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Hello,
I have been paying my ex between £100 and £125 every month for the last four years as a mutual agreement, For some unbeknown reason, my ex has contacted the CSA to collect the payments - they contacted me today ( 06/11).
What will happen now with regards to payments and any backdated amount? There was an open case against me since 2008 but that was before I started my new job in 2009 and we have had the above mentioned arrangement in place since then.
Any advice would be appreciated - Thanks in advance.
SJ....
I would speak to the CSA and give them any proof you can that you have been paying privately - hopefully, payments will only be calculated since she contacted the CSA this time, but if the case has been open since 2008, it is more worrying about what they might say. I would question, however, if they do try to backdate payments, why they haven't been in contact with you for the last 5 years.
Hi sj24
Thanks for your post. I am William the Child Maintenance Options consultant. Actd is correct you need to speak to the Child Support Agency (CSA) directly and inform of your family-based arrangement and enquire about any backdated payments. Usually, if an application is made with the CSA, the paying parent’s responsibility to pay starts from around the time that the CSA contacts them. Their contact details can be found on any letter they have sent you, or at www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
If you would like an indication of how much maintenance may be payable, based on how the CSA calculates maintenance, there is a calculator available on our website at http://www.cmoptions.org/en/calculator/. Some parents use the figure provide as a starting point to negotiate a family-based arrangement.
You may also wish to speak to your ex and discuss the reason why she has contacted the CSA and try to get your family-based arrangement back on track. We have some tools leaflets available on our website at http://www.cmoptions.org/en/toolbox/index.asp, which you may find useful when speaking to your ex. There is our Talking about money guide and Discussion Guide, these can help you and your ex work out together how much child maintenance needs to be paid. We also have a family-based arrangement form. You can complete this with your ex and sign your names to show your commitment to this arrangement. Although this is not a legally enforceable document, it puts the agreement on a more formal basis.
To find out more about how Child Maintenance Options can help you visit cmoptions.org or call us free on 0800 988 0988 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday or 9am and 4pm on Saturday.
Thanks
William
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