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Hi
Need some advice on what is not a normal situation.
I have 3 children (8 to 11 years) with a ex (mom 1)I currently have a private agreement with. I have the children 6 out of 14 nights so just below the 50/50 threshold. Currently going through court to increase to 50/50 but mum trying to reduce my contact.
In addition I have a 14 year old child from a previous relationship who isn't biologically mine but bought up from birth, me and mom 2 broke up when she was 1 year old but I continued to bring her up as my own child. Me and mom was never married and we never explored anything legal as contact with daughter has never been a issue unlike my biological children's mum. Daughter knows the truth and only knows me as her dad and is treated the same as the other 3 children and I financially pay monthly maintenance towards her and anything else.
I currently keep both maintenance payments seperate (so mom 1 gets full maintenance not including my daughter in the calculations. I pay her mom a seperate amount) but mom 1 is determined to reduce my current contact and therefore get more child maintenance, if that was to happen I would need to combine calculations for all 4 children for maintenance.
I have looked for information I can take my daughter into account for maintenance calculations as the other 3 children but so far closest info I can find is about step children and stating if we was married which we wasn't.
I have historic evidence of bank statements paying monthly maintenance for my daughter and other items needed also I'm sure mother will confirm my involvement in her life.
I want to ensure I can afford carrying on paying maintenance for all 4 children and mom1 is doing her best at the moment to try to reduce my contact and I don't want csa chasing me if do have to include my daughter in maintenance calculations so it's worked out between all 4 children.
If anyone has been in a similar situation and can advise? Other alternative is making me legal father/guardian of my daughter.
Hi Jb79
firstly great work! I certainly hope you get the 50/50 split of access agreed. Limiting time/access to a dad who wants to be there solely for financial gain is frankly deplorable.
as for step daughter, as there’s no legal connection I would push to adopt if you wish to include in any future calculation. Otherwise mom2 should really be seeking payment from biological dad…?
good luck though. Hopefully court will see sense and you won’t need to worry about it!
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