CSA calculation is crazy

I have kids 3 nights per week.
Ex wife has them 4 nights per week.
Yet I have to pay her for the 4 nights I don''t have them even though it was her that did the dirty, moved out and took the kids.

Why am I not just paying the difference between the number she has them and the number I have them, IE, one night''s maintenance?

In fact I shouldn''t really be paying her anything since she was the one that ended the marriage.

Welcome to the crazy world of child support.

Don''t think of it as support for children, think of it as a tax on fatherhood and you won''t go far wrong.

Decent fathers will always support their children, but some aspects of the CSA are totally unfair. I am puzzled as to why the incomes of both parents are not taken into account.

The CSA merely move money from one parent to the other on the grounds that children should not be impoverished. That the children could be impoverished when they are residing with their father is of no concern to the CSA.

They are there to do a job and the consequences of their actions are irrelevant to them.

They are a law to themselves, I was told by them that I had to pay 100 pounds a week (including back pay as they kept dragging there feet ! ) from my wages to them, leaving me with only 160 a week to support my family, my step son and my newborn and household costs!!! To this I was told that as I don''t live with my partner, my 2 kids could not be taken into account !!!

Had to say that I would have to leave my job, was told that I''m threatening them , many phone calls later they have now agreed to 80 pounds.

I think it is wrong, as you said it should be 1 nights allowance.
As for you not paying because she walked out on you, is not the kids fault. How hard must it of been for them to lose their daddy. The law should be fair for both parents and not just one. I have high respect for any dad who is there for his kids and pays for them, even if things don''t seem fair sometimes.
Every dad has a right. (well apart from the ones who are a danger to their kids)
The law is not right, but you are doing right by your kids, and thats what counts in the lonf run.

The fact that you could bankrupt yourself whilst trying to do the best for your children as well as pay your own bills is of no consequence to the CSA.

My understanding, although correct me if I''m wrong is a certain percentage of your salary less a reduction depending on the amount of nights they spend with you.

It is hard to comment without knowing yours and your exes earning''s etc.

I would say that on the surface it doesn''t seem fair. Also what has to be taken into account here is do you both provide clothes and shoes for your children, a set(s) at each home, do you both pay for their activities (I don''t know their ages or even if they do any), their sports equipment (if applicable), school trip[s, residentials etc?

Without knowing all the details, yes on the surface it would appear unfair.

Survive