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i pay my ex directly now after both agreeing to sort it without the aid of the csa we set a amount we both agreed upon and over the course of the last few years it has gone up and down depending on work and through a period of sickness when i could not work. my ex is always pushing for more money. my wages vary as im self employed so i just take a average and base what i give her on that sometimes its up for me sometimes its up in hers. i pay a fair amount that more than covers well over half on the cost of taking care of my son. im currently in a access battle as she wont let me see him. my question is as we agreed a amount together now im seeking access and using the courts she all of a sudden wants more money and is trying to involve the csa to go through my books to see if im paying her enough. i was under the impression it was up to us to arrange a fair amount which by the way i always paid on the dot in full. do i have to use the figures from the online calculator. and if so is that figure then the minimum amount i can pay her ?? im not trying to be tight but the online calculator has come up with 66 quid a week. i have other bills and a new young family to take care of and its only me working i cant afford 286 quid a month before this i was paying her 40 quid a week
It's always best to try and sort out maintenance and contact informally, once the authorities are involved, it's taken out of the parents hanfs, unless they can reach agreement through the process.
Unfortunately, if the mother chooses to open a claim with the CMS she has the right to do so. She is probably angry that you've initiated contact proceedings.
The CMS calculation makes a reduction of the gross income for any pension the paying parent pays into. If the child stays overnight with the paying parent, they make a reduction of the gross income that equals one seventh of the weekly amount for every overnight.
Here's a link to the CMS guidelines that you may find helpful
Best of luck
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