Maintenance payments

[happyred]

I have a 4 year old son with a previous partner. We split before he was born. For the 1st couple of years he made fairly regular payments (although i had to constantly nag for them). Now he has moved in with his partner and her 1 year old son and the maintenance has slowly fizzled out. He has not paid any maintenance for him for well over a year now. I have never stopped him from having contact with my son, although i would if it was up to me! What are the legal responsibilites for him to pay? And what can i do get him to?

[Pippa68]

He has a responsibility to pay maintenance to your child. He isn't legally responsible for his girlfriends child.

Has he still having regular contact with your son, and have you spoken to him about the maintenance? whatever you do don't stop the contact ~ if it all goes to court you won't be looked upon favourably if you stop contact...and I have to say a big 'good for you' for keeping this going ~ so many use their children as pawns in the maintenance game and it isn't right.

If you are in contact with your ex and haven't discussed it with him, do so now. Tell him you and your child need financial assistance, and regularly at that. If he isn't interested, then a court order is probably the best way forward. You can apply to the family courts for maintenance (you can work out a figure and it can be discussed).

The only other option is the CSA ~ I don't want to recommend them as I have had nothing but trouble from them!

The best way is to do it privately, but obviously this hasn't worked out. It may make your relationship with your ex worse, however rest assured you are doing the right thing by your child which is all you need to be concerned about.

[Beanmistriss]

What Pippa said! Just wanted to add well done for not getting your son involved by denying contact and to wish you good luck x

[happyred]

Many thanks for your reply, Pippa.
Yes he has "regular contact" with his son, but by that i mean when it suits him! But as much as i would love to be rid of him in ours lives, it isn't my decision to make. My son will realise for himself in good time what a joke for a father he is!

Each time i raise the issue of maintenance, there's always an excuse. I have contacted the CSA (last august), but you're dead right, they are an absolute waste of time!

I will look further into applying for a court order. I didn't realise this was an option. So thank you again! x

[Pippa68]

You're welcome :o)

Please let us know how you get on!

xx