26 Feb 2015

A question about : Child Maintenance / Vouchers

Hi,

I'm trying to come to an agreement with regards what I need to pay my soon to be ex wife, regards maintenance for our 3yr old boy.

He goes to nursery 5 days a week (9am - Midday). My mum has him 2 afternoons a week after nursery for the day, and he goes to childcare the remaining 3 afternoons.

Currently, my wife and I pay the maximum in childcare vouchers (Ј243).

We've arranged that i'll have my boy sleeping at mine, every other weekend, from Friday night until Monday night, plus 1 night during the week.

I've used the CSA site, and if my calculations are correct (based on me bringing home Ј2100 a month after tax), that I only have to pay her a touch under Ј200 a month based on me having my boy as often as I do. Is this correct?

I've also been advised that any maintenance that I'd need to give my wife, no longer includes childcare vouchers. So I'd only have to give her Ј200 cash in total and that's it for her to do with as she wishes. Does this sound right?

She's under the impression that i'm going to continue paying Ј243 in childcare, plus about Ј200-Ј300 in maintenance.... that being the case, I wouldn't be able to afford to rent a place of my own with that much expense (I currently reside at my parents since the split).

I've tried googling this, but can't see anything clear cut with regards to maintenance including/excluding vouchers.... help!

Best answers:

  • The only obligation you have, is to pay the calculated CSA amount. Anything over and above that is completely voluntary and a moral/conscious decision for you to make.
    Unfortunately when there is a lot of shared care involved, sometimes the PWC can't see that you need to run a similar sized house in order to have a child and can still expect the same amount of support when only one household was run between the two of you. And you the costs for each of you have effectively doubled where running a home is concerned.
    I hope it goes well and you can sort it amicably.
  • P.s. There is a sub forum under "benefits" dedicated to CSA.
  • Your ex-wife may be able to claim WTC now which would cover some of the child care costs.
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