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CSA advice forum » Child Support Agency

1. Trapped
   Member
   
   

   I had been involved with a girl last year in january. A few months later the girl ended up pregnant(I don't remember the exact month). I had stopped seeing that girl the third week of january, so I was pretty confident I wasn't the kid's dad, but I asked her just in case we needed to make plans for an abortion/adoption. Girl said it wasn't mine, and to "do the math" regarding the months. I no longer have this email she sent as I thought it was over.

   Fast forward to a few days ago, she has someone contact me through email as I cut off all traces of contact with her. This leads to a heated confrontation that comes to a head yesterday where the girl has this other person send me an email saying I'm the kids dad, and that she's coming after me for back child support for refusing to help her. I got into it with her over the phone(she sent her number for me to call her), and she mocked me saying even if I refused to pay I'd just end up in jail and she'd get "her money". She gave me the child support agency case worker's number to call them, and I called that lady named Sydney, and she told me I had to wait until monday for the girl to submit the application, but she told me even if the application is submitted that doesn't automatically mean I'd be forced to pay support, and the case could still get thrown out.

   I'm just freaking out about this as if I am the dad she would have robbed me of the chance to get an abortion or set up an adoption, and then get back child support from me for being a "deadbeat". What can I do short of offing myself if worst comes to worst and she's able to get the child support?

   Posted 1 year ago #

2. Indeego
   Member
   
   

   Okay, first off don't panic. Best thing to do is verify you are the father, this can be done via a DNA test, which is payable unfortunately, but if it does come out that you are not the father then that is the end of it and you will have nothing more to pay or need dealings with the CSA.
   If you are the father then the mother is entitled to claim for CSA, but the back payment is only calculated from the date the CSA received a claim from the parent with care, not from the date the child was born, so if it is a case of the claim only just arriving to CSA on Monday that will be the start date.
   If it is proven you are the father and have to pay maintenance, please do consider your options rather than considering this is the wort case scenario, if you are the father consider obtaining contact with your child and be part of their life perhaps.

   Posted 1 year ago #

3. Nicolai
   Member
   
   

   Indeego has already given you great advice - don't panic!!

   The CSA will ask if you think you are the father, you say no, then they will offer you a DNA test and ask if you would be prepared to pay for it - say yes to both of these questions, get yourself to you local doctors and give a DNA sample - you may not be the father.

   Try to look at the situation a little differently too - you say you have missed the opportunity to have the child aborted/adopted... In reality, you never had these options in the first place, as the child was inside another person, and she has a mind of her own - she clearly didn't want to get rid of the child did she?

   Finally, if you are the father, stop this selfish talk of topping yourself, man up, treat it like one of lifes happy accidents, and become involved in your child's life - it may be the greatest mistake you ever made! And so what if you have to pay for your child, you should wear that as a badge of honour that you are able to love and support your child, giving it the best possible chance in life!

   Posted 1 year ago #

4. prohonesty2010
   Member
   
   

   sorry but a little of the info you have been given is incorrect but it actually works out better for you :)
   if she has made an application or is about to... it will not be backdated to when she made the application it will start from the day the agency make contact with you to tell you there is an application- they will either phone you or send you out a form. if you are not on the birth certificate, havent adopted the child or werent married to her from date of conception to date of the birth then you can say you dont think you are the father and they will offer you a dna test- u can opt for the agency to pay for it- if you are the father you will be asked to pay it back ( u can do this in installments) but it does cost slightly more than if u offer to pay it up front. either way if you are not the father u will either get the money back you paid for the test or not have to pay it back if the agency paid for it- the only thing to be wary of is you agree to a dna test and then dont turn up for your appointments for the test or ignore letters etc , they can then legally presume you are the father.

   Posted 1 year ago #

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