Child support

[~TT40~]

I've got no experience with this....until now.

DH has 6 kids, to 2 different women. Now only 2 of them are under 18, so firstly, he obviously should only be paying for them

We just got a letter from the agency saying he owes a very large sum, so they are adding to extra to his deductions. The amount he is normally getting deducted though is s*loads alone. not even couting the extra they have added cause he owes money

Like no wonder he isn't getting any money for himself!! I really think its wrong, if it's not wrong it should be..

So does anyone know the going rates? like how do they calculate what he pays, does the childs age depend? or is just a flat rate? or does anyone know where i can find out the information?

because its nice to know where this money is going, and not just into a black hole (well we know it is...into his ex wifes pokie habit..)

thanks in advance!!!

[Visitor7]

If you have a look at the Child Support website (the parents section) it has some detailed info on how they do their calculations. It's all indvidually based, so best to look there.
Parent's Guide to Child Support - Child Support Agency (CSA)
Hope that helps a little

[Inanna]

You can go to the CSA website to calculate payments. if he has a debt even if the debt is for children that are now over 18 he will have to pay that debt.
If he wasn't paying what was deemed as his payable amount that would mean that his ex partner wasn't receiving the correct amount deemed the minimum to maintain the children of the relationship. So that is still owed.

[Mildez]

Yes agree with the other girls. If its money that wasn't paid in the past it turns into debt he will have to pay now so it means although he is still supporting other children (younger) then any outstanding money is added to start paying of the debt from the past. It use to be 18% of the wage I think years ago (and a little bit more per child) so it depends on his income as to how much he pays and of course any outstanding money that hasn't been paid in the past and I guess if you times it by 6children then it would be a very large portion of his income that would be paid out in child support. If the money hasn't been paid at some stage it does accumulate quickly especially if there was several years of not paying in the past.

I am going through a similar thing at the moment but am on the other end (the parent that has not received the support) from my ex it now has turned into a very large sum of money (from 8yrs of not paying) there are ways to reduce what he owes from now on (although not from what is owed in the past) examples include having the children for X amount of days a month, private agreement with the other parent etc. Perhaps encourage him to call CS and see ways in which he can reduce his payments.

[~TT40~]

Thanks for the replies..
Yea i sort of get the debt bit...mainly because we are pretty sure his boss he has had over the last 10years (not anymore) wasn't making the payments he was meant to out of DH wage, and yes, 6 kids is a lot...
but just the amount they expect him to pay for the current payments for 2 kids...
But i am checking out the website now, Thanks!!!!

[Double Re-Cracker]

if they are studing it is older than 18, kids cost 4ever!

[flyingk8]

That is so ridiculous that his ex didn't say anything sooner! Then your poor DH wouldn't be in this predicament!!

[BlackCat]

if they are studing it is older than 18, kids cost 4ever!

This is correct from my understanding, if the children are still classed as dependant via study then he may still have to support them, so check that out.

That is so ridiculous that his ex didn't say anything sooner! Then your poor DH wouldn't be in this predicament!!

Why is it up to the ex to say something? Isnt that the point of the CSA in the first place, so that the ex doesnt have to continually chase him or them to get the money? Yes it sucks that he is in this predicement now, but it also sucks to be on the other end where you have to chase the money and then in some cases (not saying this is the case in your situation Teirae) get the backlash from the other party for chasing that in which the children are entitled to? kwim? And who is to say that she didnt chase them but was told nothing could be done because he is making regular payments and from what Teirae has said has already had his payments automatically deducted from his wage...

[widdly]

when men create babies, they have a responsibility to provide for and care for those babies for the rest of their lives. He would only have to pay an amount in relation to his income, if he earns bugger all then he wont have to pay much but if he earns a lot then he will have to pay alot.

Hope you can find out the info you are seeking. Def check out CHild Support website, you should find all your answers there

[~TT40~]

thanks for the replies.

its not as simple as 'when men create babies'...there are 2 people involved, and both have responsibility re: the babies.

I didn't know about the still studing bit, thats intereesting. I don't think any of the older ones are still, I think its just the younger two in highschool.

DH was fully under the impression he was making the correct payments etc. He never heard from the agency for 10 years. He's boss said, im taking the payments out of your pay like i'm meant to etc... but obviously wasn't and when you know this guy...he is dodgy, and had screwed DH over in other ways re: rate of pay, and holidays etc.. it wasn't untill the last year employed by him he actually paid attention and realised.

then he quit, got a new job... and obviously this employer gave his details to the agency, and then DH got the nasty letter saying he owes all this stuff.

It's easy to say bloody men not doing what they should re: children etc. but DH works his arse off! does over 50 hours a week for minimal wage. sure he doesnt see his children as much as he should, but he still does the right thing by them.

[Mildez]

Teirae I am sorry to hear you and your DH are going through this and the impact it must be having on your finances. I didn't realise it was up to the boss to collect out of the wages I thought it was CS.
The experience I have had with CS is they are pretty useless and I do believe unless a parent is chasing the money then they do just leave it and let it build up to a sum of money that is all most impossible to get on top of. I am going through something similar with my ex and having no support from CS. CS hasn't done me or him any favours.