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I pay my money every week without fail. Someone told me to stop payments ( we sorted it out ourselves) and let my EX to come after it from me.
My kids are 13 and 14 and are left home alone 5 nights a week , from 4 to 12 midnight , she is a barmaid. The other 2 nights my mother has them.
As no one is looking after them , especially their mum, what do I do ?
Hi there and welcome 🙂
I would advise against stopping payments, she is still the resident parent and is in receipt of child benefit for them so is entitled to it.
If you think you are paying too much then google the CSA calculator, this will give you a rough estimate of what you should be paying, less a reduction for the nights the children spend away from home.
As far as leaving them unattended 5 nights a week, I'm not sure of the age that this would be allowable from. However I've got a feeling its 14, I would try and find out but it seems unlikely that there would be any consequences because of this as they are both teenagers, and the oldest is of an age where it might be deemed acceptable for him/her to childmind for the 13yr old.
You could try talking to the mum about any concerns you have, and letting her know how you feel.
Thanks for that , do I pay if the kids stop at my mothers 2 nights a week or is that classed as away from home ? as in do I pay for 7 nights or 5 a week.
... If you were paying through the CSA, they would reduce your payment by 2/7ths I think. But as its an agreement between yourselves then the "rules" dont apply. As I mentioned, if you have a go at the CSA calculator it will factor in a reduction for 104 nights per year and then give you an amount you should be paying. If this turns out to be less than you're currently paying then you could try and re-negotiate a fairer amount....if it turns out your paying less then they recommend, well then you're quids in!
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