CSA

[hotfemail]

My friends wife left him 2 years ago but he has never asked for maintenance for their daughter who was 16 at the time. He has stayed in their house and carried on with the mortgage himself.. He is self employed. His dtr has now left school and goes to college 4 days a week ( she is 18 in march next year ). He is asking for a divorce now and is trying to sort out a financial settlement - would he be able to claim CSA for the past 2 years and until she is 19 as his ex works full time (she lives alone).

[STIDW]

Child maintenance cannot be backdated but he could apply to the CSA and payments would start from the time the CSA contacts the non resident parent. As long as he is in receipt of Child Benefit he is entitled to claim CM through the CSA. Alternatively if the parents can agree CM can be included in the consent order settling the finances.