University Fees

Just read through this thread- why are you supporting your step-children? Surely your partner should be pursuing her ex for regular maintenance?

I didnt read it as the op is supporting his step children, but that his new partner is having to support her children without assistance from her ex, so her income is also very tight.

The op has waited 4 years before moving in with his new partner, carefully worked out all their finances, only to have been told after the event that he ''has'' to support child through uni.

Supporting a child through uni is a decision both parents need to discuss and decide how and if they can support their child. not one party being told they have to pay up.

But parents with whom children live are told what contribution they should make towards a student''s finance by the Students Loan Company.

Teecher....
We have been pursuing him for four years.....he left leaving huge debts and then claimed not to be working....the CSA have been as helpful as they can. He has recently started working but self employed, which will allow him to ''lose'' income...we have to wait until his accounts are available in April to see how we can proceed.

someone pointed out that, it was his choice to have this new relationship and move on in a house together etc, good for him, it was also his daughters choice to not see him for 2 years and then drop a solicitors letter on his doorstep! her choice.
When people divorce, yes they each have to support the kids but like me, NRP, you are forced, in my case forced, to start a new life with your kids only in for 15% approx, so my life desicions are mine and they partly include the kids, but not totally.
Most kids have to get a loan and my friends kids are going to uni, they both earn good wages and married by the way, but they are not paying.

So, my take on this is, I would ignore solicitors write to daughter saying sorry, if we had been involved for last couple of years things might be different but my circumstances have changed and sorry but cant support you although will help where I can with some money.

Bobbinalong...thanks for this.
Sadly she does have right to make a claim against me using the Children''s Act thus ignoring the solicitor will not put off the inevitable. I have this week made her an offer but not what she has asked for to try and and stop the ever mounting solicitor''s costs. No response after five days!

Fiona wrote:

But parents with whom children live are told what contribution they should make towards a student''s finance by the Students Loan Company.

Hi Fiona,

You are quite right. My middle daughter is at Uni and my Ex (her step-dad) suddenly stopped all payments half-way through her first year - no warning - even though he had promised her faithfully he would see her through Uni as he had brought her up from age 3. So daughter spoke to student loans and they said as mum is on benefits (I think if my income was under £22,000 which it was) and they cant seek it from dad as he doesnt live with us then she was entitled to the full amount of Student Loan which she has done for the past two years.

In hardship cases like this they will almost certainly approve the full loan to the daughter of OP. I wonder whether she has actually spoken to Uni about it - maybe she doesnt realise she can do this.

Carer