[Solved] Advice with the new CSA changes

I am in the same position!! I have paid via a court order for 2 years - never missing a payt (and never would!). Why do i pay 20% and she (who is requesting the service) pays 7%!!!
Someone help...please!!

This was from the CMO - you shouldn't have to pay the 20%

How can you avoid charges?
The best way to avoid the proposed fees and charges is to set up a family-based arrangement and not use the Child Maintenance Service at all.

A family-based arrangement[/url] is when both parents work together to sort out child maintenance between themselves, without involvement of the Child Maintenance Service.

However, if you and the other parent can’t agree an arrangement between yourselves and you apply to the Child Maintenance Service, you may still be able to avoid paying further charges.

There will be no collection fees for parents who pay and receive child maintenance using Direct Pay. Direct Pay is when the Child Maintenance Service works out the amount of child maintenance a paying parent must pay, but parents agree between themselves how and when payments are made.

If the Direct Pay arrangement breaks down, collection fees will apply if the case moves onto the Collect & Pay arrangement.

The best way to avoid enforcement charges is to pay child maintenance in full and on time.

Direct Pay
When charging is introduced, either parent can ask to use Direct Pay, but you may not be able to use your preferred option.

• If the paying parent asks for a Direct Pay arrangement but the receiving parent wants to use Collect & Pay, the Child Maintenance Service will look at whether it’s in the child or children’s best interests for Direct Pay to be used
• If the receiving parent asks for a Direct Pay arrangement, the Child Maintenance Service will always set up the case as Direct Pay
• If both parents ask for Collect & Pay to be used the Child Maintenance Service will set the case up as Collect & Pay

Without a good reason – such as proof of previous missed payments – the Child Maintenance Service cannot force the paying parent to use Collect & Pay and therefore incur collection fees

Well, I hope that is so. I have written to my ex but do not expect a reply, I have a call to the CMS booked for tomorrow.

Omn another topic, i receive Child Benefit for 1 of my boys - both boys stay w ithme 3 nights a week. ''Do I have to pay maintence of the child for who I ger Child Benefit?? I have had conflicting info - is it the number of nights that count or the child benefit

That's a tough one!

I would usually say that as you are in receipt of the child benefit, that's the deciding factor. However as she has him for 4/7 days a week then she might be considered to be the PWC.

The fact that you get his CB holds a lot of weight, but I wouldn't want to give you a definite on it...one for the CMO to answer I think.

Well i supplied lots of info to the Child Benefit people who decided I could receive benefit and my ex retained benefit for my other son. This has annoyed her!! Despite the fact she got the house, the buisness, the contents and the savings!!! I kept my pension!....I was only with here 10 years too!!
I am not hopeful that the Child Benefit will swing it and she is insisted she used the Collect and Pay service - purely to hurt me financially (the amout i pay will be approx the same as the child benefit I receive!!).
I will fight this charge and some comments state I shd not pay due to my past untarnished record of paying child maintenance.
I will also take out additional pension contributions to the maximum I can afford as this will affect the amout of maitenence i pay and the calculated service charge too.