Child maintenance increase

Fractal1

My son recently got a letter to increase his child maintenance amount for my grandson even though there are no changes inhis pay. We suspect that its due to his ex partner saying he is seeing less of his 16 year old son. She has recently blocked any ideas the rest of the family have suggested to the son about doing an apprenticeship and talked him into going to college for 2 years.We think she has taked my grandson out of seeing his dad during the week like he always has so he just sees him every other weekend. We think this is so she can continue receiving money. She works for a neighbour cash in hand but doesnt declare this and is able to go on holidays. My son cannot do any of this. He has a small house with a mortgage to pay and if he has to pay the increased amount he ll need to sell up as he wont be able to pay the mortgage or rent a house. He is at the end of his tether and is talking about selling the house and leaving his poorly paid job now
He has dealt with the CMS before when his ex told lies about the number of days my grandson spent with his dad but it just takes so long for them to do anything and he got into debt in the meantime.
Is there anything he could do?

gwynlas

Does his son live close enough to attend college from his dads, if so he could stay there a couple of times per week?
Anyone could report his ex partner working cash in hand.

Your son could take in a lodger and get tax free income from the rent a room scheme.

Fractal1

I think his ex has brainwashed my grandson into not staying at his dad's during the week. Probably so she can claim more. College is across town nearer his mums house bur is doable

Fractal1

If my son took in a lodger that would be using my grandsons room so he wouldn't be able to stay at all. The house is a tiny 2 up 2 down property

swingaloo

Fractal1 said:

My son recently got a letter to increase his child maintenance amount for my grandson even though there are no changes inhis pay. We suspect that its due to his ex partner saying he is seeing less of his 16 year old son. She has recently blocked any ideas the rest of the family have suggested to the son about doing an apprenticeship and talked him into going to college for 2 years.We think she has taked my grandson out of seeing his dad during the week like he always has so he just sees him every other weekend. We think this is so she can continue receiving money. She works for a neighbour cash in hand but doesnt declare this and is able to go on holidays. My son cannot do any of this. He has a small house with a mortgage to pay and if he has to pay the increased amount he ll need to sell up as he wont be able to pay the mortgage or rent a house. He is at the end of his tether and is talking about selling the house and leaving his poorly paid job now
He has dealt with the CMS before when his ex told lies about the number of days my grandson spent with his dad but it just takes so long for them to do anything and he got into debt in the meantime.
Is there anything he could do?

I know its easier said than done but you need to take all the emotion out of this. All the 'We think'. Maybe mum thinks it would be better in the long run if he went to college. Perhaps he has ideas for the future that mean he is better going to college. What she earns or declares is really nothing to do with you as is the fact that she can take holiday. 

It sounds like your son has got used to a reduced rate because of him having his son for a percentage of time but if your son did not see his son at all he would have to pay the full amount of maintenance based on is wage which is presumably what he is being asked to pay now.

Could he possible take on more work alongside the job he currently has or perhaps increase his hours if he cant take a lodger. Or try to find a job with better pay.

 My husband was in exactly the same position and we had to do without holidays for several years and lose out on a lot of his sons childhood due to his sons mums twisting. 

It wont last forever, his son is 16 now so perhaps looking for more work would be a better option than selling up.

sheramber

She has recently blocked any ideas the rest of the family have suggested to the son about doing an apprenticeship and talked him into going to college for 2 years


just because he hasn’t done who you have suggested doesn’t mean college is not the better suggestion for him. Or is not what he  wants to do. 

The boy should be doing what  he thinks is best for his future. Not what you or his mother decide. 

Northern_Wanderer

At age 16, it could very well be the young person's want to spend less time with his father, because a teen generally wants to spend thier time with friends. Less nights at dads = a recalculation of CM. Teens are also able to make their own decisions about education. As stated, what the ex does/ earns or spends on has absoltulty nothing to do with the childs father.