Does new wife support ex-wife?

Hi, I am soon to be married to my partner, who has two children with his ex-wife. He pays child maintenance and generally things are amicable between us and his ex-wife. We have the kids 3 days every week, and we know we are over paying what we are obliged to - but that's what we've agreed and it works.

However, we now find ourselves in a situation where he is potentially facing redundancy and we want to understand how this might affect child maintenance payments.

Our understanding is that if he does not earn, he cannot pay the child maintenance to his ex-wife... that seems straightforward enough. Once he has a job again, obviously things will resume as before.

What is less clear is how I play into this scenario. Are there any obligations that I have to pay the ex-wife anything? We are not yet married, but will be in 6 months time - does this change anything?

We are planning for a worst case scenario where we live on only my salary. If anyone can help it would appreciated.

Thanks

No, it is your partner who has a responsibility to his children. His income is his income and yours is yours.

Charles

Thank you Charles!

I think if you are in a good relationship with his ex-wife, try talking to her and explain that for a while until the husband finds a new job, you will not pay the payment for the children that you owe. I think she will understand and you will stop worrying about it.
My ex-husband and I had a similar situation. When we filed for divorce , our children stayed with me. Then ex-husband was fired from work, and he didn't have money to pay child support. But nothing, the children and I lived on my money for some time... Then, as soon as my husband found a new job, payments resumed and everything fell into place.

If it;s a short term problem I probably would pay the child support out of the house hold income or offer to have the children more often to cover food etc when you aren't paying. Worth it to stay on good terms

You aren't supporting the Ex wife btw you are supporting his children.