Hi, looking for some advice please.
Since 2019 separated from ex. We have two children. I was receiving child benefit for both. They were both cared for 50/50 as per consent order and no CMS paid as costs were shared. In February 2024 our daughter 15 decided to move into her mothers, at the same time the ex was trying to go after child benefit for both children. HMRC decided to give child benefit for the daughter to the ex, and I now pay £425 a month for CMS.
Our son 16 has been shared cared until now. I have opened a CMS case against the ex as he will not be living with me full time from 2nd September 2024. She does not want to pay half of his annual bus fare. I am going to support his travel etc through his college years. I also receive child benefit for our son.
The advice I need, ex is an accountant self-employed. I asked CMS today a guess of what she may end up paying. It comes to £20 a week. I am an employed person working Mon-Fri and currently paying £104 a week as the daughter is there. The ex has a new husband, another child, lives a luxurious lifestyle.
Should we at least not be paying CMS to each other to an equal value?
hi, because the CMS calculations are based on paying parents income, your ex will likely have advantage on basis of being self-employed. with self-employed their income is assessed after their expenses have been deducted. and some people play around and manipulate their earnings that way.
I recommend you join this support group for paying parents: