Child Support and Access question

[Sammiejane]

Hi all,

I have a question relating to recieveing child support and parental access...
i will give a bit of background, i hope i get this right.

A friend discovered she was pg with her beautiful bubba boy after breaking off a non serious relationship. The 'father' (lets call him steve) had moved O/S and was initially was supportive of my friend (lets call her Jane) even though they would not be together...
Once Jane decided that she was going to go through wit the pg, she informed Steve, who then decided that he wanted nothing to do with any of it.

Once Jane had her DS, she wanted to get Steve's name on the birth certificate.... so that her DS had a name in the father spot not a blank space...
To cut a long story short there is now DNA testing as he refuses to sign the certificate (possibly something to do with a reconcilliation between him and his ex wife and kids)

Now after that long winded story, here comes the question...

Jane is being contacted by the CSA and telling her that she should be recieving CS and they wish to collect it for her.

Jane is concerned that of she receives payments and goes down that path, Steve with have a 'right' to access and she will have to grant it. (please bare in mind that there has been no contact since she was about 16wks pg, other than the birth cert stuff.)

I didnt think that this was the case (CS is more abput managing the responsibility and sharing the cost of raising the child), but thought that i would ask those in the know

I hope this all makes sense, hopefully someone can help us out with answering this question

thanks

[Lulu]

No they are two separate things. He has to pay child support no matter what, but if he wants to see the child he will have to take her to court for access. I was worried the ex might try to gain access to DD but I was told at the time (he hadn't seen her for 3 years) to laugh, shut the door in his face and wait for court papers......which never arrived.

It would be a long process (for him) but I'd say if he was getting back with his wife and kids he may be distracted somewhat....NEVER knock back child support no matter what kind of a twat he is. Being on your own every bit helps!

[Sammiejane]

Thanks Lulu...

I have told her that i think that she should take the CS, regardless of whether she needs it or not, it can go in an account for her DS to have later...

[Lulu]

It will be the easiest thing to let the CSA chase it for her, all she has to do is give permission. She will not have to deal with him at all and in any case she can't reject it - its law that the parents support the child!

[~Jo~]

I agree with Lulu. It will be so much easier if CS collect for her. This baby is financially his responsibility, and its hard to claim any sorts of benefits from centrelink without having made adequate attempts at getting CS for the child in question. I doubt very much that any attempts would be made to get in touch with baby just because of payments, and even if he does, there are rules that need to be followed. My eldest dd's bio dad has been paying CS consistently for 4 years now and his contact with the children has not increased at all despite numerous threats that it was his right. The kids have rights too..they arent simply objects to be used for anyone else's gratification.

Jo

[Sammiejane]

This question came about as she went to get him baptised and the priest said that the fathers consent need to be gained... basically she is worried that she is going to continually 'consult' him for and gain his consent for throughout her bubbas life as he is the father and would rather not go down the track of CS if it meant that this was going to be the case.