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Hi all
I have 2 children … a 7 year old and a 5 year old. I am divorced from their mother. They live most of the time with her, and are with me for 3 nights every other weekend. (I collect from school and return them to school on a Monday)
I have a question with regards to child benefits, tax credits etc etc..
There has never been a conversation about these … as far as I am aware she is claiming all of them plus the maintenance I pay her.
I have a low income (around 20k per year) as I am starting out in a new career. My new wife (not the children’s mother) has a fairly high income.
Am I entitled to any of the child benefits available?
Thanks
Viv
Hi,
I'm afraid the simple answer is no, you aren't entitle to any benefits at all, they are all paid to the parent with care. From what you are saying, you have the children for around 78 nights per year, so if you haven't already done so, then you can apply to have your maintenance reduced by 1/7th (assuming you are paying via CSA or CMS) as you have them for more than 52 nights per year. Beware though, that your ex might try to reduce your contact to below 52 nights per year to avoid this reduction.
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