Can you pay CSA only what you can afford?
I am writing on behalf of my partner who has three children from a previous relationship. He has a typical wicked ex, refuses to let him see the children, bitter and jealous etc etc and we have just had a court summons regarding over £6000 arrears to CSA.
My question is, what can the CSA do if you only pay what you can afford? We have a child together and a home to run and i do not think it fair that we have to struggle while she goes on holiday twice a year, lives in a brand new house, has two cars, dresses herself and her kids in designer clothes etc etc.
I am not saying that my partner shouldn’t pay, i know he needs to pay for his children, just wondering what they can do if you only pay whay you can afford? Surely they cannot send you to prison if you can prove you are paying all you can?
Any comments on this or advice from anyone in a similar position would be great
2 thoughts on “Can you pay CSA only what you can afford?”
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Hi Claire,
Is the case old rules OR new rules?
If the agency have made a calculation for liability, then any short fall will be classed as arrears. Until administrative liability orders are used the agency need to go to court to gain one, which opens the gateway to further enforcement action ie; bailiffs, third party debt orders/charging orders on property etc.
The agency can, without going to court, impose a Deduction of Earnings order directly from earnings OR a Deduction order directly from a deposit taker (bank).
Re; The summons received regarding £6k arrears – are you sure the amount is correct and has the case been subjected to a penalty/interim assessment that has not been converted into a proper assessment and could have inflated said arrears?
If you have only just recieved the summons the likely hood is you are going to be running off the new csa. at least on the new one you get to keep money back from your partners wage to go towards the child you have together.
If you are stuck on how much you think he should be paying then go onto their site as they have a calculator you can use it will also help you to work out why he owes the £6000. and if it includes court payments etc because if the csa is good at one thing its court costs and threatening you with fines if you dont do this or that and hiding behing the goverment saying it was the goverment that gave them the power to fine you!