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Hello all, I hope you can help answer this query. I am a single Dad currently paying both child maintenance and child minder fee's for my young son (15 months old). Paying both means I am contributing over a 3rd of my net income (33%) which I can no longer afford.
I am in full time employment and am not married to my childs mother. I am prepared to continue paying the child maintenance but am I still legally required to pay child minders fee's as well? My solicitor says not, but my ex partner who earns more than I and has ownership of the family home/car etc (which we both contributed to) says I am responsible for both . I look after my son at my rented property 2-3 nights per week.
Has anyone been in a similar situation or has any advice. I obviously want to do the best for my son but I can't continue to give him (nor myself) a good quality of life when he is with me if I continue paying both payments.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi
Unless there is an existing court order saying that you have to pay for the child minder, then the answer is no, the maintenance covers everything. You can approach the CSA yourself and ask them to assess and handle the maintenance - simple calculation in your case is 15% of your pay, and then deduct 2/7ths as you have your daughter for more than 104 nights per year - however, beware about making the 2/7ths reduction as your ex may then cut down your access - she shouldn't but you can see that there is financial advantage to her doing so.
Many thanks ActD, thats most reassuring. Have a great Christmas.
Kindest
Tooting Dad
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