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i have 4 children from my first marriage. one has left home one has left school and now working part time, one is in full time education and the other lives with me and is in full time education. i have two further children with my new wife who does not work or recieve benefits. my ex wife works and has a husband on benefits.do i have to pay maintenance for the child that lives at my ex wife's home and does she have to pay me for the child that lives with me?
Hi and welcome
I have often wondered whether any cases such as yours exist. I would interpret the rules exactly as you have stated (assuming that, when you say full time education, you are not talking university) in that your ex pays you 15% of her income and you pay her 15% of yours, assuming you are both earning more than £100 per week.
I will ask out expert from CMO to pop on and give an opinion on this, so keep checking back, though it may be after the bank holiday now.
Hi, I'm Sarah, a Child Maintenance Options consultant.
The moderator is right about you both having to pay a percentage of your income.
However, if you use the CSA, the exact amount may vary, depending on your income and which scheme you are on (1993 scheme or 2003 scheme). This is determined by when your case was opened - if it was opened before March 2003 you will be on the 1993 scheme, if it was after then you'll be on the 2003 scheme.
Of course, you don't have to use the CSA at all - if you feel that you can reach an agreement with your ex-partner, then a family-based arrangement (where no-one else gets involved) might be the best option for you.
For more information about family-based arrangements and access to useful tools and forms online you can visit www.cmoptions.org, or if you'd prefer a confidential chat you could call the Child Maintenance Options team on 0800 988 0988 (free from a landline).
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