I divorced seven years ago and we reached an agreement on payments to my ex-wife for the upkeep of the children. Now I have remarried she has contacted the CSA for an increase because my wife is earning. She is also trying to get payments backdated to 2008, even though I have been paying her in cash all these years.
Your present wife’s income will not be taken into account and the CSA (or what is now the Child Maintenance Service) can’t entertain backdated claims. If your ex-wife makes an application to the CMS you will be encouraged to settle the matter between you, but if you can’t then they will direct you to pay child maintenance on a formula which is based on your gross income. I suggest you make future payments by cheque or standing order, or insist on a receipt for cash.