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Hi
I have always payed maintenance for my 14 year old son and he has always spent a minimum of two nights per week with me. His mother tells me she is moving to America soon and our son is now to live with me permanently. I am happy for this to happen but will she still need payments from me or am I entitled to anything?
Hi there Matty and welcome 🙂
Once your son moves in with you, you become the resident parent and you are entitled to child benefit and depending on your income, you may be entitled to working families tax credits too. On top of that you would be entitled to maintenance from the non resident parent, unless she is on benefits. How this would work when she is in the States I'm not sure about, but it might be a good idea to call the CSA and ask for some information about it.
If you pay maintenance through the CSA then make sure that you inform them about the change in circumstances, otherwise you will continue to be liable.
Nope - when he comes to live with you, apply for child benefit and stop paying maintenance at the same time. Is your ex going to be working over there? If so, where is the company based that she'll be working for?
Thank you very much for your advice. I thought this would be the case. I'll get in touch with the CSA. I'm not sure of her work plans over there. I'm not too worried about receiving any benefits for being a resident parent just as long as I'm not having to pay his mother as she has chosen to leave. Thanks again for your helpful and prompt advice!
Hi Matty
...You know you are entitled to the child benefit and even if you dont want it you should claim it and pay it into an ISA or a savings account for your son for when he's older....It will help towards Uni perhaps, or his first car! 🙂
I would possibly hold off until he's living with you before applying to the CSA, just in case she changes her mind for financial reasons.
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