CSA taking money away from my children
I’d like to be very clear on one thing before we start, as like many father like me I love my children dearly and would lay my life down for them. My ex wife and I separated and divorced 8 years ago, since then I have always tried to concentrate on her better points i.e her love for the children, however she has a very evil side and has used drugs and drink since I have known her despite having clinical mental health problems.
Since the split I have been there for my children, very often when she is not, I have gathered them up from their beds and taken them to my mothers on occasions when she has been off her head. We ran up huge debts during our marriage, most in my name, when we sold the house the transfer of money was controlled by her solicitor, because she was still resident in the house, on completion £16,000 went into her account, with which she paid of all debts that were in her name! Leaving me with £34,000 worth of debt! I suggested we use the CSA from the start as I wanted to ensure we had an accurate record of my payments.
At the time I was in part time work, on a low income and high rental costs , so my first assessment was for £8.90 for two children! this was a surprise to me but at the time it was all I could afford. Over the years I have cared for my children on 3 nights a week paying for their school uniforms, School meals shoes , clothes, and started paying off the debt through an IVA, basically getting my life back together, I told my children if the ever needed anything, to let me know, however the CSA payment remained the same and all concerned seemed happy with the arrangement . My ex recently contacted the CSA after she heard I had had a promotion at work and I was re-assessed this time it was a very different figure £62.00 a week plus £1400 arrears to be paid off in £20.00 weekly instalments direct from my pay!!
Plus £1.00 a week for the privilege of then taking money from my account. My IVA is now under threat and I am facing bankruptsy. I applied for departures due to the massive debt my ex and I ran up but it was refused I asked the CSA why they were taking money directly from my account when I had always paid by standing order ON TIME EVERY WEEK and some muppett who wouldn’t’ tell me his name said it was because the computers at that particular office can not process standing orders!! So for the shortcomings of the CSA I have to pay a pound a week, which over the life on my CSA involvement will equate over £500 money that could go to my children , The bottom line is money has been taken from my children.
Their mother is on benefits so she only keeps £20. Of the money I pay in, she spends her money on drugs and drink while my children’s school dinners are not being paid, which is embarrassing for me and then, their school uniform is falling off them and my youngest has been wearing her slippers to school. I am facing financiaI meltdown so I have to watch this happen to my dear children.
What do the CSA think when I explain? It’s as if they are laughing, it really is…..