What is the CSA child maintenance calculations based upon?

lindens

So if you use their calculator you put in number of children and number of nights per week you will look after them.
I guess that assumes they are living with the absent parent for those nights.
My DS's exGF works shifts so 2 nights a week he stays in HER house overnight to mind their 2 children. 1 other night a week he will have them at his place.
So if he puts in 3 nights its not fair on her as he is using her gas/electric/food/bed etc
But if he puts 1 night its not fair on him as he is actually having them 3 nights.
I'm not sure what is taken into account for that calculation so what figure would be fair for all. There is a difference of over £100 per month in those calculations on their website.

RAS

This is probably one of those situations where the two parents need to sit down and agree what they are going to use as the parameters.

He needs to keep detailed records and copies of e-mails and texts.

If she insists it is one night a week only then he needs to ask her whether she can get someone else to mind the children. it is in her interests to maximise her income for which she needs his help.

It might be that they agree he asks for the two night a week deduction? And makes sure he keeps records.

duchy

It's whose HOME the children are in .
Electric usage isn't a part of the equasion.
Forget where HE sleeps it's where the kids sleep ...... and he's not been paid for his time when he's caring for his children so unfair on him doesn't come into it.
Unless he pays the electric , gas, food, etc when he is caring for them at their home then I don't really understand why "unfair" comes into it. He's not out of pocket after all is he !

If they are planning a private arrangement and simply using the CSA figures as a guide then they can decide whatever they want between them - regardless of what anyone else thinks is fair or not (including Grandmothers )
He only provides a roof and light, heat, food for them for one night so the one night calculation is probably fair.

To expect to recieve a reduction of £100 a month in CSA liability for simply babysitting kids in their own home sounds really odd.
Presumably the one night is at the weekend and the two nights are for organizational and stability reasons and not "school" nights ?

lindens

RAS - this is only temporary until they can set things up properly. Her shift work worked well when they were a couple but probably wont when she is a single mum so i suspect she'll have to give the job up and find another one.
duchy - yes they are coming to a private agreement and just using the CSA figures as a guideline. I wasn't sure if the figures were only for the things you mention such as food/heating etc.
Presumably the one night is at the weekend and the two nights are for organizational and stability reasons and not "school" nights ? yes thats the case, the two shifts could be any of the 7 days of the week.

FBaby

Does it cost your son anything to look after his children at her house?

Top_Girl

As a PWC with a current CSA claim, in this circumstance, I'd say split the difference and call it 2 days with NRP.

On the grounds that PWC would need to arrange childcare at her own cost if their father didn't do it and it'd work out at roughly a day extra in their father's care.

FBaby

On the grounds that PWC would need to arrange childcare at her own cost if their father didn't do it and it'd work out at roughly a day extra in their father's care.

But if it was someone else looking after the children, it wouldn't cost him more either. Ultimately, it comes down to who pays for the children needs that evening/night/morning.

duchy

FBaby wrote: »

Does it cost your son anything to look after his children at her house?

This is the important question.
I think the OP is seeing it as her son is "giving up" his free time rather than seeing it is a child based calculation. It is who is providing shelter, food, heat and light etc for the children that night not who is physically in the house.

pinkshoes

Why don't they stay at his house those two nights to simplify the matter?

duchy

Maybe mum takes over in the mornings
Maybe Dad leaves too early for work to be practical on school nights
Maybe the kids need the stability of knowing where is home especially if they are little
Maybe Dad lives too far/doesn't have time to do the morning school run?

OP did imply it suited the kids better earlier in the thread post 4

lindens

duchy wrote: »

This is the important question.
I think the OP is seeing it as her son is "giving up" his free time rather than seeing it is a child based calculation. It is who is providing shelter, food, heat and light etc for the children that night not who is physically in the house.

yes this was exactly what i was thinking.

it's still early days at the moment and they are doing what is best for the kids, which is stability. when he gets his own place it will be different