Advice Please?

Wageslave_2

Hi there,

I'm hoping you very knowledgeable people can give me some advice. I'm divorced and my own children are all grown up, so no financial issues there at all. At the moment I'm living alone, but I'd quite like to move in with my guy in the future, and we plan to get married at some point in the future.

He has children also from a previous relationship, but pays child support for only one, who is nearly 13. He is self employed and claiming tax credits so his ex has a limited claim on him at present. What worries me is if we move in together can my salary and assets be taken into account when making a calculation for child support? I doubt we'd be able to claim tax credits as a couple as I have a decent salary.

If this is the case, what would people advise? To be honest, she's being so dreadful over other issues, that we'd rather live apart for as long as we need to rather than pay her another brass farthing.

If we do go ahead and move in together, is there any way of minimizing the impact?

Thanks!

HappyMJ

No your salary will not be taken into account. He will be required to pay a percentage of his own profits from his self employment. If he were to choose not to work and live off your income then you are not required to make any payments to the mother of his children. Not exactly fair for the children but that's the way it is.

Assets are not taken into account when calculating child support payments. Income from assets can be taken into account in a variation so if you keep any assets in your name then you won't be required to pay any part of the income from those assets to the mother of his child.

Caz3121

he may actually be assessed at a lower amount if his income is reduced due to loss of tax credits

Lioness_Twinkletoes

He sounds like a prize catch.

FBaby

You mean he claims working tax credits? He won't have to pay more maintenance to his ex but won't be able to claim tax credits any longer. Sounds like he is contributing little at the moment so it sounds like his child is currently being supported by her, her partner (because in the case of a resident step parent, their income IS taken into account), or the State. If it is the first two, it might explain why she is not most co-operative as an ex. A brass farthing doesn't raise a child.

Jim3960

Hi,

Which CSA case is your partner currently on?

The reason ask is, if your partner is under CSA 1 their partners income is used for their assessment.

"Partner income is only considered in CS1 cases. Those cases on CS2 or CS3 will NOT involve partner income in any manner, and CSA staff should not be requesting any such information"

I am 95% sure it will be CSA 2, it depends when the case was opened.

Jim3960

MataNui

Even in CSA 1 there is no obligation to provide partner income. There is a space on the form and it makes out that it is required but its not. You dont have to provide it if you dont want to and they have no legal right to demand it.

I agree with Caz3121. When he loses the entitlement to tax credits his assess-able income will reduce meaning his payments should be lower.