Advice needed on CSA (Child Support Agency)

[Kent]

Hi All,

I need some advice with regard to the CSA please. I seem to be going round in circles trying to find out the answer to my question.

My ex currently reluctantly pays maintenance for my 13 yr old son through the CSA here in the UK.

We have recently told him that we are emigrating. He has given his consent which was a miracle I thought I was going to have a battle with that one.

Now my ex has just brought up the subject of maintenance payments, why should he pay when he won't ever see him (he rarely sees him now and we live locally to him). He says if we are "RICH" enough to move to Australia then we are "RICH" enough to bring him up! I can't quite believe his attitude, but I shouldn't really be surprised as he has tried everything over the past six years to get out of paying.

Anyway, my question is, where do I stand? I know Australia have a Child Support Agency but does anybody know how effective it is? Has anybody been in my situation? How quickly does it all work (if at all)?

Sorry for the long question.

Thanks

Julia & Kent

[madpomcow]

Hi Julia,

I came here to london from Australia and when I tried to have CSA here they told me that I would have to sort it out with CSA in Australia. I think you would be wasting your time with the Australian CSA as the offices are not linked in any way. It might be better just to leave it how it is or you might have your ex trying to stop you taking your child out of the Country.Only my oppion
Paula

[hays]

Hi,

I want to take the kids out of the country and i can only assume that my ex husband wont be at all happy about it!!
One of the many suggestions I will throw at him to hopefully make it easier, and not have to fight him through the courts, is that he doesnt pay any more maintenance. whether this works or not is another matter!

Hays

[The "Biscuits"]

I have paid CSA for 14 years now! My children are all grown up ,married and kids of their own. Due to Army service and the Army refusing to pay the full amount to CSA I acrued arrears. I know that unless you are in Europe or in the Armed Forces the CSA cannot get the money off you. Nice for me but not for those who really need it to survive.

[steve110]

There are no links between the aus and british support agencies.
Don"t know about taking the kids to to oz and how it affects payments, but wifeys ex has counter claimed against her, we now have to pay him £20 a month ........and they can use any tax credits we get towards our income ....... if we get to oz,then it becomes void,and they cannot makes us pay. The only way they can get money is if my wife gets a job for a uk company ........

[jonseywife]

Hi Julia
I know for a fact that if the father moves out of the country... then he is classed as "out of the UK's CSA jurisdiction" and they can't pursue him!! I dont know if it works the other way though............... ring the CSA helpline asap, hopefully they will let you know.
Good luck with it anyway............. but why do so many men, so quickly want to wriggle out of their responsabilities is beyond me!!!!!!!! T%**ers !!!!!!!

[steve110]

its not just blokes tho is it? just that it is the blokes that get the bad press .....

[jonseywife]

Yeah steve... I get the point, ok women do it too! SL*GS!!!!!! (But admittedly It is mostly the men!!!!)

My OH's so called Mum run off with another man, when he was only 7 and he has'nt seen her since.!!!!!!! Not even a card.......Heartless cow!!!

[ali]

I don't think that the Australian CSA can persue someone who doesn't live in australia. What your ex can do is save these payments and then pay for his childs airfare to visit him in the UK.

I agree Steve, it annoys me that men always get the bad press (and I'm a woman), I've met a few people who I've thought the kids should have been with dad and not mum.

Ali

[T in Brisvegas]

If you go on to the CSA Australia website and hit the International link it gives a bit of info. My ex is in the UK and hasn't paid but the international office ( in Hobart ) can give advise