Hi,
I have been paying my ex wife around £30 a week since we broke up about 2 years ago private arrangement. I recently fell sick and had to give up work depending a major operation very shortly. I am only in receipt of £65pw and had to reduce the maintenance payments to £15pw. I felt she never believed my situation and she has denied me access to my child for well over a year now.
I am starting legal action to rectify the access.
My question is this though. I received a letter and pack from the CSA. I filled it in immediately and returned it with the necessary proof. I have paid the arrears immediately but they have gone straight for an attachment of £5pw out of my benefit. Obviously I am better off under this arrangement but it is only going to enrage my ex wife even more.
My friend is currently dealing with her ex to get maintenance through the CSA and they are insisting she goes along the maintenance direct route even though he is refusing to pay.
Obviously if I was offered this option I could have paid more and kept the situation less volatile by continuing with our arranged amount. Does anyone know under what circumstances the CSA would jump straight for the attachment without giving me at least a chance?
Be interesting to find out for when I meet my solicitor in January. I know she has a history of claiming I am mentally unstable and has even tried to have me sectioned. This has all been laughed of by the Police and my GP is furious as her basis is I took anti-depressants four years ago. I wondered if any of the above accusations may have influenced the CSA?
Thanks