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So after 12 tortuous years my contributions ends on 25th June. I have written to the cms 3 times over the last 3 months about what happens when I have arrears only left to pay? Needless to say I have had no response to date. Any advice welcome. If I have not heard anything by Friday its back to my MP.
Not sure of your question. If you have arrears, these are payable even if your CMS is due to stop due to child's age or end of education. Also are you sure you are due to stop paying 25th June? Usually it continues until the end of summer, unless you are stopping as child turns 20?
@Daddyup thanks for your reply, yes my son is 20 on the 26th of June so child benefit ends on 25th June, I have written to them 3 times over the last 4 months asking what are the protocols for arrears only after the end of my contributions. I have 10k in arrears and want to know what happens. Do they continue with deductions from earnings order? at what rate? over how long? can it be negotiated? Can i offer a settlement?
regards Mick
@mickr you may be better off phoning them if you have time spare. I know they chase people with historic arrears since days of old CSA.
hi, how much are the arrears, and are they genuine? you should phone them. theres useful contact and email addresses for CMS here: https://faocms.com/useful-information/
Hi
My understanding is that the arrears continue to be payable to the receiving parent. They do not get written off. Your contributions do not end when your son turns 20 but when all amounts payable are paid.
The DEO amount just continues. I imagine when it was 1st issued that an amount was set as the protected amount which is the minimum amount the court decided you need to live off and as long as you earn above this amount the DEO will continue requiring employers to deduct the payment from your earnings. I believe the maximum amount they can deduct is 40% of your net income as long as it does not take you below the protected amount.
My knowledge here is not based specifically to CMS but the DEO falls under the Attachment of Earnings Act which having worked in financial services previously I'm familiar with and the rules are the same (with some differences) regardless of whether the debt is CMS or consumer. One significant difference is that the CMS very much do not concede and will enforce whereas most creditors do a cost benefit analysis.
In regards to reduced settlements, you can make an offer but your ex and CMS both need to agree (although I believe you ex will be the main decision maker) and the CMS will let you know how to settle and make payment. See below from Cab which goes into some detail..
Hope this helps. All the best.
@Daddyup so would they take into account that you have certain bills that are a fixed cost such as rent when working out this protected amount
Hi
You mentioned that the CMS have a deduction from earnings order already. You will need to review your paperwork to identify the protected amount agreed.
Protected amounts don't always reflect your actual costs (usually they do but not always, eg living beyond means) so you will need to take a look, plus if the order was made many years ago then you may need to return to court to vary the order and update the court with your current financial circumstances. This is a specialist/niche area of law.
The CAB would be a good reference point.
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