giving up work when paying CSA
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- giving up work when paying CSA
27/5/08 13:56
27/5/08 11:31
Hi everyone, I'm a newbie to bounty but going through a bit of a tough time at the moment with csa. My dp's has 3 kids from his first marriage aged 18,16 and 14. Their mum claims that the eldest 2 are still in full time education although we're 95% sure that this is not the case, the csa however have said they we have to carry on paying for them however until their mum stops claiming child benefit for them (like she's gonna stop claiming that voluntarily!!).
My DP has always contributed to their upkeep and as such their mum has never worked etc whilst I had to return to work as soon as my SMP ran out when my little girl was 6 months old (yes, I'm bitter!). They own their own house, we rent, they have a new car every year, ours is a banger, they have America, we have Haven Holidays! I work full time and earn 25k but have to pay nursery costs of nearly £700 per month. DP also works full time but only earns £14k per year and only comes out with £600 pounds per month after paying 25% of his wage to his ex. Therefore, we're worse off by DP working and I'm sure that we'd prob get more help as a family from tax credits if our overall income was only 25k?. My question is if Dp gave up work to be a full time stay at home dad to out little girl what would happen? Would he still be liable for the £200, would I be? I know its bad for the 14 year old but I just feel we've been ripped off for paying for the 18 year old for the last 2 years when she's been working so would it even it out? Any advice would be great as we're really struggling at the moment, I feel bad even suggesting it but my priority surely has to be my family?



Hiya, I know how your feeling hun! The short answer is NO, you wouldnt be liable to pay for the kids. Its your money but HIS children. If he receives any income (even benefits) he will be liable for £5 a week, regardless of how many children he has.
My DP had to give up work and stay at home because of the CSA. However, I decided to pay some to his ex just so were still paying for the kids but its nowhere near what the CSA wanted us to pay because, put simply, we couldnt live with what they were asking us to pay! We couldnt pay the rent, let alone live!