Non-Resident parent won't pay CSA, upcoming Family Court appearance. Can CSA be resolved at that hearing?

[JayRed]

Hi, I'm posting this on behalf of a friend who isn't computer literate.

She has 2 children with an ex-partner. They are 7 and 8 years old. The ex-partner hasn't seen the children for over 6 years. My friend has spent the best part of the last 2 years trying to get him to see the children, informally between themselves, via contact centre's, and most recently via solicitors letters trying once again to go the contact centre route.

The ex chose to ignore all these 'offers', and in the last week made an application to the family court for contact, asking for, eventually, overnight stays. As is the way with some ex-partners there are worrying issues surrounding their behaviour, threats that have required police intervention and not least the fact he is a stranger to the children. She would be supporting of supervised contact.

My question, however, is with regards to how CSA does, or could play a role in this.

In the 6 years since my friend made an application to the CSA the ex has not paid a penny. He even went so far as write a letter to the CSA under a pen name saying he had died to avoid paying. He changes his name regularly and phone numbers. His Mother denies to all visitors that he lives there, despite him giving his address on the family court application. This led to a headache of administration issues with her CSA claim, but the end result is still the same: he hasn't paid any of it.

CSA haven't been very helpful, but she wondered is there anyway the CSA payment issue can be brought up in this family court hearing so something more concrete can be put in place than the current state of "He should be paying, but he isn't. When he pays we'll let you know" that it seems to be in with the CSA at the moment.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[Barmaid]

Unfortunately, not. The issues of contact and maintenance are completely separate.

However, he will have to give an address for overnight contact, which your friend can then pass to the CSA.

[JayRed]

Thank you for the swift reply Barmaid.

Is there any other recourse open to my friend to "push the matter forward"? As I said, he changes his name regularly, along with phone numbers and his relatives deny any knowledge of his whereabouts to the CSA.

[Barmaid]

She just needs to keep banging on at the CSA. Unfortunately, my views of them and their competency (having had personal experience) are less than complimentary.

She must write - send it recorded delivery and just keep writing. I'm sorry that is all I can suggest. However, he has now given an address.

Does she have a solicitor? She may qualify under family legal help for assistance, but that is only regards contact issues. She COULD try and come to a private arrangement for him outside of the CSA and do this through negotiations on contact. However, he will most likely default.

[JayRed]

Thanks again Barmaid. Solicitor/barrister all in place for the contact hearing, she just wanted to have this issue resolved at the same time seeing how long it's been going on and his ability to be 'slimy' and 'slip through the net'.

She'll put her complaints in writing to the CSA, like you alluded to, they can be pretty close to useless at times.

Thank you :)

[Ric.ror]

She needs to contact her MP
I don't know if it is still the case but the CSA used to be obliged to respond to a letter from her MP within 10 working days
As the others have said keep banging away at the CSA and inform them too that she is contact her solicitor
One small other thing - encourage her to become computer literate it will help so much in the long run
I sincerley wish her all the luck in the world