Complex Case - need some advice

Hi,

I am the estranged father of a 2yr old child with whom I have no contact. 

The child’s mother refused to negotiate over any payments and I stupidly entered into an agreement with her two years ago. She was unhappy with the amount she got and went to the CMS who mandated a lower amount than we had originally agreed. I have paid that diligently until July 2023, at which stage I went on a career break and was given a nil rate by the CMS. 

Yesterday I received a very threatening letter from her solicitor basically saying they were going to take me to court for a maintenance order. I have checked with CMS and am not in any arrears with them and the information they have from HMRC is correct. I am currently spending some time travelling and sorting out some life issues and am due to to return to work in December. 

I am very concerned over what the next stages are not to mention the unnecessary stress of it all: will a maintenance order be forthcoming? 

I’m obviously willing to pay, even though I f know she lied to me at the time of our romantic encounter - she told me she was on the pill and had taken the morning after pill. In a subsequent conversation, she reported that she was looking into IVF so she could conceive a child as a single mother. Unfortunately I came along and was an easy target. That being said, I’m obviously willing to pay for the child. 

She has been exceptionally difficult throughout and makes frequent unwelcome attempts to contact my family (they don’t feel it to be harrassment).  We were never married or even in a relationship. Just a very unfortunate series of events. 

Look forward to any insight.