One thing I’ve learned from getting divorced is that all of those stories about how incompetent the CSA (child support agency) are, are in fact true. In actual fact, the tales flying around the Internet probably don’t go far enough to say quite how bad the CSA are. Before I offer examples in later posts of how to deal with them and what to expect, the first piece of advice I can give in relation to the CSA is: Don’t get them involved.

You see, if you’re getting divorced and there are children involved you don’t actually have to involved the CSA. They’ll take a hefty percentage of whatever money they steal from the non resident parent (which may or may not be the man) anyway, so it’s better for both the father and the mother if the CSA are not involved at all.

If you can come to an amicable arrangement between you, you’ll both benefit. It will be cheaper and less stressful for the non resident parent AND the resident parent will get more money.

However, if the resident claims benefit then the CSA are automatically notified and come into play. This is where it all falls down. You need to be mindful of this. If you and your ex have come to an agreement on what you should pay for the upkeep of your children it matters not one jot in the eyes of the child support agency. They couldn’t care less. They want their cut.

So in short, for now. Don’t get the CSA involved if you can possibly help it. It’s worse for you both if you do that as they’ll cream off most of the money taken for themselves. If however the resident parent claims benefit, you can’t avoid the CSA getting involved.

Clive Bellmore