[Solved] CSA Query

Hi There,

I can understand your thinking but unfortunately who your ex lives with doesn't effect what you pay, the amount is worked out on your income alone and then the amount is passed on to your ex.

Likewise whether you see your child or not you are still liable to pay, which I'm sure you knew anyway.

If the amount you pay seems too high you can contact CSA and ask them to re calculate.

GTTS

Do you have any arrears? If not, that amount seems high - for one child under CSA, the basic calculation is 15% of takehome, so if that £1340 is your takehome pay, you should only be paying maintenance of about £200 per month.

Hi,
I am in a similar position with the new CMS programme. I have had a decent relationship with my daughter and have always paid my maintenance through CSA. When we spend time together there is natural 'expenses' as we do things and go places together. CMS fail to recognise this in any deductions (only over night stays which I have been working on gently as I have a new girlfriend with a 8 yr old daughter) and how they have work out my payments for this year is from income gross earnings from last year which was higher to my actual contracted income due to overtime what was available.
This will not be the case this year which I will struggle. Not only to support my family with my step child (which CMS deducted £11 p/w?) but to also spend money seeing my daughter. I've had to explain this to my child of 13 yrs old and it's already ruining my relationship as she doesn't want to just be at home. My ex works full time and has another child by another father which I presume is going through the same situation/agreement, and her mum looks after my child so I can't see there being many outgoings and isn't struggling for money.
I have submitted an expense form for my contact costs but they say this may not be deducted and I'm to start my payments in March.
Why they can't get this correct now?
It's seems like the only option I have now is to contest the payments and appeal with the aid of a solicitor at a cost of £150 per hour whilst ongoing payments at a lower income.. And dragging my ex and child through the courts which is only damaging my relationship further!
Stressed and deflated to this system is an understatement.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Have they actually got the calculation wrong? If so, then see you MP rather than a solicitor (who won't be able to achieve anything with the CSA) - your MP can raise a complaint at a higher priroty.