[Solved] CSA

To the best of my knowledge, if you are the biological father (unless you have donated sperm via an official sperm bank), then you are financially liable for the maintenance of your children, in which case, the CSA can chase you for maintenance.

Cheers actd...as I say..all this advice..lol

My situation is probably going to have to go down the legal route now, and whilst I have no probs in contributing (but at the mo I'm out of work) - I just need to make sure precisely where the land lies on this!

If you are out of work and on benefits (JSA?), then you are liable for a flat £5 per week, from the date the first contacted you. If you are in arrears, I think you could probably arrange to page arrears at a rate of £1.25 per week.

Hi markmdh,

Are you the biological father ?

Just trying to work out if the question you are asking is "I am the biological parent but am not listed on the Birth Certificate am I liable to pay child maintenance". I will ask the Childrens Legal Centre to have a look at this.

But you could also call Child Maintenance Options who can give impartial information and support. The website is here or if you would like to talk to them the phone number is 0800 988 0988.

Gooner :ugeek:

Hi Gooner

Yes..I am the biological father..and, to my knowledge I have not been listed on the Birth Certificate..

I do want to pay maintenance once I get myself back into work..but I want to know where I stand, as regards liability

Mark

In which case, you are liable as above, ie £5 per week assuming you are getting benefits, and once you start working, it's 15% of your takehome pay after certain allowable deductions (travel to contact, pensions are the main allowables).

Dear Markmdh,

Thank you for contacting the Children’s Legal Centre, we apologise for the delay in responding to your query.

If you are the biological father of a child then you are liable to pay maintenance and can be contacted by the Child Support Agency regarding this if a claim is made by the mother.

If you are not named on the birth certificate you are able to argue that you are not the father, in which case the CSA may agree to DNA testing, at your expense (this can often be claimed back if it is proven you are not the father).

Should DNA tests prove that you are the biological father of the child, then the CSA would perform a calculation based on your income as to what amount of maintenance you should be paying. This is usually 15% of your annual income for one child, but can be reduced for certain reasons.

Should it be shown that you are not the biological father, then you would not be liable to pay maintenance for this child in most circumstances.

With regards to maintenance it is not relevant whether or not you are named on the birth certificate if you are the biological father of the child, as this can still be sought from you even if you are not named.

It may be worth noting that if someone else is named on the birth certificate even if they are not the biological father, then maintenance can also be sought from this person until it is proven they are not the father, as signing the birth certificate states legally that a person agrees they are a biological parent of a child.

We hope this answers your question. Should you require further advice please contact the Child Law Advice Line on 0808 8020 008 and an advisor will be happy to help you.

Kind Regards
Children’s Legal Centre

Thanks for getting back to me 🙂

I've got no probs with paying maintenance, but just needed clarification on the situation 🙂

as for the b/c I thought it was illegal to name someone other than the biological father on the form, as it comes under the whole thing about falsifying information on the form ?

Mark