I need a bit of advice please

LandOfGreenGinger

Hello all,
My current situation is that I separated from the mother of my child approximately two years ago. At the time we mutually agreed that no maintenance would be paid, we'd share the custody of my child yet she'd get the child benefit, working tax credits etc.

Fast forward to today and my ex is now asking for maintenance, I have no issue with this, circumstances change after all.
So I went and used the CMS calculator and it returned a figure of £16pw, I offered this to her in an informal arrangement of a monthly supply of clothes, school dinners and hair cuts etc. Yet she point blank refused. Her demands fluctuate...the last she communicated was a two year back payment of approx £1600 together with £16pw as well as a monthly contribution to clothing, and other activities he does solely with her, otherwise she will get the CSA involved. Presently there is no CSA or CMS case.

So I have few questions;

1. If she contacted the CSA today and opened a case, would they add 2 years worth of arrears to the account?
2. Would a maintenance payment cover the cost of clothing as well as activities done with her? I am under the impression maintenance covers everything but medical and educational fees

Any advice would be brilliant, thank you.

medsec_222

She won't be able to back date arrears. Payments only start from the date the claim is registered with the CSA and the paying parent is contacted. As far as I am aware, the child maintenance amount covers everything, and if fathers wish to provide extras that is up to them.

PreludeForTimeFeelers

LandOfGreenGinger wrote: »

Hello all,
My current situation is that I separated from the mother of my child approximately two years ago. At the time we mutually agreed that no maintenance would be paid, we'd share the custody of my child yet she'd get the child benefit, working tax credits etc.

Fast forward to today and my ex is now asking for maintenance, I have no issue with this, circumstances change after all.
So I went and used the CMS calculator and it returned a figure of £16pw, I offered this to her in an informal arrangement of a monthly supply of clothes, school dinners and hair cuts etc. Yet she point blank refused. Her demands fluctuate...the last she communicated was a two year back payment of approx £1600 together with £16pw as well as a monthly contribution to clothing, and other activities he does solely with her, otherwise she will get the CSA involved. Presently there is no CSA or CMS case.

So I have few questions;

1. If she contacted the CSA today and opened a case, would they add 2 years worth of arrears to the account?
2. Would a maintenance payment cover the cost of clothing as well as activities done with her? I am under the impression maintenance covers everything but medical and educational fees

Any advice would be brilliant, thank you.

1) If there's never been a case open so far then there won't be any back payments that could be enforced, it was a private agreement between you and your ex.
2) Your maintenance would be classed as your minimum contribution towards everything. As it would be calculated based on your income then anything else you could give would be at your own discretion.

LandOfGreenGinger

Thanks for all the help folks.
As far as I'm aware she still hasn't been in touch with CSA, I'm leaning towards the idea she was using it as a threat to try and get back payment from me, but I've opened a separate savings account for him now with the £16 going in each week,
Thanks again

jacklink

you'd probably be better off sending that £16 each week through standing order through the csa, then they can see money going in

good luck on the hard road ahead