[paula1]

In the last 2 years I've unfortunately had to make many phone calls to the child support agency (csa).

I have an ex husband who is paying $10 per week in total in child support for our 2 boys. He'd pay 20 cents if that was all that csa required him to pay.
He works full time and has just recently made a new income estimate of $20,000

[paula1]

Oops I accidentally posted before I finished...

I'll continue in a minute!

[erindiv]

I know you're not finished but I have a little bit I can say based on what you've posted.

The CSA are bound by all sorts of rules and regulations, and if a man tries hard enough he can avoid paying. Easily. There has been a thread on here reccently about it.

Personally, I've had no problems, but from what I've read on here I'm definitely in the minority.

[swimmingalong]

you can protest all you like over the phone, it wont get you anywhere... you need to follow thru with paperwork, ie a coa reason *

[mpjp]

I know you're not finished but I have a little bit I can say based on what you've posted.

The CSA are bound by all sorts of rules and regulations, and if a man tries hard enough he can avoid paying. Easily. There has been a thread on here reccently about it.

Personally, I've had no problems, but from what I've read on here I'm definitely in the minority.

Actually its not just men!!!

I pay CS for my ex (who has 35% care). He does all manner of things to get CS from me. Hides income - he has his own business so this is super easy, and that doesnt include all the legitimate tax breaks that small business owners get. It makes it very easy to have a low taxable income.

I find it bizarre that CSA don't care about some basics - if a person is spending WAAAAY more than they are reporting that they are earning then wouldn't this be cause to look a little more closely? My ex reports a weekly income of a certain amount but his basic costs (rent, mortgage on IP's etc etc ) are about 4 times that amount!

I also find it BIZARRE that he can get an almost 7 figure inheritance (so is way wealthier than I) but this mean nothing.


And lastly I find it bizarre that he can not do tax returns for YEARS and YEARS and I have to keep paying the same set amount - but if, when he does lodge his tax returns he has a lower income than the year he lodged the application - then I will be massively (like 6-7 years worth) in arrears!!

I hate the system!!

[paula1]

Ok, so he has estimated his income to be $20,000 less per year, that's why I now receive $10 per week for two kids.
It frustrates me that this is acceptable, I understand that this may be a legitimate reason for "some" people but it's not for many.

I find it extremely stressful having to call csa, usually while I'm at work to question letters etc.
As my ex husband's lifestyle doesn't reflect his new lesser income, I've put in for a review and change of assessment.

It just seems like a waste of time, resources and such a dysfunctional system. This could have been nipped in the bud when he rang to make the initial new income estimate. I don't believe that such a minimum should be allowed.
None of his other bills reduce in amount because he has by choice taken a huge pay cut. His foxtel, gas, rent etc. don't change but his child support goes to $10!!

I feel so annoyed as I'm just powerless and having to deal with such a flawed and ridiculous system drives me insane!

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

This post has been edited by paula1: 30/01/2013, 04:44 PM

[me-and-my-girls]

Dysfunctional doesn't even begin to describe it. OP I would be grateful to get $10 a week for my two. Ex doesn't care how much his assessment is, he doesn't pay anyway.

To be fair, the vast majority of people I have dealt with at the CSA have been wonderful and as helpful as they can be. Even they have been horrified about the dodginess and arrogance of my ex. It's the laws that need to be changed. CSA cant do anything if their hands are tied with riduculous legislation that allows these men to get away with it. Default them on their credit rating for not paying, send them to jail for not paying, send the sheriffs to their front door for not paying.......I can come up with many others. Shame the stupid govt can't.

[paula1]

I've just found it really draining as its an ongoing battle.

I don't expect to be paid massive amounts of money BUT $10 is an insult.

It would make it so much easier if he was decent enough to at least buy a pair of school shoes or a uniform, pay for swimming lessons or even a haircut!

[~~HappyMummy~~]

He must submit tax returns with a similar figure to $20000. Or else he would have to pay you the extra after his tax has been processed if he really earned more than his estimate.

It would be automatically arranged after his tax return.

Maybe he does earn $20k?

[erindiv]

I've just found it really draining as its an ongoing battle.

I don't expect to be paid massive amounts of money BUT $10 is an insult.

It would make it so much easier if he was decent enough to at least buy a pair of school shoes or a uniform, pay for swimming lessons or even a haircut!

It is an insult. I'm sorry that you (and so many others) are having to deal with this kind of crap.

As PP have said, it's the legislation that needs changing.