We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

CHILD MAINTENANCE

Options
Hello all.
I pay my ex £330 per month child maintenance. I take home £1638 a month after tax yet she still has this perception that's it's not enough. That I should still pay for uniforms etc on top of that.
To me the £330 is for uniforms and stuff like that.
What are your thoughts?
«13

Comments

  • There is a calculator on the CMS website that you can use to work out what the government expects you to be contributing in maintenance. This will be based on your income and on the amount of nights your child(ren) spends with you, as well as other things. The calculation is based on your income pre-tax. 

    It's up to you whether you pay more than that or not. Some people do, some don't. Don't forget that the cost of bringing up a child includes keeping a roof over their head, keeping them warm, feeding them etc. Not just the easily seen things like uniforms. 

    If you choose to pay the minimum that the government calculates then she can't insist you pay more. You'll have to decide.
  • Bringvaluetome
    Bringvaluetome Posts: 126 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 16 February 2020 at 2:00PM
    Doraspenlow - thanks for the response. I have used the calculator and that's how I arrived at £330.
    I totally understand what the payment is for. She works 20 hours a week, has universal credits, council tax reduction, 80% off childcare + me doing some school runs and watching them some days when she is at work. Also other benefits. 
    I feel I contribute enough. I was the one that was asked to leave yet even 6 months on I'm left to feel that i walked out on them.
  • I know it's difficult, but you have to try to separate the circumstances of your break up from ongoing maintenance and parenting issues. Also, it doesn't matter how much money she has or where she gets it from. If she was a millionaire you would still be expected to pay your share. If you are paying what's required then she can consider herself luckier than many parents with care, sadly. 
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,571 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's up to you whether you pay more than that or not. Some people do, some don't. Don't forget that the cost of bringing up a child includes keeping a roof over their head, keeping them warm, feeding them etc. Not just the easily seen things like uniforms. 

    Don't forget that the parent without care also has to keep a roof over their head, feed themselves, keep warm and pay all expenses related to going to work.

  • -Thank you Dora 
    -Mojisola - exactly! I need a chuck of my salary to live too. I am currently living with parents at the moment however things will get a lot tighter when I have my own place / in  a relationship etc.
  • Mojisola said:
    It's up to you whether you pay more than that or not. Some people do, some don't. Don't forget that the cost of bringing up a child includes keeping a roof over their head, keeping them warm, feeding them etc. Not just the easily seen things like uniforms. 

    Don't forget that the parent without care also has to keep a roof over their head, feed themselves, keep warm and pay all expenses related to going to work.

    Yes, absolutely. That's why each parent without care has to make their own decisions once they have paid the minimum required. We all have different circumstances. I think as long as they are paying the minimum they can't really be criticised. 
  • So using the CMS calculator is the best way to work out the minimum payment required?
  • If you are watching them some days ask to keep them overnight as that will be taken into account wth your payments you provide.  Maybe try to go down route of shared care where she has some days and you have other.  It is a difficult one wth cms as no set rules just for day to day care which could cover anything.  
  • Bringvaluetome
    Bringvaluetome Posts: 126 Forumite
    Third Anniversary 100 Posts
    edited 16 February 2020 at 4:19PM
    I believe I have been over paying on child maintenance. On the calculator I put in gross income and actually it's total taxable income after pension contribution but before tax. So on a salary of £24,970 and taxable income of £11,221, it works out to be £177 per month due not £330. 
    It's totally my fault.
    Does this make sense to anyone?
  • I believe I have been over paying on child maintenance. On the calculator I put in gross income and actually it's total taxable income after pension contribution but before tax. So on a salary of £24,970 and taxable income of £11,221, it works out to be £177 per month due not £330. 
    It's totally my fault.
    Does this make sense to anyone?
    So you put £13700 into a pension each year?
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.