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Hi,
I'm about to separate with my partner and we are trying to sort out a figure to agree on for child support. I've used the "calculator" as a starting point and have based my payments on this (around £380 pm). My partner is now asking in addition to this for half of the nursery fees for one of our children which I would be more than happy to pay in theory but if I were to agree to half of this then I wouldn't be able to afford to move out!
I feel like I'm in a catch 22. I want to see the kids at least twice a week which is factored into the CMS figure. As I understand it the CMS figure doesn't include nursery fees but I've read that my ex will recoup most of this in working tax credits etc?
I don't want to be unreasonable or unhelpful already but I simply won't be able to afford to move out if I agree to this. Is there any ground rules or advice anyone could give me?
Cheers
Hi there,
When it comes to child support the amount agreed in a private arrangement is down to the 2 of you agree on, if your ex went through CMS they would calculate the amount in a similar way to you have using the calculator.
The amount you pay should cover contributions towards everything the children need, the rules on CMS/CSA are that an amount is calculated and that this is the minimum that should be paid, if you decide to pay more that would be your choice but it can't be enforced.
So with regards to the nursary fees I would try to come to an agreement that means that you can look after all the payments and agreements yourself without involving CMS.
What you agree would be down to what you can afford, but use the calculator as a guide, I would explain (as nicely as possible) that it's better to agree between you rather than through CMS as you can then adjust things as time goes on, if she went through CMS then they would award her an amount and that would be what she would get.
GTTS
Thanks GTTS!
I've tried to explain and be reasonable - if you go to CMS they will give you a flat fee and that's what i would pay. As I understand it i'm not obliged to pay half the nursery fees but i'd like to help as far as I can. I just can't afford half or I can't move out! There doesn't seem to be any getting through on this!
I think when things have calmed down that she'll realise that a contribution is better than nothing as i want to help even if I don't legally have to with nursery fees.
Cheers,
Hi,
I think that your attitude is right, if you can afford to pay more and you are happy too then that will all help her, hopefully as you say as she calms down she will come to realise this.
GTTS
Hello Jimmy2984
I am William, the Child Maintenance Options consultant
As mentioned in a previous response, when you have a family-based arrangement such as yours, it is entirely the decision of the two of you how much should be paid and what should be included in your arrangement. If you had a statutory arrangement, such as one set up through the Child Maintenance Service, they would work out a set payment for you and it would be similar to the figure you arrived at by using the calculator.
You would not be expected to pay anything else on top of the amount they worked out for you.
If you would like further information on the different options available for you to set up maintenance, you can visit the Child Maintenance Options website http://www.cmoptions.org.
Regards
William
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