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Hi
I have a family based arrangement with my ex-wife. At the time of divorce, on a clean break agreement I agreed to review the payment each year in April and increase or decrease the payment depending on income using the calculator on the CSA website. Each year for 3 ears I did this and increased the payment in line with my salary increments. Last year my ex-wife decided to go to the CSA as she felt I wasn't paying enough. The CSA agreed with my figure and I continued paying the amount. However, at the time, the CSA did advise that I wasn't obliged to increase the payment if the salary increase was under a certain percentage (5% I think). I have had a salary increment this year (less than 5%). Should I still increase the payment?
My concern is that my ex-wife will again decide to involve the CSA to review my salary etc again which will then lead to back payments etc.
I would prefer to use the additional money I would be giving my ex-wife to put into savings for the kids if I'm not obliged to increase it.
Any advice is welcome!
I assume you are still paying by the family based arrangement. I would say you have a couple of options. You can tell your ex you aren't increasing the payment as they have advised you don't need to - this gives your ex the option to open a case with the CMS, in which case you will be assessed at your new income, but any future rises in income will then be exempt from re-assessment if below the threshold. An alternative is that you ask the CMS to open a case - the result is the same but you have more control, which will ensure there aren't any double payments due to the CMS working slowly.
Another option is to discuss the idea with your ex - tell her you aren't increasing the payment (and why) but you will put the extra into a savings account for your daughter (you can always send her copy statements to prove it) - she may just agree to that option.
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