Child Maintenance - Should I include my bonus

Should I include my bonus in the calculation of the child maintenance? Also if your ex is making as much as you and receive the weekly child benefits for both of your children does it make any difference? Also she is renting out a flat that she owns in London. Does it make a difference?

I don't know the answer to the bonus question, sorry. You'll need to speak to the CSA. Logic dictates that it should be included but anything goes where the CSA are concerned!

That you earn the same means nothing at all. That she has rental income means nothing at all. You are still obliged to pay child maintenance to the primary carer of your children.

Jeff - You will need to evidence your income with wage slips, if it's on the wage slip it will be added to the assessment.

My advice is to exclude overtime and any bonus payment and just use your basic income for the calculation - provided your wage slips support that position.

Income from resident parent has no relevance to your calculation.

Also, do not complete the direct debit mandate - instead insist on paying by standing order. Trust me on this, will save you years of stress doing it that way.

yes bonus needs to be included if it's a normal thing.

For example in my case, my ex had alwayd received a bonus and it is considered part of his renumeration.

Bonus is averaged for the period it relates to, a year or 6 months or whatever. Include it if asked.

As per previous respondent go for staning Order not DD even though they may tell you this is no longer an option and NEVER have telephone contact, keep it all in writing.

if you mention the bonus, they WILL use it. I was asked did i do any regular overtime, 'no' was my answer as i dont. they received my payslips and saw that i had ONE hours overtime in each (monthly) as i had stayed late at work. they have put this in as regular overtime, despite the fact that prior to the last two months i haven't done any in the previous eight months.