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Hi all, firstly got to thank whoever runs this site as I don’t think anyone else appreciates how stressful all this can be for the non-custody parent, so thank you very much 😊
Here we go …
My daughter recently turned 18 and hasn’t attended school since she was 14. I was happy to support her until she was 18, maybe until the end of the school year in August. I stupidly stopped my CMS payment this month (have recently put it back) because my ex contacted me immediately and is telling me I need to pay until my daughter is 20 and is threatening me with Collect & Pay.
I’ve asked my ex what she is studying and for lesson plans and curriculum etc. but I am getting nothing from her.
For all I know my daughter might be working, abroad or even married.
Where do I go from here?
Do I just trust the CMS, or stop payments (assuming that’s a no no) or do I ring the CMS and ask them for some sort of investigation?
Any advice would possibly de-stress me!
Thanks
Mattie
I would certainly contact CMS and tell them all you know. Unfortunately, they are slow to react. At the very least, hopefully they will ask your ex about the education. It also depends on whether your ex is still claiming child benefit.
@actd Hi thank you for replying.
She does say that she is still claiming child benefit but again I don't know if that is true.
Will the CMS be able to tell me if she is still claiming?
I will definitely give them a call 🙂
@mattieg I second your comment about the people running this site. Excellent job!
I’d say your best approach would be to contact Child Benefit office to see whether your ex’s claims are true and that she is still in receipt of CB.
The CB office will investigate. How in-depth that investigation will be I’m not sure.
The ‘homeschool’ aspect does throw a massive spanner in the works as your child started their homeschooling before age of 16. That means that homeschool education could be being provided up until they’re 20 but you’d never be able to prove anything. Your child may not even get any sort of qualification from the homeschooling.
I'm not sure what they can tell you, but certainly worth speaking to them, you have nothing to lose.
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