Welcome to the DAD.Info forum: Important Information – open to read:
Our forum aims to provide support and guidance where it can, however we may not always have the answer. The forum is not moderated 24 hours a day, so If you – or someone you know – are being harmed or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.
Alternatively, if you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you are worried about you or someone you know is at risk of harm, please click here: How we can help
Hi
Yes collect and pay only if you go into arrears once CMS is involved so ensure that you pay the amount advised on the date agreed each month.
The other thing to note is that if your ex asks for more money than CMS amount, this would be classed as voluntary payments and the CMS advised me not to do so where possible as if I struggled in future they wouldn't count them and reduce payments and instead to put the money aside to ease any financial issues I may have. Eg if I got an unexpected bill one month such as car repairs, then they will not accept that I have paid additional overpayments and allow me to reduce my payment one month to cover the enexpected bill.. Therefore now that your ex has gone to CMS, if she wants to change date, you to pay earlier or pay a higher amount, the stock response should be to ask her to speak to the CMS as you are paying the amount they have advised on the agreed date.
All the best.
Many thanks thanks for reply guys helped alot this should be interesting the old private arrangement for start of this year was £60 per week and CMS calculation says £69.62 per week in rough calculation letter but SHE SAID I DONT DO OVERNIGHTS even tho I do every other weekend so should be £60 pw
I have a feeling she thought I was on a much higher salary than I am I remember her joking 2 months ago "surely as a manager your on atleast 40k a year" and I just laughed with her then we took my lad out she's always been nosey for some reason
I'm guessing she probably doesn't understand what 'collect and pay' is used for or that she would reduce her payments using that method.
If she has commented on your salary, I would hazard a guess that she's done this to ensure you're paying the correct amount.
You can tell CMS that you have overnight stays and they should reduce the amount. If she denies you have overnights, then it's up to you to prove it.
Whilst I don't advocate paying more than you should, you have said you generally have a good relationship with is to both of your credit.
As the differences are a few pounds, I would say pick your battles. Many difficult situations with contact start with a minor issue like this and they can soon spiral.
Cheers for feedback
My last issue i can't seem to get through to the CMS to speak to them and they only have 1 number and can't use gov portal and I have 6 days remaining to respond to this letter with reference number,
So looks like its going to collect and pay anyways because says I must contact then within 14 days but when its says on phone we are now putting you through it just beeps then cuts off?
I would keep trying, but also put a letter in writing and send it recorded - if you are paying £60 per week, the collect and pay will up that to £72 per week, it's worth doing your best to avoid that.
@actd
Hi mate funny time I managed to get through and they said dont worry you will be on direct pay as you called within 14 days to resolve and that I do 52 nights a year
Payments £59 per week even tho I never missed a single payment on our family based arrangement of £60 pw i walk into work today login my emails and now CMS have said your new payments will be 0.70 per month???
Yesterday CMS text to say £259 pm???? Has she closed cased
I think you will just have to keep trying. Could be a temporary technical blip or just that their lines are busy after the bank holiday?
All sorted my side was told would go on direct pay thank the lord and that I do every 2nd weekend and that I wish to pay monthly.
My old arrangement was weekly but I find 1st of the month easier at £257 pm because easier to plan ,got the pin now to check on case till finalised, hopefully smooth and 52 nights not in question......
You will get these odd variations as they get updates from HMRC etc plus there could be an admin error... However you will need to contact them to clarify..
Welcome to the DAD.info forum.
We don’t like to set ‘rules’, but to make sure that you and the other dads are kept safe, we have some requests. When engaging with the forum, please be aware of the following:
- The forum is not moderated 24 hours per day.
- Many of the moderators do so on a voluntary basis. Whilst they may be able to provide some guidance, advice or support, they may not be able to deal with specifics.
- We are not an emergency crisis service so if you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call emergency services.
- If you are concerned about the safety of a child, please click here to find the support you can get for them (link to new page)
- If you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
We hope you find this forum a supportive environment and thank you for joining us.