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Hello
I need a little guidence. I got divorced 13 years ago and within the divorce papers was the agreed amount for the kids. I have twins and my ex wife had a lad who was four at the time. The amount agreed in the divorce paper was for all three children although I was not the biological father of the eldest at £160 per month.
A few years later the EX asked me to increase the payments and threated not seeing the kids unless I did to which I increased it. Even now with the eldest leaving home I never reduced the payments. this stands at £300. Today I had the phone call from the ex asking to increase the money.
My question is if the payment was agreed in the divorce through court can she continually ask for more money. I have always been too worried about going to court again and risk not being able to see my children until a situation was resolved so I have always given in. I want to understand my rights. I love my kids have an active role but money and ex wives don't always mix well in discussions.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Hi there and welcome 🙂
I would have thought that any agreement for maintenance within the divorce agreement would be subject to increases due to inflation and the cost of living. However I dont know for sure, this is just my opinion. Have a look at the link to Child Maintenance Options, the link is at the bottom of the page. It might be an idea to google the CSA calculator, it will show you what you should be paying, have a wage slip handy to help you fill in the questionaire.
As the eldest child is leaving home, unless its to continue with full time education, the payments should reduce not increase! Too many women use the children as weapons to illicit more money from their ex's. Courts would take a very dim view of this, but it is true that there are some women that would deny contact whilst the situation goes through the court process.
As your children must be teenagers now, I would have thought that the mothers ability to prevent them from seeing you is diminished ,as they are likely to rebel against that and see you regardless.
Hi Nannyjane
Thank you for your advice. I have looked at a CSA calculator.
I think you are right about the increases due to inflation through the court but the CSA calculator is based on salary. The eldest hasn't gone on to higher education and I didn't reduce it however the calculator says I am paying the right amount there abouts so I will increase it to the amount stated on the calculator.
Again Thank you.
Hi there,
The courts only have durastiction for 12 months after that you could arrange through CSA.
If you have looked on the CSA calculator then you will know what you should expect to pay.
If this is different to what you are paying then you use it as a starting point for discussion.
Darren
Hi Darren
Thank you
I have worked it out and it works out £10 more so I will let her know and go from there.
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