1st time CMS help

@actd I know these are stupid questions it’s just I would love to be able to pay what I have to with no problems and no arrears 

Not stupid Qs at all. If you open a case, let CMS work out amount, then pay it on the date they tell you and ask them to provide you with the bank details of where you need to pay (they will obtain these from ex and send you a letter), you pay it and have the correct reference details, there will be no issues. Each month the CMS will assume you have made payment unless you ex says payment not received and informs them. If you've been paying then your ex won't do this but if she's that way inclined and does do so then the CMS will ask you for evidence. You then provide your bank statements as evidence and if required a letter from your bank confirming that the payments have been made for the agreed amount, on the agreed date to the agreed bank details. CMS will close the case and you carry on paying.

@Daddyup cheers for the help 

You have to factor in that at times there may be variables that lead to under and over payments such as changes in your salary, bonuses, overtime etc and as long as you notify the CMS of any changes greater than 25% then all other changes will be picked up at your annual review. At this point they will recalculate and then notify you of the new amount to pay for the following year. 

Until you open up a case you are not going to get the ball rolling and see how it works. 

@Daddyup yeah I understand I think if I did I’d be organised with it and make sure to avoid getting any added problems I just wouldn’t want a massive arrear dropped on me which obviously wouldn’t happen unless I just avoided paying completely or didn’t do as they say 

@Daddyup if it was to be the case that she was complaining it was a few days late due to the banks and other reasons out of my hands could I say to the cms that idk like to move onto collect and pay so it’s done through them and I don’t have to worry as much 

There's no guarantee what they may try to do, possibly by mistake, but as long as you can prove that you have paid what you have been told, and you specify that it's child maintenance (so they can't say it's a voluntary payment for something else), then you can argue your case. Realistically, if you are paying what they say, there is no reason why they would try to say you are in arrears.

@actd yeah I understand I just see a lot of forums online where dad are paying the rp has said they haven’t and the cms aren’t taking any proof and will not listen I get quite anxious and look at the worst possible outcome for things like me thinking I’m just going to be in bags and bags of arrears and not have a life or enough to live off 

Hi

There are no guarantees in any of the advice we've given as the CMS are a bit of a crazy organisation. It's why you read some of the stories etc.

However taking the steps advised will reduce chance of issues plus be informed and prepared to challenge/complain/escalate if things ever to go wrong.

Usually the issues arise due to variable reasons such as changing incomes, not notifying CMS of an update, having more kids, kids hitting 16 or 18, being self employed, spiteful ex etc. 

Its understandable to be over thinking things but the sooner you set up that claim the better. The alternative is that your ex opens the case and you lose control or that her solicitor gets more pushy and you don't engage and they use this against you in future hearings re divorce or finances eg you haven't promptly started to pay child maintenance and you have deliberately not engaged to avoid paying it and it took you months to do so.. (all depends on ex etc).. 

@Daddyup well actually I don’t currently have a child I’m just worrying about the worse possible outcome I’m only 18 and I’m a Student anyway I’ve heard that once they contact me I’ll be able to tell them I’m a student and be on a nil rate until I have found work which I will inform them about