Risky to overpay child support?

RoadBadger

CMS calculator comes out at £490 per month, although that is abnormally low because much of my income is from property lettings and I had two major renovations to pay for in the last reported tax year which have dragged this down as a one-off.

My ex is very stressed and pleading poverty after paying me my share of the house, which I do believe. She claims she needs £1300 plus nursery fees just to stay afloat. This is a serious stretch for me. Things are up and down between us, ranging from co-operation and warmth, to anger and threats from her.

I can't commit to that forever but am willing to give extra help in the short term, to help her out and ease the tension. Is this risky though? Could I be forced to pay it forever even if it's unaffordable for me? In other words, is kindness a mistake in this situation? The problem is if she can't make ends meet she's sure to try to move away near family and to try to take the children with her.

Thank you

caprikid1

Focus on your child / children and how best to support them.

How old is the child ?

Cannot see any risk of paying more to you but it could affect any benefits she may be entitled to.

"abnormally low because much of my income is from property lettings and I had two major renovations".

I would suggest a new accountant, those sound like capital expenses that should not affect your rental income, if you don't have an accountant you may need to read the rules / seek advice.

RoadBadger

Thanks for the reply. Children are 3 and nearly 5.

When I said major renovations, I just meant new carpets and full redecoration and boilers, and some electrics, a few new windows, some roof repairs. I wasn't sure what you meant that these should not affect rental income? They were claimed as maintenance expenses.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81898952#Comment_81898952

ellenvan

Is your ex claiming all the benefits she would be entitled to. If not helping her look into this would be an idea.

caprikid1

"When I said major renovations, I just meant new carpets and full redecoration and boilers, and some electrics, a few new windows, some roof repairs. I wasn't sure what you meant that these should not affect rental income? They were claimed as maintenance expenses."

Were these expenses prior to letting the property for the first time ?

RoadBadger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899012#Comment_81899012

Thank you, she says she's not entitled to any - in that awkward earnings bracket of earning too much to get any benefits but not enough to survive.

RoadBadger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81899037#Comment_81899037

No these were after a long period of letting, exploiting voids to to bring them up to date. Thank you

sheramber

Is she using tax free childcare?

The 3 year old is entitled to 15 hours free childcare for 38 weeks.

Anybody can add to the tax free childcare account so you could pay directly into it to support the nursery fees.

caprikid1

"CMS calculator comes out at £490 per month, although that is abnormally low because much of my income is from property lettings and I had two major renovations to pay for in the last reported tax year which have dragged this down as a one-off."

If you remove the abnormal lettings expenses what does the maintenance payments come to.

Ultimately you have two young children and you should be doing your best to support them, forget what the government says , you should both do an income outgoings statement and sit down and work this out. I assume you are not 50/50 in terms of childcare responsibilities ?

Are you helping out in other ways ? Nursery pickups etc ?

RoadBadger

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81900019#Comment_81900019

If you remove the abnormal lettings expenses, CMS comes to about 600. I offered her 1,100, she went ballistic, wants 1,300, plus lion's share of nursery (£450). Ideally wants "1500 + nursery".

I have always done nearly all nursery pickups and drop offs, and countless hours of childcare, I cover her antisocial shifts, nights away etc. Thanks