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
I have 4 children with my ex whom I am paying child maintenance through the CSA for but have no contact with at all. We had 5 children however through DNA testing (when we were amicable) discovered the 5th wasn't mine so was never added to the CSA case.
My question to you all is I have always had doubts over 1 of my children whether they are mine or not. I never did a test when I was still seeing them which would have been easier I know! Can I get in contact with the CSA and pay for them to do a DNA test for me or is it not as simple as that? I haven't seen or spoken to my children or my ex in over 3 years so asking them to complete a test I send them isn't an option, plus I wouldn't trust my ex in a million years to test the right child (but test 1 she knows is mine!)
So has anyone else been in this situation and if so what did you do, does the CSA offer this service? How much does it cost, and how much of a guarantee is there that the ex will test the right child!
You can dispute parentage of the child, which will force a DNA test - you'd have to pay (not sure how much) and if you were found not to be the father, you should be refunded the cost (no backdating of maintenance paid).
I'm not sure how you would guarantee the right child is tested - the only way that springs to mind is to dispute parentage of all children so that all are tested - that way, there should be 4 different DNA results. However, you would have to pay for all separate tests and you wouldn't get the money back for the children that are yours.
It might be worth giving CMS a ring and discussing it with them - does your GP know all of the children individually? Perhaps the GP could take the DNA sample.
Ive been reading a few bits online before I contact the CMS and apparently the tests are done at the doctors so that answers my question in how the tests are done. At least that gives me some reassurance in testing the right child!
thanks
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.