My ex after we split up took my son and dissapeared because she already got what she wanted which was a UK visa!!!.
I recently graduated from university and now got a job with gross salary of £22,500.
I received a letter from the CMA yesterday asking me to contact them within 14days as a claim has been out in by my ex.
she opted for the collect and pay option.
please I need answers to how much I am expected to pay and if the following will be considered by the CMA before asking me for payment.
1: I have another child with another ex who lives abroad. I pay maintainance for her and school fees on a private arrangement which was registered in the court of the country.
2: I am now married and my wife has a daughter of which I am responsible for them and their upkeep and pay rent for the house they live in. They currently live abroad also but will be joining me in the uk soon.
3: she opted for the collect and pay but is there a way I can tell them ,I am happy to pay via direct pay instead ?
will the CMA take all these into account before deciding how much I should be paying to this EX ?
inused the child maintenance calculator which gave me a figure if around £224 monthly and there is no way I can afford that with all the above and my own bills and expenses over here.
also the calculator didn’t have an option to say I have other children who live abroad that I support.
based on the above can anyone give some idea/advice to me. Because I want to call the CMA on Monday when they open to discuss with them and get it sorted.
Thanks
hi,
I would urge you to challenge CMS if they want to put you on collect and pay by default. that's not how it works. they should put you on direct pay first. collect and pay is for enforcement, if you start missing payments or refuse to pay. Also they should reduce your maintenance payment because of other children you support.
I recommend this CMS support group for paying parents. very experienced: https://www.facebook.com/groups/239699060076601
Thanks for your reply.
I have spoken to them today and they agreed for direct pay and said they will get my ex bank details for me to make payment.
I told them I have a private agreement in place for another child who was born and lives abroad. They initially took that into consideration but later turned round that they need evidence from the courts to say because the child doesn’t live in the uk or on their system
I tried to join the Facebook page but my request was not accepted
@cherubim hi, with FB group did you answer there registration questions? if you don't answer they may not accept you. can you try again?
@cherubim thats great. CMS can be dreadfully slow, I would suggest you chase them up every few days. otherwise they make take months to pass on bank details to you, then you end up paying more money in arrears.