Maybe it depends whether the mother is on benefits how quickly they act and how much maintenance?

Another friend was on benefits, her csa calculation for self employed oh to pay was £754 per month. They were so quick to sort this out and get the court orders etc because she was only entitled to £10 per week being on benefits and they kept the rest!

It's still worth going to the CSA, even if you get nothing out of him... He still has a legal obligation to pay maintenance at the end of the day.

The problem with him being self-employed is that he can declare whatever he wants, BUT the CSA should take into account the previous years declared earnings from what I gather (my ex went self-employed and ended up paying £7 per week to his exwife, which was then reduced to £5 per week cus she got £98k divorce settlement and still complained she didnt get enough).

Thanks for your replies.  I had to give him the money as my solicitor said he would be homeless if he has no deposit and may then not vacate the property when we complete. The CAB have said the debt is joint and severable therefore if I pay my half and he doesn't pay a penny then I could be asked to pay his half..... not great.  I have heard a lot of people not getting maintenance via CSA in self employment cases I guess I will just have to try it and see it just seems so unfair that he can getaway with it all.  Guess it's take a deep breath and think at least I am well rid!!

Sorry to be the pessamist here but my ex is self employed and in 6 years the CSA have not been sucessfull in getting a single penny out of him!  It seems to have been very easy for him o be able to 'disappear.'  We're in the process of a 3rd referal to the courts for permission to get the bailiffs to visit him which is a total waste of time but I live in hope that one day he'll pay something.....!

As he is elf employed the CSA can help and have a duty to, it just takes longer like a year with them needing to force him to pay legally eg court orders etc my friend went through it and it took her 10 months to see a penny but then she got all the arrears backdated and weekly payments! Good luck.

Not sure why you had to give the money, I would not have.

Debts, you need to contact all the companies and somehow get them split so that he has to take liability. Not sure how, maybe go to the CAB.

As for the bank account, if that is your money in their as well, stop putting money in, open your own, take out your money, and take your name off the account.

Hi, just spoke to my ex who is moving out of our home next wk (I moved last week) as it's sold.  He says he can't afford to pay anything for the children or our joint debt and as I "chose" to leave hm (none of it being his fault and I won't bore you with the details right now) he shouldn't be expected to...... He is self employed, I am employed and pay everything for the kids including child care so I can work.  Where do I stand, i have been told CSA can't really help as he's self employed.  I did suggest he buy the girls shoes this weekend as my eldest needs school shoes which he said he might do.

Have just had to give him deposit so he can move out for £1200 which has wiped me out we have £29k of joint debt he expects me to pay off and just looked on his bank statement (can do as it's all on-line) to discover he's just paid £304.99 to block busters so presume he's brought an X Box or PS3 or something similar - I just can't believe where his priorities are at the moment.

Thanks for the rant - anyone else experienced similar or have any words of wisdom?!!!