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Hi, i have split from my partner and have a son with her i also have another son that i have paid privately until 17 without fail on a standing order basis. My second son is soon to be 18 and i believe i should possibly pay until 21? i now need to set up a payment to my youngest son. the online calculator is suggesting £500 pcm (£250 each). Do i need to prove payment to the oldest childs mum? i am no longer paying it but how would they know if it is a private arrangement? would i not be able to just pay the £250 for the younger child? at least until 21?
Hi, i have split from my partner and have a son with her i also have another son that i have paid privately until 17 without fail on a standing order basis. My second son is soon to be 18 and i believe i should possibly pay until 21? i now need to set up a payment to my youngest son. the online calculator is suggesting £500 pcm (£250 each). Do i need to prove payment to the oldest childs mum? i am no longer paying it but how would they know if it is a private arrangement? would i not be able to just pay the £250 for the younger child? at least until 21?
So if I understand correctly, you have 2 children? Your oldest is soon to turn 18 (private agreement) But you have another younger child with the most recent relationship that has ended and she is the one going through cms
Your question is, if you tell CMS your still paying for your oldest son via private agreement (even tho you have stopped) will this reduce the payments for you other child? And do you have to prove it?
To be honest it's tricky and you can never second guess what they will do. I think personally you may get away with saying you put a private agreement in place with your ex when you son was young stating you will pay child maintenance until he's 20. with your ex I doubt they will accept 21. If your on good terms with the other ex she may help you out? But the problem you have that if you most recent relationship mother of the child knows about the other son she may apply for a variation and then u may have to prove you are making payments for private agreement.
Best thing to do is get your oldest son into college full time education, when he's in there u can send the evidence his in full time education by cms laws u have to pay that way no argument.
You’re normally expected to pay child maintenance until your child is 16, or until they’re 20 if they’re in school or college full time doing:
- A-levels,
- Highers or
- Equivalent.
Child maintenance might stop earlier – for example, if one parent dies or the child stops being eligible for child benefit.
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-child-maintenance-should-i-pay
You’re normally expected to pay child maintenance until your child is 16, or until they’re 20 if they’re in school or college full time doing:
- A-levels,
- Highers or
- Equivalent.
Child maintenance might stop earlier – for example, if one parent dies or the child stops being eligible for child benefit.
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-child-maintenance-should-i-pay
Ok, what I'm trying to say is 1 child is 400 2 is 550. So how will the csa or other parent know if I an paying or not? Does it have to be proved? Cannot i not just pay 275 to first parent and keep it low by doing that?
when your making your payments. in the reference put: CHILD MAINTENANCE. do not pay cash, that way you have bank statements as evidence.
I have a feeling (could be wrong though) that where 2 mothers are concerned, the CMS don't accept that you are paying through a private agreement, and the way to prove is to open a case with them, even if you have been paying up to that point without any problems. You could give Child Maintenance Options a call to check this.
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