Want to pay CM / ex will make it difficult

ifoundout wrote:

Thanks. Much clearer. I spend between 250 and 350 per month on fuel, circa 450 miles a week and 900 the weekend he stays with me (double trip). Would I be able to offset some of that or just £10 a week.

When you use the statutory scheme and apply for a variation contact costs are based on an established pattern of visits and are calculated as an average weekly amount. The first £10 or £15 is disregarded (if memory serves me well!) when calculating adjustments to the maintenance calculation.

The effect of a variation application is to reduce the weekly income of the paying parent which is used to make the maintenance calculation.

So, if your average reasonable travel expenses are £300/month that would be approx £70/week. The first £10 or £15 is disregarded leaving £55 or £60 which is deducted from your weekly income before the usual calculation. That means you would pay about £8 or £9 less child maintenance weekly.

That''s my understanding but it''s worth contacting CM Options for confirmation in case I''ve missed something.

fab. many thanks