Am I paying a reasonable amount?

August 28, 2012

I currently pay maintenance for my two children (aged 12). I pay £400/month which has reduced from £600/month in the last 18months. This was agreed by my husband and I as part of our divorce settlement.

I have paid this amount for at least 5-6 years and the children spend every other weekend with me and one evening during the week. I also see them for 3-4 weeks holiday a year. Am I paying a reasonable amount ?

Many thanks for your help and advice.

Comments

  • Carol says:

    Maintenance with the CSA is based on your income. For 2 children the case would take 20% of your net salary. There would also be deductions for overnight stays.

    It does seems a reasonable amount but here is a link to the CSA calculator which can maybe help you http://www.csacalculator.dsdni.gov.uk/calc.asp

  • merlin says:

    that far 2 high i have the same access as you and i pay £165 per month
    and i have 2 children

    what you need to do is
    get a court order of your access
    send to the wankers (csa) recorded delivery through your mp for a faster response
    this will give a reduction of your cm mine went from 200 to 165
    ask for a complete break down of a maintenance paid use the csa calculator to see what it come up with

  • merlin says:

    ps all holidays you have with ur children send to to your x partner in writing recorded derilvery with time and dates on and ask for a response in writing so if you have a a signed record of them

    reason for doing this
    is simple when u take the scum bags to court or ur x you can prove the you had that access time and no reductions on cm
    which proven you have effectilvy paid cm twice
    you pay to have the children

  • Tim says:

    Ignore merlin and listen to Carol. CSA payments aren’t based on what is reasonable. If that was the case, it would be a fixed cost for every child.

    They simply take a percentage of your income. Under CSA2 it is 20% of your net income for 2 children. Under CSA3 it will be 16% of your gross income for your first £800 per week and 12% for any weekly income over £800.

  • merlin says:

    give me your email address and ill send you copys to prove it

  • Terry says:

    Well i am paying £99.95 a week for 1 child. She is 15.

  • chall says:

    Julie,

    What one person considers ‘reasonable’, another may not…

    As you have given no insight into your income/financial position OR the needs/requirements of your children when they stay with the PWC, it’s impossible to say.

    Was the divorce settlement agreed by the courts?
    Was the £600pm fully intended for child maintenance or was something else included?
    Why did you and your ex agree to reduce the amount you pay to £400pm?

    chall ~ afairercsaforall

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