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Hi, and firstly apologies if this has been done to death on here.
I've separated from my wife and I am currently living as a lodger - basically renting a room in a house. That's fine for now but I would like to move on.
Now, to date our verbal agreement on finances has been that I will continue paying the bills and keep is left - ie. what used to be the joint disposable income. She has a full time job so that money is hers.
Is there anyone / organisation I could speak to who could take a look at all my outgoings and see if I would be better off doing it another way ? We do have three children. I don't mind paying my fair share but when I look at the actual amount it feels like a lot. I also can't really budget properly due to the variable nature of some bills.
Hi there,
If you are able to sort finances out yourselves it will help in the long run, officially all you have to pay is a percentage of your wage worked out by CMS (child maintenance services) when you pay that amount that should be all that would be awarded, the only other factor would be if you were named on a mortgage on the property your ex still lives in, then you are still liable for half the mortgage and any insurance policies linked to it.
If you are paying the bills from the house yourself, as in you pay the companies then be careful as your ex "could" still claim child maintenance, if you pay your ex and she pays the bills then ensure that the money is transfered under the title "child maintenance" this will cover you in case the agreememt breaks down and she decides to make a claim.
It may be worth looking at the CMS calculator too see what she would be awarded if only so you have a good idea of what you would be paying and then you can judge that against the bills you have agreed to pay.
GTTS
Hi there
I think a good starting point would be to see what you would be expected to pay if you were paying through the CSA ( now called CMS). Here's a link to their calculator
www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance
The Citizens Advice Bureau can help you look at your finances and can also advise you on your rights and what you can expect to pay after separation. Otherwise a solicitor can also advise you about the legalities. It's probably best to get some legal advice if you have a joint mortgage and they can talk to you about divorce and the children.
Now, to date our verbal agreement on finances has been that I will continue paying the bills and keep is left - ie. what used to be the joint disposable income.
She has a full time job so that money is hers.
Hi, That's not quite fair and you are reasonable ask ex that her earnings should help with the bills and mortgage, if there is one.
Agree with NJ, check out CSA calculations and try to do this amicably - it will save you both a fortune...better spent on the child/ren.
Thanks for the feedback everyone, I think Citizens Advice will be a good starting point for me.
AS NJ says, do the CSA calculation first and work out what you owe as CM, then try and get agreement with ex.
This will save you a lot of time and money...
...also some solicitors offer a free initial consultation....this might be useful to you.
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