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Hi!
I have two kids, split with my ex 18 months or so back and since then have had them 3 times a week and paid her an amount we've always agreed on of £180PM. At work today and I have a missed call on my phone, google the number to find it is CSA! I have no idea what to do now, I'm terrified of them saying that I need to pay more, I literally couldn't afford another £1.
I have no idea what is going on, possibly new boyfriends influence causing her to go for more but she hasn't mentioned a word about it to me. Surely If I pretty much have them half the week and pay that out they can't go for more? The infuriating thing is I work all week, pay rent on my 2 bed place so my kids can stay and am left with nearly nothing when she is on benefits living off the state and myself and is wearing new clothes, new tattoo's, new hair colour nearly every time I see her.
I can't imagine I'm alone in this scenario, what should my next steps be?
Cheers
Hi There,
.
If CSA have tried to call then she has probably opened a case, I would call them asap and discuss this as once they have been contacted by your ex, the case is open and they will back date to thr first point of contact, the last thing you want on top of everything else is them hitting you with back dated amounts.
.
Have you looked at the CSA/CMS calculater to see what it says you should pay?
.
GTTS
I did, the amount I pay is based off that before a £3k pay rise a few months back, I agreed with her that it will be kept at that level going forward however because I'm always paying for shoes, uniform , swimming class etc.
Some things I've read have suggested I shouldn't contact, I'm really torn.
Hi There,
.
If you ignore them they won't just go away, as I said you will end up with back dated amounts to pay, and that's when things will get very difficult, if you don't make contact and ignore them, they can and will add an attachment of earnings and take the money straight from your wage before you are paid.
.
Save yourself the hassle and give them a call, if you are currently paying out extra for shoes, uniform and swimming classes, then stop and just pay whatever CSA tell you to pay, that is your only legal obligation, anything extra you pay is your choice, if you can afford too and want to, then it's not an issue, but if you can't then don't.
.
GTTS
As well as what has been said above, if she has opened a case, then anything you pay her directly at the moment may well be disregarded by the CSA, so you'll end up owing even though you're paying at the moment.
I would have another look at the CMS calculator as well to make sure you are putting in the correct amount of nights the children spend with you. If you have the children half the time, there shouldn't really be any or much liability to pay.
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