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Hi there,
I currently pay my ex-partner maintenance for our daughter. I pay her every month as arranged with the cms and her.
I pay her the amount I do working from my income and from the fact that I have another child with my current partner.
Now,
As bad as this seems, it's looking like it's a good possibility that my current relationship with my partner has come to an end !, I won't go in to all the personal details but let's just say that for now, she has moved in with her family, and I still allowing me access to our 4 month old daughter.
Although I am trying to ammend this current situation between us it got me thinking,
If we can't work things out then I'll be a dad to two children, by two different women whom neither I live with.
What I'd like to know is how and what changes could that mean for me with regards to maintainance for them ?
I have no problem whatsoever paying for either of my daughter's as without them I wouldn't be the person I am today.
And although this question with regards to the cms is about money, I just want to find out for some piece of mind if possible.
I've had a look at the cms calculation online but does that work the same when it involves two children, who live with 2 different monthes ?
Thank you in advance for any help or advice you could give me.
I would check with the CMS on this. I am reasonably sure that for 2 children, as you will have found from the calculator, you pay 16% of your gross, and I think this is then split equally between your two exs, so 8% each. As I say, it's worth checking with the CMS to make sure of this, and I would broach the subject carefully with your first ex, as there is going to be a reduction in the amount you are required to pay her, Of course, you can pay more than the required amount if you wish to do so.
Thank you for your advice with regards to this, I know It was a question about money and the most important thing is the children involved. I just need to make sure I do the right thing for both of them if the worst happens.
Thank you again for your comment
Hello Martinbenn01
With you having a case with the Child Maintenance Service you may wish to contact them to inform them of your change in circumstances. You will find their details on any letters they have sent you or on Gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
I have included a link on how the Child Maintenance Service calculates child maintenance that you may find helpful, https://www.gov.uk/how-child-maintenance-is-worked-out/how-the-child-maintenance-service-works-out-child-maintenance.
There are various ways that child maintenance can be arranged, there is a family-based arrangement which is an arrangement agreed between parents without the intervention/ involvement of the Government or legal system and is not legally enforceable. There is the option of the Child Maintenance Service which is the Government’s statutory maintenance service, who can calculate maintenance leaving parents to arrange payment between themselves, or collect payments and pay to the parent/ main carer. There is also a Consent Order/ Minute of Agreement which is an arrangement through the courts.
For more information on all the different ways to set up child maintenance and for a more personalised service, 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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