John's story
When father of two John split up from his children's mother, he paid child maintenance through the CSA but found it very inflexible. Some months his ex-partner needed a bit of extra money for their child, but other times she was happy with less. They needed a solution that would take this into account and offer more flexibility. "It put a terrible strain on us" said John. "We argued a lot. It just wasn’t working."
John had heard about parents making friendly arrangements between themselves, and found the number for the Child Maintenance Options helpline on a website. He rang and talked to one of the Options agents in a lot of detail, printed off the family-based arrangement form, and invited his ex-wife to sit down with him over a cup of coffee and work things out. After talking frankly, they decided the best thing for them was for John to pay for things rather than give cash, so he pays the mortgage, looks after food and heating bills and also pays for school trips and cello and dance lessons.
"I was so grateful for the help and information I received" said John. "I feel so much happier now that I get see where the money is going. I hadn't realised that there was an alternative way to contribute but this works so much better. It has also saved me a fortune - I would have had to use a solicitor. Since my ex and I signed the family-based arrangement form, everything has got so much better. Our relationship has improved tenfold, and I even go in now and have a cup of tea rather than waiting in the car for the children. I talk to my ex every day. I'd never have imagined that would be possible a year ago."
