Child Support and mortgage rent

My husband left (for another woman who he is still living with) June 08 and was paying an acceptable amount of money wich reduced each month until he left his job (45k pa) at Xmas - he then told me that i would need to budget (and asked for details of all my outgoings to determine how much i would need) he decided pay me £250 pm for children and mortgage/rent whilst he retrained. In June he has taken a new job on the same a salary as before and is now asking me to give him details of my expenses again so he can work out how much to give me....surely he should use the csa calculator and pay me that amount and then some toward mortgage and rent. i will divorce him shortly but the last few months on a very tight budget has used up all my available cash. I work part time as i am the sol carer of tow children aged 7&9. Can any one offer any advice? I'm at the end of my tether!

Gee

Welcome to wiki ... a lot of us know exactly how you feel!!

There is indeed a standard way to calculate CM - it should be 20% of net income for 2 children .. with adjustments for overnights spent with him.

Spousal Maintenance is a different matter. There are no specific rules. It is part of a bigger financial picture. DivorceLawyer has just written and excellent explanation of SM .. it is posted at the very top of the various financial forums.

If you have not already, you need to apply for tax credits as a single parent ASAP. You can also apply for maintenance pending suit to help keep you afloat if he will not pay on a voluntary basis.

A DIY divorce is not very costly - mostly just te court fee of £300 which you cd ask him to pay .. or you can use an online service - available from wiki (and others. The thing that does cost - if you cannot agree - is the ancillary relief (finances). But if you can agree a sensible settlement between you that need not be silly money. If he is cohabiting he may well want a divorce and settlement soonest so perhaps he will play ball and agree an amicable settlement?

If you want advice on what a fair settlement could be, you can post information here on wiki and wikipeeps will provide you with a guesstimate.

Hadenoughnow

My husband walked out las year for another woman and gave me a reasonable amount for the two children.
Come Feb he suddenly slashed it to what he claimed was the CSA level, he did a rough guesstimate from online.
However I have now rung the CSA and they say it is better to do it officially. I apply giving details of his employer, address etc and also my details.
They will then get it done officially so that its a set amount.
Since I know he has had a pay rise and only guessed what was the right amount then I should bedue some more.
I would say call the CSA, or apply online because then its above board and he cannot argue or take it away,. he is currently paying you far too little.
They want to keep as much money for themselves and their new parnter, your children are entitled to this dont let him walk over you because it cannot be backdated, go for it now
good luck
GFx