Hi all
My ex and I split almost 3 years ago, not very amicably. When we first split I had the kids every other weekend and one evening during the week, so paid maintenance accordingly.
Since March of this year however, when I was able to buy a place of my own, our 17 yr old daughter has lived with me almost completely fulltime, seeing her mum for one or two nights per month, and is now insistent that she does not want to see her at all as she finds her really difficult. I really don't want their relationship to break down and encourage her to see her mum as much as I can.
My ex will not tell CMS the truth about the situation, and is instead telling them that she is still the resident parent and asking for maintenance based on the previous arrangement.
She still gets Child Benefit, and CMS are telling me that the only way for them to stop taking payments from me is if I register for child benefit myself, which I'm in reluctantly in the process of doing.
Has anyone been in this situation? What happens next? How do I prove that my daughter is living with me full time?
Any thoughts would be gratefully received...
hi,
that is very difficult. CMS like to see court orders about the kids living arrangements. but due to your childs age I think it's very unlikely court will make another order. court orders generally valid till child is 18. if you were to open a child benefit claim, then they are likely to ask for evidence like court order.
if child is living with you full-time, are you able to put her on the council electoral register for your home address? you can add her at age 17. then you can try removing her from the register at mothers address. not sure if this would be valid evidence for child benefit office and CMS but worth a try. Is she in college? are you able to get them to write you a letter stating change of address, and now she lives with you?
@bill337 thanks very much for replying, that sounds like good advice. I'll contact her college tomorrow and add her to the electoral roll.
All the best