After recently splitting with my other half, we agreed a child maintenence amount of that I would pay every month which I do. I work full time and trying to find a new place, so for now my little one lives with the mum full time until I can get settled.
She's decided to go back to work and so with that has put our little one with her mum during the day 4 times a week.
She's asked that I pay an extra 200 a month for this on top of the 200 I pay in child maintenence a month already.
Is that right? Should I be paying for her mum to have our little one? Apparently this is only half the cost and she's paying the other 200.
I just want to make sure it's all ok as 400 is a lot of money when trying to save for a place, but my little one comes first and I want to do what's right. Just need some guidance.
hi,
I think if she is working then responsibility to arrange and pay for childcare would fall on her. If you both disagree and the private arrangement for child maintenance is not working, there is an option to use the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). I wouldn't recommend them. If you were to go down that route, then they calculated a fixed monthly payment that you must make, and legally you are not required to pay any more than that. but pitfalls are that if you earn more money, get bonus, pay rise or do over-time, then you will have to pay more maintenance. would suggest you try to keep the arrangement private.
you can use their maintenance calculator to get a good idea of how much maintenance you would be expected to pay monthly, based on your gross income: https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance