Child moving to other parents home - what to change?

golddustmedia

Hello,

I'm just after a pointer in the right direction.

I have a child (8 years) with my ex wife. For the last 6 years she has been resident with my ex however she's about to move home to live with me full time instead.

Since separation I've paid maintenance direct to my ex, while she was also in receipt of any benefits (not sure what but I'd assume child benefit and possibly other child tax credits).

I'm not expecting my ex to voluntarily change anything she claims for or receives, nor am I expecting her to pay me any maintenance unless I force it via the CSA. Any contact with her is difficult and I very much want to remain financially distanced from her.

Anyway, I would like to know what changes I need to advise formally and indeed what credits or benefits I should apply for when my child comes to live with me.

My own circumstances, I am married with 2 younger children and I work full time. My wife works part time. I believe our family income (jointly about £40k) may exclude us from receiving anything.

golddustmedia

Thanks, I doubt my ex will notify HMRC to end her claim, nor assist me with making one, so I'll just have to make a claim and see what happens on that one.

TBagpuss

Is the change due to a court order? Or an agreement with your ex?

If so, then attach a copy of the order, or the email or letter confirming the change, to you application for child benefit and to any letter you send to CSA to inform them of the change.

If not, then it may be worth notifying your child's GP and school of the change of address, and then seeing if they can produce something which shows her home address (i.e. your address).

In relation both to the CSA and to DWP make sure that you *write* to them telling them of the change, and the date it will/has taken place. Ask for an acknowledgment and keep a copy of the letter. That way, there is less likely to be any issue about whether or when they were notified.

PlymouthMaid

Don't forget about things like dentist or any clubs she may go to as they need up to date contact details too. Not so urgent to sort out but, I expect, easy to overlook.

DigForVictory

Sort:
Tax Credits (if your ex continues to claim, the balance will come down on who has the day to day care, does her laundry, arranges GP appointments, is the known contact for school etc - no prizes for guessing what I was doing last week.)
Child Benefits (*may* work *with* Child Benefits, but may not - if in doubt, duplicate!)
Register her with your GP
Likewise with your dentist
Notify school, any childcare provider, and any clubs eg Scouts as the primary contact.

Get as much as possible confirmed & date stamped...
Hoping it's a relatively easy transition for you both.

golddustmedia

Thanks All.

Its an agreement with the ex, realistically moving as she longer fits in the other house since the ex had more children with her partner.

It's a long relocation so change of school as well as all the other necessities.

Thanks for the advice.