what they want? I will stress again that I will continue to pay her.

Also if I put more money in my pension, will it reduce te amount that she can claim?

Thanks for taking the time to read

PreludeForTimeFeelers

Are you registered as a resident in the UK still? Do you pay UK tax and National Insurance contributions?

FBaby

I don't understand. If by going to the csa you will end up paying less, why are you trying to reduce your taxable income?

Offshoredanny

Yes I'm a uk resident, I guess that answers the question.

I'm just panicking. I've done the online calculator and its about what I'm paying but friends have said its not accurate and ill be paying a lot more.

I've never had dealings with the CSA but have heard some horror stories. She's always trying to "screw" me over for something.

Like I said I always pay and there's a chance it may be less but knowing her she's up to something. I know she uses my daughters money for her nights out etc and I'm still waiting to see the things my daughter needed like a new pram that I paid for.

With her there's no smoke without fire

Hopefully it all works out well

FBaby

It is accurate, 15% of your net income minus 1/7 per night the child is with you.

If you believe that she is on to 'screw' you, then you are much better off going to the csa. What you need to be careful about is that you will be liable to pay from the moment she makes a claim, so make sure you stop paying her from the time you get notification and put the money aside so you can pay any arrears if it takes them time to assess your case.

Then set up a direct debit monthly and you can't forget about it.

In the end, if you are paying less than she would have calculated, she is not doing anything wrong by expecting that amount. You clearly have made up your mind that she is on a mission to make your life a misery rather than claiming what your daughter is entitled to receive.

My advice would be to try as much as you can to get this out of your mind. This woman will be in your life for many more years. By having a child together, it means that you might have separated so you don't have to share your life with her any longer, but not got away from having to get along with her enough to make it best for your child. The more you are at war with her, the worse it will be all around for your child. The 'yes, but it's her fault, she's started it etc....' is something to move away from as once you have a child, you have to grow up yourself.

CSAworkerx

Fbaby is wrong about one thing, Your not liable from when she makes an application, your liable from when we first contact you, by post or phone, As for your circumstances, I was under the impression the nrp needs to be habitually resident in the uk to enforce CM, or, if the nrp works aborad but for a british company, we can still act. If your company is based in cyprus and doesnt pay any british tax contributions ( as you work in british waters, they probly do ) we can probly still enforce CM, what you DO need to be aware of, if you have an address in the UK and we cannot contact you by phone, we will send documents to the uk address, that is the day you become liable, and if your not in the country youll have a headache trying to explain this to some caseworkers.

Theoretically yes, more you pay into your pension, less the assessment will be, unless we can blatently see you have only done this to reduce CM drastically, by this i mean if you normally earn 2000 a month net and pay 200 into a pension, then when we get involed you reduce ure net to 200 and pay 2200 into your pension, you could be in trouble.

Best advice i can give is if you know the csa have been contacted, to ring us and tell us your overseas, otherwise you may be liable and not know it.