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If we have shared custody of our son, 50/50, obviously we both have to provide for him at our houses yet she can claim off me despite earning more than me? Albeit reduced? How is that fair and how does it provide any kind of balance between what parents can provide their child with? Money I give her, that isn't actually needed just prevents me spending money doing things with him? Can someone clarify how that is a fair system? Punished for being a dad who wants equal access to his child or am I getting something completely wrong?
Hello Bretherton
Child maintenance is paid to the parent with the main day-to-day care of a child and who is in receipt of the Child Benefit. If you have a family-based arrangement in place you may wish to discuss and negotiate your agreement with the other parent. Family-based arrangements are not legally enforceable and there are no strict rules or formulas to follow. Therefore, parents can decide the terms of their agreement to suit their current circumstances.
If you have a case with the Government’s statutory scheme, you may wish to contact them directly to discuss your concerns regarding your payments. You will find their details on any letters they have sent you or on Gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
If you would like further information on how the Child Maintenance Service calculates child maintenance, I have included a link that you may find useful https://www.gov.uk/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/how-the-child-maintenance-service-works-out-child-maintenance.
If you have a Consent Order/Minute of Agreement in place you may wish to seek legal advice as to where you stand regarding your current situation.
For more information on the different ways to set up child maintenance, you can visit the Child Maintenance Options website at http://www.cmoptions.org.
The DWP have a sorting out separation web-app that you may find useful. It offers help and support to separating and separated families. The link is: www.dad.info/divorce-and-separation/sorting-out-separation.
Regards
William
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