Nil assessment - business in partner's name!

I have been battling the CSA for the last 6 years to try to get some child maintenance. NRP claims that he is not working and that his lifestyle is funded by friends and family. However, I know that he is working, but he has put the business and any of his assets into his partners name.

He doesn't claim benefits. He also enjoys several foreign holidays each year (sometimes the CSA are aware they are talking to him while he is sunbathing by a pool!). His partner works full time for another company, yet is the director of 'his' company. The company website has HIS name and mobile number on it. DS regales me of how he works alongside him when he has contact. NRP is often late for pick-up/drop-off due to 'business commitments' (I have texts to prove it, both from him and his partner) and has even missed family court appearances with the same excuse.

I have sent the CSA reams of information to prove he is working. The CSA told me to apply for a variation 2 years ago on the grounds that he was diverting funds through his girlfriend and that he had a lifestyle inconsistent with his means. They lost the paperwork for the first variation and it was not processed. So they told me to submit another variation form. 9 months later they told me that the variation would not be accepted as my ex-partner was not working and being sustained by friends and family - PRECISELY THE REASON WHY THEY TOLD ME TO APPLY FOR VARIATION IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Today's call to the CSA resulted in the operator telling me that they did not investigate fraud and that the only way forward for me was to go to the CAB and see if they can help ME to investigate this. As far as they are concerned, there is nothing left to do.

So 6 years down the line, with the situation unchanged throughout, having jumped through the hoops laid out by the CSA and endured their incompetence.....I am right back at square one! Why could they not have told me this 6 years ago!?


Perhaps someone on here can offer more useful information than the trained monkeys at the CSA? I don't know what to do next.

Hi Parity & welcome to Wiki

Top of the list of weasels is men that scheme not to pay CM (not men that can't .......)

I have no magic solution for you, just wanted to send hugs & support.

WR x

did it ever get to the criminal compliance team? it might be worth seeing if you can get it pushed across there. And have you sent them your evidence? If he's texting etc. then transcribe the texts and send them on with a clear explanation (and keep the texts in case they're ever needed). Point out the flippin' obvious to the CSA because they are inundated with people in this situation and at some level, need you do to their jobs for them as they won't do it themselves. I think when the move over to charging us for their services, they are going to have a massive shock in terms of our expectations because as a paying customer, I am going to be expecting a lot more!

In terms of the company, did he used to be the sole director? if he did, there should have been some kind of sale/transfer to his partner. Can you see this in his accounts? If you don't have accounts and he's limited, you can download these from the Companies House website. Have a good look at them - could be very revealing.

the other thing to do is get someone unknown to him to make a business enquiry - purchasing his services, buying what he sells (if possible) and get him to send out company literature. Very revealing in my ex's case! Worth keeping an eye on the website (and point out the website and any obvious inconsistencies to the CSA) as that too is revealing. Sign up to the business via Facebook, Twitter etc. if he does that (you can create a false account for precisely that purpose if needs be but I think the information gained in that way is problematic from a court point of view - still, you're just gathering info for the CSA. They need to make it stick, not you!.

All else fails, there's a 'dobbing in' to the HMRC. Can be done anonymously via their website. Sorry not to give much hope. There are a lot of us around with the same experience receiving nothing at all or far less than we should do.

I don't have an answer for you other than to say the CSA is the worst organisation I have ever had dealings with.

Are you in financial difficulties or can you manage without the child support - may be a silly question but the hassle you must have had for the last six years - is it worth it? Especially as the father of your child has obviously gone to great lengths to avoid paying.

I have never had any CM for my daughter who is now 17 - somehow you do manage and the kids grow up and know the truth.

Sorry not to give the most helpful advice, but if it is giving you so much grief I would try and make your own way in life and provide for your child as best you can.

Unfortunately, his partner was on the scene when the company was incorporated....so she was appointed director from the outset. However, the secretary listed on the incorporation documents is the NRP's grandmother, who doesn't even live in the country!

But of course....he himself has nothing to do with the company, does he?!

Shame I can't afford a PI to prove that he's the one doing all the work and pocketing all the money! NRP is happy to brag about how well his business is doing when he collects our DS.

I Like Mum's suggestion of turning PI yourself .......... cheaper and more satisfying ........

WR

what a nightmare. have you looked at the accounts?