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Hi,
I need some advice. I have just received a letter from CSA saying I have to pay for a child that I was told was not mine (by the mother).
The child in question is now four years old.She was born in Spain, as that is where me and the mother were living at the time. I split up with the mother not long after the child was born. Just before she was born I found out that she had been having an affair. She assured me that I was the father of the baby, but refused to do a DNA test.
I tried hard to be there for the first few months, my name was put on the birth certificate, but I ended up leaving. It was then she told me that there were a potential 6 other fathers (!), and I wasnt the dad.
As I was still unsure if I was the father or not, I tried to keep in contact. My ex and her family made this very difficult for me, even sending me death threats. My ex would say I could see the child one minute, then change her mind as soon as a new boyfriend came on the scene. Then she moved back to England with the child.
Even know I did not know for sure that she was mine, I tried to do things legally. However, because I was living in Spain (were the fathers have more rights) and she had moved back to the UK, and would not tell me where she was living, the Solicitors said the only thing I could do was to have the mother arrested for Kidnap when she next arrived in spain, as she had taken the child out of the country without my permission. I did not think that this would be the right thing to do, as the child would have a mother in prison!
After lots more hassle, I stopped trying. I had other emails sent to me saing that I wasnt the father. And then I heard nothing more.
I moved back to the Uk at christmas with my partner of now, and my 7 month old son. And this week ireceived a letter from the CSA saying that my ex has made a claim for CSA. I have rang the CSA and explained my situation, and said that I can not see the child, I have been told that it is not mine. I am completely willing to pay for her if she is mine, but I want proof first. They have said that because I am the one that is disputing the paternity of the child I would have to pay for the DNA test! Even tho I have numerous emailds saying that the child is not mine. Is this right?
Also, how much will they be able to take from me? I dont earn a lot of money as it is, I dont claim benifits, and I need to support my family. Where do I stand on this?
Your feedback would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi,
The CSA are correct that you have to pay for the DNA test, but I believe that if the child is proved not to be yours, then the CSA refund this money to you.
With regards to how much you pay - if you are earning more than £100 per week, then you will pay 15% of takehome pay, less 15% of this because you have another child to support - works out at 12.75% of your takehome pay.
Hi kiH,
Thanks for sharing! This sounds like a very complex situation you find yourself in. I hope you find the CSA helpful & find out once & for all if you are the Father. Do you know how much it will cost yet for the DNA test to be done? I'm sure however much it is, it'll be well worth finding out for sure. Keep us posted on how you get on.
Daddyto4
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