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Right my ex has text me today saying she wants to go through CSA as I was late on this months payment by 3 days lol for the past year I have paid her in time and now she wants CSA involved.
Firstly do they take new applications and secondly if so how does the process work do they need to meet up with me or can it all be done over the phone?
Hi there
It can all be done over the phone I think. She would be applying to the CMS, which replaces the CSA. Here's a link to their calculator, where you can get a rough estimate of how much you should expect to pay.
www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance
It will cost her £20 in admin fees to make the application, either one of you can open a case with the CMS.
They calculate the amount based on a percentage of gross income...I think it's 12% for one child, 16% for two children. They can also make a reduction if your child stays overnight at least once a week, each weekly overnight will mean a deduction of 1/7 of the calculated weekly amount.
It might be useful to read through the CMS guidelines as they can make reductions if you are paying off any joint debts or a mortgage.
Once the amount has been calculated, that is all you would be required to pay, you can of course buy things for the children but this is discretionary and wouldn't be taken into account.
Thank you for your reply I now know a little but more about it all now, I have two girls and they stay over every Wednesday and Friday and Saturdays every two weeks, I am self employed so would they take my word on what I earn weekly/monthly or would they ask for proof of income?
I'm not sure what they would do...they might get last years tax returns and calculate it on that.
Here's a link to the CMS guidelines I mentioned, you might find information about that in there...
In this calculator link that you sent me when putting what I earn is it after tax or before?
It's the amount you get before tax
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