Welcome to the DAD.Info forum: Important Information – open to read:
Our forum aims to provide support and guidance where it can, however we may not always have the answer. The forum is not moderated 24 hours a day, so If you – or someone you know – are being harmed or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.
Alternatively, if you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you are worried about you or someone you know is at risk of harm, please click here: How we can help
My son just turned 16 now lives with me approx 10 nights in every 14 term time, and half of all holidays… so circa 210 nights per year.
my daughter 11 was moved over 50 miles away last summer, so I only have her 2 nights per 14 (every other weekend), but also half of all the holidays. Circa 85 nights per year.
currently I’m still paying the old 2 to 3 nights per week CMS bracket for both kids from the old court order, but the CMS annual review is due next month.
I can’t seem to get through to CMS on the phone without waiting an hour!
I’m assuming I no longer need to pay CMS for my son now he lives with me more than half the time, but will need to pay the full 1 to 2 nights per week bracket now for my daughter?
Calculating this online it’s financially crippling per month if I’m right, as I have to fund my son 70% of the year on top of full CSA for daughter. Any help/advice appreciated!
stanners
hi,
if your main carer of son, you should be claiming child benefit for him. once you achieve that, you are considered the main carer by CMS, so that case should be closed. in theory you can open counter claim against his mum for maintenance.
Hi, thank you for your solid advice which is most appreciated.
do you (or any reader) have any advice how I convince Child Benefit my lad is staying with me 10 nights in 14, when all I have is an outdated Court Order stipulating 6 nights in 14?
His mother will highly likely deny and refer to the Order to protect her benefits income levels unfairly. I thought about trying to get a letter from school, other than that I’m struggling for how I prove it 😬😕
Thank you!
@stanners hi, evidence can be receipts for purchase of children clothing, school uniform. proof of attending doctors appointments etc
Welcome to the DAD.info forum.
We don’t like to set ‘rules’, but to make sure that you and the other dads are kept safe, we have some requests. When engaging with the forum, please be aware of the following:
- The forum is not moderated 24 hours per day.
- Many of the moderators do so on a voluntary basis. Whilst they may be able to provide some guidance, advice or support, they may not be able to deal with specifics.
- We are not an emergency crisis service so if you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call emergency services.
- If you are concerned about the safety of a child, please click here to find the support you can get for them (link to new page)
- If you are in crisis, please call Samaritans on 116 123. They are open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
We hope you find this forum a supportive environment and thank you for joining us.