Help with Child Maintenance?

Hi All,

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I've been paying my child maintenance for six years without fail, but over the last two years my business has made a loss and so I've been supporting myself and paying maintenance with savings (from selling my flat). The CSA has not been involved as my ex and I arranged a Consent Order to set the payments. Soon all my savings will be gone and if business doesn't pick up I'll be in financial trouble. Where can I get help with my payments? - I don't want to stop paying for my kids.

Cheers

Hello

you should contact your wife to let her your haveing problems then the csa to explain your new circumstances all you need is on the csa website the consent order can then be varied ( changed) and with luck your payments will be reduced.

dukey

What an honourable Dad you are - I hope that doesn't sound rude but with so many that don't have the conscience and decency you have it makes a refreshing change and you are trying very hard to do the right thing - and have done!

I think Dukey's answer kind of fits the bill. I think avoiding involving the CSA though is a wise move - agreeing with your ex is far preferable and you seem to have managed that so far - another good thing!

Thanks for that, but I don't want my ex and the kids to end up with less just because I'm going through a bad patch (understatement) - I was hoping there might be some kind of benefit to top it up temporarily. I don't trust the CSA - especially as they don't count continuing to pay my ex's mortgage, which I did for quite a while before changing to the consent order.

(Previous comment was meant for dukey)

Thankyou for your kind words Elizabeth - I do my best - some of us dads take this child raising business seriously, even if we are compelled to go our separate ways in terms of the original marriage. The negotiations must continue, of course it's not easy by any stretch, but my daughters are very much part of me, and I am there for them whatever happens.

what a wonderful father you are, you really are , it is nice to know there are caring people like you out there to support your children, my ex does not, ( the judge said he should be ashamed to be a man) r I agree with the others be honest with your wife and hopefully she will understand, it may be a temporary situation and i hope it will improve for your sake and the children , good luck