[Solved] Non Mol-how to pay child costs?

Hi there

You can open a case with the CMS and ask them to set up payment, you will have to go onto the collect and pay service if you want them to make the payments on your behalf and the CMS will charge you 20% of the calculated amount to do this, plus a one off admin charge of £20 when you make the application.

If the non mol doesn't stipulate that you cannot contact other members of her family, perhaps you could approach them and ask them to be act as intermediaries.

I may be wrong but I thought there were two methods of payment with CMS, one being the Collect and Pay Service where they charge you 20% more on each monthly payment OR secondly where you pay each month into the mother's account the basic amount which CMS have calculated based on your income. The second option has no extra charges imposed by the CMS

You're not wrong but she would have to agree to direct pay and that might entail him having to communicate with her , which he can't do....worth asking about though.

Mojo,

I didn't realize it was the prerogative of the recipient to stipulate method of payment albeit I can understand the complication caused by a Non Mol.

It does seem dreadfully unjust and vindictive for someone to receive payment when the payee has to pay an extra 20% in charges when there is a simple alternative to avoid the charges.

It isn't the prerogative of the recipient as such, but if payments have been late or there are arrears the recipient can request that the collect and pay service is used. This may well stretch to situations where no contact is court ordered, as I said, it's worth asking about though.

Leo....It would be worth speaking to the CMS and explaining your situation, they may be able to communicate with her and arrange for direct pay, you would only need her bank details to make a standing order from your bank to hers and no direct contact need take place.