Child Maintenance - What is it supposed to cover?

[croyde]

As per the CSA site I pay my ex wife the amount suggested and then some per month but she is always asking for a bit more, like if new school shoes/uniforms/equipment are needed or for Summer Camp etc

As I have been doing ok work wise up to now I have just paid half of the 'extra' cost no question asked, but things are tight now and even my rent is getting harder to pay so I did question it today when asked for half of £400 needed for clothes/camp/shoes.

She laughed and made a comment about the amount I give her each month barely covered their lunches (A joke or a lie) so I just wondered what is the Maintenance for exactly?

Is it for food and bills only and 'extras' have to be decided on top or are the 'extras' supposed to come out of the original amount. She is totally unable to budget and is always in debt.

Cheers.

[croyde]

Well 3 kids, 7, 10 and 13 and according to the CSA it should be £570 a month as they do stay with me 1 or 2 nights a week.

[croyde]

It's been 5 years and currently pretty amicable so loath to upset the apple cart. She has a boyfriend who's great with the kids and doesn't work which allows both of us to, so pretty handy all round.

Currently have to have words with her as I think she is p!%%!ng current boyfriend off and I could do with her keeping him

I do pop round on the pretense of seeing the kids just about dinner time and get invited in for the meal as well.

[croyde]

Sensible advice mate, cheers.

[croyde]

swerni said:

We are talking about the same person who ran up a £5k+ phone bill while on holiday abroad?

You need to ask where your money goes ?

You a detective

Like I said, her main problem is budgeting

[croyde]

Not unusual for school uniforms especially when the schools insist on certain clothing. Two of mine are at private and my daughter's shirts can only be bought in one shop, I have searched the world for the same pattern to no avail, and they are £35 each. I'll never spend more than £20 on a shirt for myself

I still remember the specialist school uniform shop that I had to go to when I went to secondary state school back in the 70s.

Blazer
Trousers
Shirts
Shoes
Tie
Badge
Football kit
Rugby kit
Football boots and Rugby boots
PE kit
Plimsols

Cost my cash strapped parents a pretty penny even back then.

We have spent around £500 on each kid at the start of secondary school then I go nuts when items get lost, ruined prematurely and have to be replaced.

Have just applied for a replacement zipcard for my son, to replace the replacement he managed to lose in a week. So that's 3 cards at a tenner a go and he hasn't even started term yet, thus has not been on a bus. Hello TFL have £30 for nothing

[croyde]

I'd love to pay just the CSA amount based on my wages. But I can't spite her without affecting the kids.