Who wants to be dictated to by the State on how you support your children — what, how and when?

Whilst many views float around arguing for and against child support, most decent fathers and parents would argue the issue is not whether or not they wish to support their children, but rather the often unfair conditions imposed upon them.

Simply, it's an attack on the nature of a father's freedom and how he best wishes to raise and support his children in the many different ways a responsible father can, which are often more effective and benefical to a child than any 'slap-bang' instrument of government and statism can ever be.

For a father going through separation/divorce, experiencing the loss of family and children, horrendous false allegations, litigation, uncertainty of where your children are and how they are doing, often causes ill health, work and life instability in so many ways. Also, the effects from not having a fully functioning and emotionally present Dad in a child's life can be equally, if not more devestating as their development can be hindered considerably.

Then if that isn't bad enough, along comes an assessment from the Child Support Agency (CSA) for an outlandish sum of money based on your capacity to work at the highest rate when you were fit and able and on fire, which is possibly a stark contrast to where your financial position is today, or will be in the future if you are unable to recover from the upheaval of a traumatic separation that's often compared to a fate worse than death.

From 2006 CSA powers in Australia have increased to not only garnish your wages, but directly withdraw from bank accounts any amount they deem appropriate, siezing assets of any sort to pay the often highly questionable and unjust debts. As Fathers are assaulted with such draconian measures, one can only feel a sense of dictatorship giving rise to a totalitarian society — not a free Australia — causing fathers to unite and fight for their rights and freedom.

As there are many issues surrounding child support and the effects upon fathers, children and families,

Share your opinion and experiences about the pros and cons of child support,
lifting the veil on a most horrid part of family breakup!

<Prev 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Next>359 - 310 Comments +Add Yours Over 989,657 viewsSearch CSA Forum
 
By: Anthony from Vic, Aust on January 11, 2015 @ 8:50 pm
When things don't make sense I tend to believe that it's all lies, bloody lies.
Question is as any liar can point out there must be a hidden agenda.
I'm not saying that the people that work there are liars.
What I am saying is that they are much in the dark as we are.
There must be a handful or so people that really know what's going on over there and what the main purpose of the agency really is.
For some reason I believe there to be a deep moral issue at hand.
How this authority imposes this is always a different story.
Why can't any two stories be the same baffles me.

Sometimes I like to compare CSA to Centrelink.
Both being government agencies ect ect.
Centre link makes sense because any 2 stories are the same.
Eg. Someone on unemployment will receive the same as another on unemployment. Makes sense...right.
Did it matter if u earn $100k before becoming unemployed, so therefore must get more welfare to support ur life style. No.

In my eyes...an adult is an adult, as a child is a child.
But there a children out there that receive the min in support and some a greater amount.
Sorry, going back to the hidden agenda...
Is the government empowering the wives of high wage earners to leave the family and take the children.
In my opinion, yes, because the government is running a business.


 
By: Darren from South Australia, Australia on January 11, 2015 @ 6:28 pm
Well, disbelief doesn't do justice to how I feel after the CSA's latest correspondence.. I have fully supported my two children after their mother moved them in with her boyfriend whilst I was overseas. Not to mention a large cash lump sum, car etc. that she helped herself to. I am heading back to the UK after almost 6 years of trying to rebuild here in oz.. To be threatened by the csa for daring to move overseas and work and quoting a story of a guy who moved to the US and ended up inside for not paying child support has done it for me. Unprofessional, draconian, damaging and immoral. I can only hope my kids will see sense somehow with the passing of time. The wreckless damage they impose on families is a disgrace.
 
By: ky from nsw, australia on January 8, 2015 @ 5:47 pm
Hi everyone affected by CSA. I am becoming so cranky every time I hear how the poor parent who is working so hard to make ends meet has to pay out so much to the other parent who is either not working or because they earn less gets an excessive amount of money. The errors and unfair nature of this system were what I thought to be few, until I was forced to learn the system by my ex husband who threw me out and took my children. I think there is enough of us out there to start looking into putting pressure on our govt representatives, after all we are tax payers and voters and we need to be heard, this system is wrong, its not about the kids at all, its about making sure the worker who deserves to earn their dollar at the end of the week pays for the lesser to live it up. In my case I earn more gross, but after paying him he earns almost double what I do, my question is why is there not a maximum cap on what it costs to raise an average child. Why should I pay more then is necessary simply because I earn more, if I earn it I should benefit from this not my ex. I would always make sure my kids have everything they need anyway, and as it stands I still buy them clothes, shoes, school supplies etc because he puts it off until they have absolutely nothing. I don't know how to go about flagging our govt representatives about this but if anyone does and would like to help Id gladly start the ball rolling!
 
By: Erin Hayward from QLD, Australia on January 8, 2015 @ 4:39 pm
Jodie we are also qld and my husband was told the same thing but he was told $17wk (I think as we have no money coming in as just made redundant) but CSA asked if I worked as if I did they would increase this payment. WTF her partners income has never been taken into account as we all know it is not aloud!!
Michelle unfortunately even when u give birth it wil be around $10 maybe $15 aloud for ur new Bourne!! It's shit I have been through it but ur husband can claim under hardship just need to ask for the forms from CSA.
 
By: Michelle from NT, Australia on January 8, 2015 @ 3:48 pm
My partner has a 11 year old daughter which he does not get to see. He is happy to pay CS but after numerous phone calls they have not been calculating it at the correct rate. They are now asking for $700 out of $1000 per week wage. This does not even leave enough to cover our rent. We are also expecting our first baby (next week!!) and we have been told this is not taken into account until baby is born. I am also not working now because I am about to pop & we were told to tell CSA that he also has a dependent partner but apparently this does not come into account either? Centre link will not pay me anything because of what he earns?? So we are left to survive on $300 a week while his ex is receiving $700 a week?? She also has not done her tax for the past 2 years which we were told by the CSA. How is this fair or legal? He has rang them so many times to change his details, supplied payslips, tax summaries, they have said they will send out paper work but they haven't, they even froze his account at one stage!!! What do we do? We are basically been forced to live on the streets while his ex lives comfortably?
 
By: robin from msw, australia on January 8, 2015 @ 12:42 pm
Hijodi-gayle
No csa can not ask you or make you pay anything for your hubbys bill
As its his bill and his kids NOT your bill or kids they have no right to ask you to pay it. If they try to make you pay just tell them you need to speak to your lawyer first and that will shut them up
hope this helps
 
By: jodi-gayle barnes from qld, Australia on January 8, 2015 @ 1:41 am
My husband and I got married three yrs ago, he had a debt that we paid a heap off.. he hasnt worked in three yrs and we have had several convos with csa.. his payments were $17 a fortnight and they asked for a good will payment. I gave him $200 and he payed it now we have been sent a bill $7500 and they told me because im the only wage earner that I have to pay it or they will take it out of my wages or tax or assests, how ever they zee fit... we have separate bank accounts and tax assessments.. without giving out to much info can someone tell me are they allowed to take my wages, tax, etc to pay his debt...
1
By: Marko from NSW, Australia on January 6, 2015 @ 2:32 pm
Child support is a good idea but executed the wrong way. CSA say it is for the benefit of the child however, its not. If it were at all for the benefit of the child, they should have first had measures in place to at least mediate the differences between the separating parents to simply show that child support payments through CSA is not the best option. Just like going to court should not be a preferred option until other means of resolving or mediating the issues have failed. They should have been behind dispute mediation organisations and make sure both parents attend sessions to leave their problems out of the door for the benefit of the child and help them come to a personal arrangement on finances amicably. Should that fails, then another step should have been in place to verify that indeed there is indeed no any other option. Otherwise as it is today, its bullish, unfair and inhumane way of handling things especially for men with legit reasons but experiencing abuse of law by opportunistic women hiding behind a full protection canvass. You think you are solving one problem on one hand by milking finances out of separating men but creating another on the other hand and that problem is seen as okay???.. In my situation for example, I am left with the courts as an option. I cannot see my child. I do not know where he is. People who mutually know both of us cannot even tell me where he is because they just do not want to get involved even if its for mediation purposes. She does not pick up my calls or once she knows its me, she hangs up. For someone who is a good father. has done nothing wrong apart from realising that the woman was not the best for his life, its unfair to use the courts for that will even put more shackles around one's own time and freedom in one hand and while handing over visitation rights in the other.. I have attempted a mediation and she never showed up. As soon as I started paying child support through CSA, her income that financial year dramatically reduced to 0 for the next 2 tax assessments. The courts are not an option. If CSA think they can sort things out with money, well how about do it in a better, resourceful, constructive humane way instead of simply bull dozing someone's life when they are not interested in the real affairs on the ground???
 
By: robin from nsw, australia on January 6, 2015 @ 3:09 pm
Graig from NSW
Csa are wrong it states in their own hand book once a child is earning their own way ( start paying tax and earning a living for them selves ) whatever you no longer have to support them after they turn 18 but if you owe any back payments you will still have to pay it( but the mother can still clain if the kids are at full time study and only full time study till they turn 26 )
 
350. By: Erin from Qld, Australia on January 6, 2015 @ 8:11 am
Hi Craig yes CSA told my hubby the same thing when his daughter turns 18yr we stop paying unless the mother calls and asks for a new assessment on the grounds of her still being in school. It is a bloody joke!!! We are in Queensland hope u find away around it and if u do please share
 
By: craig from nsw, aust on January 6, 2015 @ 7:08 am
Hi looking for some information on my csa case.I have just come to what I thought was the end off my case Kids turned 18 twins but still kept in school to finnish year last halve of year 12.Was told by csa case officers that it didnt matter if they hadnt finnished school once they turned 18 case ends.the day before they turn 18 i get a letter from csa say that ex has requested the case stays open and I have to pay another yearcos they are still at school.They are working part time to help pays for themselfs.CSA have come up with some legistration saying this and that gave me 2 days to respond my objection with xmas on the doorstep and then sent back a assessment notice for fees to pays for next year.I dont believe this is true.CSA hide behind the situations they are untouchable being a government department.I have been through what most of the others are writing about family law courts frozen accounts etc, even cas being wrong in cases.
I feel for all of you as i know how hard it gets with little or no help.
 
By: Ky from Nsw, Australia on January 1, 2015 @ 5:05 pm
Hi roger,
Get legal advice ASAP. I am a mum and my ex took my kids I am going to court to get them back and the advice I've had is that if one parent deliberately stops the kids from seeing the other it doesn't go down well in the courts. Your kids have a right to know both their parents. With child support I feel your pain I was left with nothing but the shirt on my back and apparently it costs in excess of $400 per week to raise my kids, take it that this is my half to raise them if my ex also pays his half this equates to $800 per week to raise 3 kids. It's wrong, I am not paying half their upbringing cost but all of them while he enjoys life. Don't get me wrong I will always support my kids financially but it's wrong that I have to support my ex lifestyle as well.
I think you should ask about claiming hardship as you can't be expected to pay more than you earn. You can also appeal the assessment and I would ask about time frames as well I think there is a timeframe on how far back they can make a new assessment from along with your ex has to appeal an assessment within a certain timeframe I think it's 3 weeks from the notification date, which means how can your arrears be back dated so far. Ask questions! And look up the 10 rules about income assessment. If you google help/advice about your rights with cs there are organisations that know the ins and outs particularly for dads as it's more often men who cop this unfair system.
 
By: roger kelly from qld, australia on January 1, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
my ex said she was going on a holiday at xmas in 2006 asked me if i wanted to go to townsville with her and the kids told her i had to work so couldnt go so she took off on holiday couple a weeks later told me on the ph wasnt coming back i found out she was with another bloke and have been paying child support since havnt seen my kids heard from them since the other day got letter off child support saying they had a review and now instead of paying $120 a week i owe them another $15000 and have to pay $695 a week wtf they are deadset criminal and you wonder why blokes are necking themselves right accross the country a kid should be supported by the mother and the father not just the one who earns the most i dont care what kid it is it should not be anymore than $100 a kid at the most, its not up to the father to pay the mothers rent,electricity and lifestyle else if she cant afford that well hand custody to the father let her pay for stuff to this is extortion..at the highest level funniest thing is i dont even clear $695.. aweek on a 40 hour normal week i have had to do 20 hours overtime a week to get ahead and now they want that tooo..wtf extortion extortion extortion and i havnt seen my kids or heard from them for eight years its criminal she stole my f###ng kids

 
By: John from NT, Australia on December 22, 2014 @ 10:43 am
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!

It's great to see the biggest Cwth dept spending taxpayers money to preotect their butt!

Full Article here: http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/department-of-human-services-spends-500000-on-legal-fees-fighting-6000-child-support-dispute-20141221-12agd6.html

Extract follows:

....Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says the case is a "scandalous waste of taxpayers' money … to protect the butt of the department".

Now the department, which runs the Child Support Agency and Centrelink, has hired more high-end lawyers to try to block the release of information on its own conduct in the matter, exposing taxpayers to up to a million dollars in legal and other costs.

Child Support Agency bosses have spent the money despite knowing, since August 2011, that their public servants broke the law in the man's case and were on shaky legal ground from the beginning of the dispute.

DHS has been ordered by the government's information watchdog to hand over a briefing it prepared for its minister, along with other documents, but the department has hired top-end lawyers Clayton Utz to fight the decision of the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

Do you know more? Send your confidential tips to ps@canberratimes.com.au................

So there you go pick your fights wisely. Or leave the country as I am doing.

Cheers

John




 
By: John from NT, Australia on December 19, 2014 @ 12:40 pm
Proletariats

Ha here is the reason IMO that most of you including myself have wasted so much time getting anything usefull out of the Dept of Inhuman Services.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/department-of-human-services-has-crazy-culture-of-commandandcontrol-says-labor-20141218-129ued.html

here is a brief extract from same article:
...In his report, Information Commissioner John McMillan revealed an organisation that preferred legalese to plain English and had increasingly
lost sight of its duty to share information. The report exposed a number of stock techniques that DHS bureaucrats used to deny people their legal
right to information held about them.

Do you know more? Send your confidential tips to ps@canberratimes.com.au

Professor McMillan recommended the department take its FOI process out of the hands of lawyers and that it should engage more with applicants
and try to understand what they were seeking from the freedom of information process......

I was tempted to waste a few 10's of hours getting a FOI request processed but in hindsight glad I didn't bother.

Cretins the lot of them!

Merry Christmas and Happy new year - I hope yuo can see your kids as I am NOT.




 
By: dave from South australia , australia on December 15, 2014 @ 1:16 pm
the Australian child support agency is the most bigoted, sexist corrupt departments with in government.
I have 3 children ..2 living with me full time and one with my Ex (who refuses me a relationship with this child).
I work and my ex works cash in hand while claiming single parenting benefit.
They look at my ex for child support for my residential children and decide "she is not in a position to pay me. they then look at my income and decided I'm in a position to pay her.
There is no allowance in there calculation to cover any cost of raising my residential children.
my advise to all would be to report every decision they make to an appeal and formally complain to the government minister about this department.
they need to be accountable for there actions and decisions
 
By: robin from nsw, australia on December 9, 2014 @ 12:27 pm
Elsa from WA
Your husband needs to have the kids a 110+ nights a yr this meaning friday - Sunday every second weekend as well as in 1 week in all school holidays plus 2 weeks at christmas to have his payments droped down ( day only time dont count as a night sleep over )
The Xs new partner dont come into play as csa dont use his income into it and sorry to say but your baby only accounts and adds up to 1% care on your husbands wage
 
By: Elsa from WA, Australia on December 5, 2014 @ 1:57 pm
My husband and his ex are struggling with their children care issues. Due to the unfair child support formula, calculated based on their salary, my husband's salary is higher then his ex a lot, so he has to pay a lot to his ex (actually most cases men earn more than women) , because she is the main carer, my husband cares 14%/month for his kids.

The problem is, his ex is with her partner who has high salary, her salary doesn't reflect her capability of paying child support, plus over 2 years her salary doesn't increase at all, so this is assets rich but salary poor case. She can also quit her job to get even more child support from my husband. However, my husband is the only one to support me and my 7 months old baby (I'm not working for over a year). His salary pays for child support first, then bills, loan and house...the rest is for his new family, we have been suffering from the serious financial issue.

We appealed 2 times to the CSA, but they don't want to do anything, they said big house or other luxuries can be on loan or mortgage, how come this explanation is unfair, they didn't even investigate. I feel so hopeless and I've been so depressed, my child doesn't deserve to be second class child.

Then my husband wants to take kids back as equal care with their mum, but she doesn't agree with that because she is taking benefit from CSA, WTF! We think we may apply court case, but it takes ages, our financial problem has to be solved soon. I don't mind my husband pay for his kids because this is his responsibility but I'm not happy with kids mother doing nothing, doesn't even need to spend a cent on child support but save all her salary and enjoy her life very well with high salary partner. (She still want to get as much as she can from my husband) ! what a greedy bitch!

I don't know what to do now!
 
By: Elsa from WA, Australia on December 5, 2014 @ 1:57 pm
My husband and his ex are struggling with their children care issues. Due to the unfair child support formula, calculated based on their salary, my husband's salary is higher then his ex a lot, so he has to pay a lot to his ex (actually most cases men earn more than women) , because she is the main carer, my husband cares 14%/month for his kids.

The problem is, his ex is with her partner who has high salary, her salary doesn't reflect her capability of paying child support, plus over 2 years her salary doesn't increase at all, so this is assets rich but salary poor case. She can also quit her job to get even more child support from my husband. However, my husband is the only one to support me and my 7 months old baby (I'm not working for over a year). His salary pays for child support first, then bills, loan and house...the rest is for his new family, we have been suffering from the serious financial issue.

We appealed 2 times to the CSA, but they don't want to do anything, they said big house or other luxuries can be on loan or mortgage, how come this explanation is unfair, they didn't even investigate. I feel so hopeless and I've been so depressed, my child doesn't deserve to be second class child.

Then my husband wants to take kids back as equal care with their mum, but she doesn't agree with that because she is taking benefit from CSA, WTF! We think we may apply court case, but it takes ages, our financial problem has to be solved soon. I don't mind my husband pay for his kids because this is his responsibility but I'm not happy with kids mother doing nothing, doesn't even need to spend a cent on child support but save all her salary and enjoy her life very well with high salary partner. (She still want to get as much as she can from my husband) ! what a greedy bitch!

I don't know what to do now!
 
340. By: Brock from Vic, Australia on December 2, 2014 @ 8:44 pm
Why do our politicians take so long to understand the policies they have introduced to look after our children, don't look after the children at all. I'm happy to pay money towards my children, but it was two parents that created these lives, and yet one can buy new cars and holiday while not working, and the other parent watches the cash fly out the door and the kids go without.
I once thought our country was based on equality, and a fair go for all. Not when you deal the family law courts or CSA.
Give the carer a card to tic items up on and see where the money is really going.
I bet the politicians are just as gutless as the snipper working at CSA.
Things need to change.
Depression, drug use, suicide, assault and even murder can all be linked to the discraceful pressure CSA put on our fellow Australian people, man and woman.
Sad state of affairs some of us have to deal with.
 
By: Jay jay from Vic, Australia on December 1, 2014 @ 4:27 pm
Is this a load of B.S????
I am in the arrears of $1400. I earn only $51k and they currently take out $76 pw prior to court case. Now the will start taking out an additional $58 because I am in the arrears, how can they do this as my wife does not work and we have a 5 yr old child together. Can someone urgently help with some info please!!!!!!!
So I can't feed my family cause the so called other child that I have not seen since after his birth for 11 years is more important then my current family??.?.?.??.?.?

This isn't right. Can I get some advice please??

First I was told it wasn't mine 11 years ago and I got kicked out of where I was living with her, now she's filed for child support etc. paternity test is done and all and I am the father but it's total B.S

 
By: Jane from Queensland, Australia on November 27, 2014 @ 7:49 pm
well done TezPerth, as you said a win is a win
 
By: TezPerth from WA, Australia on November 27, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
Haha had a minor win, after CSA raped my bank account, I rang and tore shreds off them. They have an agreement with me to garnish pay, I went to have an account unfrozen as mentioned a few posts ago, and they unfroze it and took all my money. While tearing shreds I told them that money was my after tax/after child support pay, you parasites are double dipping, give me my money back or I'm coming in there. At this point I got the "we take threats seriously and will report to police", I advised if I have a problem with a bank, I wont ring up i'll go in there, same deal for you if the monkey I'm dealing with cant make a decision, i'll talk to a monkey who can actually decide something rather than talk to a phone answering chimp. I got a message back the next week....money taken has been returned. A win is a win with these idiots.
 
By: John from NT, Australia on November 24, 2014 @ 11:19 am
Ky

Yes your situation proves beyond reasonable doubt that whilst its men that are mostly affected (over 90% I believe) it is also women like
yourself that are bought down by the Family Law Courts 'care pencentage' and formula assessment.

Make no mistake; its crap laws that need reforming and your situation is an exact replica of mine.

For me though I was lucky having started a family late. I have now reached 'preservation age' and can retire from the workforce
which I will be doing soon. It has cost me several thousand dollars (legal, psychologist, GP) fees to get all the evidence I need
to prove I am not a dead beat father (seems to be a trend here) first though. This if needed to fend off the potential
CSA investigation that I have anticipated if the x lodges an 'objection'.

I didn't want this result and have been forced to retire 10 years before my time and the kids well who knows what their fate
will be.

Just for your information have a look at Parental Alienation Syndrome (PAS) on the net - I have read up on this and
it certainly applies in my situation. Perhaps there is some info in their that explains why you are treated life shit
by your x.

Good luck Ky - I feel sorry for you. Take care!
 
By: Lu33 from W.A, Australia on November 23, 2014 @ 8:20 am
i have sat here reading this this morning cos I'm at my wits end with csa .. I've been with my partner for 11 yrs and for those 11 yrs he's paid his csa and fought to no avail to be in his daughters lives he's been slagged off constantly for being s dead beat dad when the x is the one preventing him from seeing them. He like many others decided to go mining so we can get somewhere and now he's slugged over $2000 per month :( so we loose him to the mine and still see no light ... His eldest turns 18 in 6 months but apparently his csa payments only reduce to $1350 per month for 1 child ... Why is one child worth $650 per month and the other $1350?? We struggle constantly , he has raised my son since 3 yrs old no one gives me $1350 per month for him! His dad pays $180 per week which is great no complaints but tell me why mine can be raised on that yet his youngest needs $337 per week to survive ... Csa should be a flat rate as families like us can get no where. His x holidays every few months (without children) has brand knew car own home etc... We can't get out of our rental there's nothing to save :( I've been on the other side I understand how it feels when the dad is a dead beat but this is just not fair I want to scream in some polly's face but what's the point ... My partner is now depressed and after all this time the cracks r showing with us all cos of csa , 2 men at his mine have now ended their lives thru similar situations and it terrifies me someone needs to take a long hard look at this b4 too many more good dads doing the right thing loose their lives or their knew families thru thing out of their control.
 
By: Ky from Nsw, Aus on November 22, 2014 @ 1:20 pm
Hi, I feel and understand your point. I know I'm a mum not a father but guess what, after years of mental abuse I asked for a divorce, what I got was thrown out of my house and my children were not able to see me. 2 days after he threw me out he claimed child support. I'm the bread winner and have always been but he does work full time and earns an above average wage, so we were ok financially. He 'allows' some access now but when he realised that the kids staying overnight at my home (of which I rent and had to borrow almost everything to begin again as all I have is the shirt on my back) affected how much money I have to pay him, so he keeps ringing CSa claiming 100% care he hasn't provided any evidence but I have to prove the sleepovers I rarely get to prove a pattern. I'm currently paying $520 per week for 3 kids. By the time I pay rent I can barely buy myself food, let alone pay the $5000 of bills he left in my name. I'm in the process of taking him to court to access my children but the time it takes is impossible. The system is not right there needs to be a cap on the cost of raising children just because I have worked my backside off and built a career for 20 years should mean I am left so little that struggle to even have the basics. He gets to live off me while I starve and in the middle are my poor kids who because I have no money left to buy them even the basic things they need find my home budget and boring. My only hope is the family law court, because as it seems I have no rights.
 
By: Paul Carpenter from NSW, Australia on November 11, 2014 @ 4:43 pm
Tezperth you are better off threatening them with legal action. They hide behind ACTs not the law. Threaten to sue individuals for neglegance. They are under the belief they are immune from civil law.

Individuals in any kid of job can be taken to court and sued for neglegance even government employees.. It had to have an individual sign off on the action is would not be a computor generated action. I would start with the head of child support first and your local MP.

Good luck my friend
 
By: TezPerth from WA, Australia on November 11, 2014 @ 11:18 am
Here we go again, had two accounts frozen last year, one was sorted, the other I wasn't using etc, till now. Went to the bank to have it sorted, eventually had the other account unfrozen. The next day even though I have an agreement, and wages are being garnished, my bank accounts are cleaned out. After yet another heated call, (I know I wont get that money back), but I demand it back anyway, the account should not have been frozen as I have been working etc etc, clown on phone says she'll ask the clown above her once the money hits to see if it will be sent back to me, (which I doubt). It may take a week she said, if not I told her I will go to CSA in Perth and create a scene for the sake of it, it wont achieve anything, other than make my life hard, i'll make yours hard too.
 
By: Brad from wa, oz on November 10, 2014 @ 5:39 pm
logging in all the time is a pain fit this site ... it needs updating ...
CSA are a butch of theives...
it is theft plain and simple ...
resist paying always ...
I
my bitch got the house everything
where is the men's support agency?
 
330. By: Paul Carpenter from NSW, Australia on November 10, 2014 @ 8:23 pm
At least they don't put our face on the local Post Office wall here or put us into jail or cancel our driver's license for not paying Child Support.

Putting someone in jail or cancelling their license kinda defeats the purpose of getting them to pay child support doesn't it?

Ever thought about giving CSA a Promisorry note for and CSA debt?

I did read somewhere that as far as the ATO is concerned a Promisorrory note is legal tender. Might be worth a try.

Go to www.getoutofdebtfree.net or it might be .org not 100% sure on that one. They will show you how to do a Promisesorry note for free.

Please excuse my spelling this flaming thing will not let me spell it correctly.

I am thinking of doing it. I am going to make the date I am promising to pay probably long after I am dead and buried.

Paul.
 
By: Paul Carpenter from NSW, Australia on November 10, 2014 @ 7:33 pm
The CSA Agency where do I start?? I just can not wait for their END OF FINANCIAL YEAR CREATIVE ACCOUNTING. I injured myself March 30th 2014 on my way to work at 10.30 pm at night. It was a rainy Sunday night leaves blocked the guttering above the main door ways of our apartment block and because of the rain there was once again a waterfall falling right in front of the door way. By my trying to dodge the water fall even though I had my wet weather gear on I slipped down about three steps and blew my right knee out. HaHAAAAAA I could not go to work. Is everyone aware that we are no longer covered by WORKERS COMP in N.S.W going to and from work. I did know even at the time I hurt myself. It is now November 10th 2014 and I have not worked a day since. How ever I am still obliged to pay the over $2,000 per month CSA payments to CSA.

My Eldest left school at 15 in New Zealand but did not start working full time until he was 16. His mother even lied about when he starting working full time. Not only that at the time I was paying about $1,000. per month he went off Child Support and my CSA payments went up a thousand a month, how does that work??

I have remarried and the child support I pay drives my wife nuts. Mind you she comes from a country where when a couple married or defacto split up the parent left with the kids are out on their own which is something I am not comfortable with. In willingly pay child support so long as it is sustainable. My income before tax and child support with out over time is $3,098.00 a fortnight with out over time or meal allowances. I do not always get over time or meal allowances so if I am on the bare minimum so to speak I am left with about $2,400. a month our rent is $1,400. a month. Myself and my wife gets what is left to live on.

My wife does not speak English well as unfortunately she just not have the ability to attend school in her country. So for her to get a job that pays reasonably well is next to zero. She does struggle with English but at least we understand each other most of the time and it sure does have it's humorous moments. But anyway I am quite prepared to help anyone in anyway I can here. Just remember this if you do not put a tax return in they will assess you on last years return and also I have been told the ATO is now fining people for not putting returns in.

Takecare and GOD BLESS everyone.
Paul.


 
By: Bruce H from WA, Australia on November 10, 2014 @ 7:45 am
Penny: my take on property settlements was all assets/liabilities are fair game up until a binding financial agreement or property hearing/court order, whether a divorce has occurred or not. Assets/liabilities accumulated through the marriage are the most significant and carry the most weight, however other A/L maybe relevant thereafter until the finish line. ie. final prop orders. As for your car bought after the divorce it maybe wise to mention it [under full+ frank disclosure rules]. Also is the car an asset with equity in it or is there a loan on it creating a liability. Anyway, hope this sheds some light whether it be absolutely correct or not.
 
By: Penny from Victoria, Australia on November 8, 2014 @ 8:28 pm
I am doing my own property settlement up against my exes bitchy lawyer and unsure whether I have to to include my car in the financial statement, when it was bought well after the divorce was finalized (about 10 mths). Can anyone help?
 
By: Bruce Heldorf from WA, Australia on November 8, 2014 @ 7:55 pm
Hi Jane, just ensure the private agreement is clear, in writing, witnessed + made legal. Lawfully, it should stand strong, however in the world of contracts, people + CSA can anything ever be guaranteed 100%?
 
By: Jane from Queensland, Australia on November 7, 2014 @ 9:53 pm
So, the X has discovered that all of the centrelink payments and benefits that were once enjoyed, are no longer being paid because of the $1078/week that is being received to her for the two children (CS). So now the X wants to make a private agreement that would benefit us and them (new payment down to 700/week). If she tells CSA that we have a private agreement, can she then go back later and demand the excess in back payments that she will no longer receive due to the private agreement?
 
By: John from NT, Australia on November 4, 2014 @ 2:15 pm
Hi all
The Law is unfair as indeed it has been since its inception. Especially unfair when the effective custody is 0% / 100% split. This is particularly pernicious.

The Judiciary (Family Law Court) makes judgements within the Law and discretionary powers accorded that Court.

Essentially if we want law reform we must go for the pollies and make them the focus of our attention.

Thing is 'the system' as it is collects enormous CSA payments by gouging the 0% partner. The system will not change whilst this is the case, its saving the taxpayer billions in family welfare payments.

So you as the 0% (loser basically) MUST take it on the chin and move to a non-reciprocating country to live out your days or until the youngest child turns 18.

You may wish to inform yourself by spending some time with your local Legal Advice Bureau - they can assist in providing some background to your options (usually none).

The more 0% ers that leave the country the better as far as I am concerned and Oh! Sorry forgot too mention. This Family Law Act was supposed to be supporting the children. Clearly this appears to be the case on face value but if you are a 0% er it is incontestable; YOU ARE THE GREATEST FOOL! Certainly I feel some conviction that my life has been (financially at least) destroyed.

This site is great to vent your fury, but alas it will not change a thing in Law.

Good luck and God bless.


 
By: Erin from QLD, Australia on November 3, 2014 @ 10:04 pm
Have no idea if any of the government read this page but I highly doubt it... My feelings on child support is that it is 50/50 as in the child has both parents DNA thus if we pay $500 a week then it should be the mother is obligated to do the same. And I think we all know that it does not and would not cost $1000.00 per week to raise one 13yr old child. Jane any tips or hints on overseas would be greatly appreciated I will be applying for a few tomorrow fingers and toes crossed😊😊
 
By: Jane from Queensland, Australia on November 3, 2014 @ 9:55 pm
Does anybody now it a Federal MP actually reads any of these comments?
Or is this a much needed place for us to vent?
 
By: Samantha from NSW, Australia on November 3, 2014 @ 2:22 pm
Yes it does Ron. The stupid part is I am the higher wage earner but chose to have time off to raise my son. It would have been much smarter to do it the other way around.
The best bit is we both desperately want another child, but there is just no way we can afford it. Not just the cost raising another child, but I would have to take more time off putting us back to square one.
So CSA has deprived my son not only of financial security, but also a sibling.
But its ok ... at least my husbands other children are taken care of.
 
320. By: Anthony from Vic, Aust on November 3, 2014 @ 1:42 pm
Just thought I'd share my experience...
We can blame CSA till the cows come home, but what I'm sure most people are saying is that the law is unfair.
When people decide not to be ruled by the coin, then alternative solutions will present themselves.
Meaning, don't let a dollar sign decide your happiness.
Write to the federal MP about child support policy, I have.
It is their duty to respond to every letter.
If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
Only through persistence and perseverance will you overcome adversity.

 
By: Ron Ferguson from NSW, Australia on November 3, 2014 @ 12:39 pm
We're living parallel lives Samantha. Our only option is for me to be the stay at home dad while my new wife studies and will eventually work. I can do casual work that is low paid or else it's simply not worth me working.
 
By: Samantha from NSW, Australia on November 3, 2014 @ 11:42 am
I'm a little late to this, but CSA is pretty much running my life because of what my husband has to pay his ex wife. Approx 25% of his take home salary goes to Child Support. After that, rent, bills etc all come out I am struggling to afford to feed us, as I was by choice a stay at home mum. I no longer have that choice and have to go back to work so we can afford to live.
My husband and I have a 2 year old, who is missing out on so much because of the amount that is being paid to his ex. It seems like the CSA has deemed that his other children are so much more important than our son, which just breaks my heart. He's in 2nd hand clothes, has hand me down toys and my husbands ex is taking her 3 kids on a family holiday to New Zealand.
I understand that his other kids are important and he should definitely assist them financially, but why does it have to be at the detriment of our son?
To make things worse, the reason he has to pay so much is because according to CSA he has 0% of care, but if his ex adhered to the Parenting orders he would have them 23% of the time.
But then CSA don't give a damn if the ex is breaking the law or not, they have taken her word on everything every single step of the way.
 
By: Erin from QLD, Australia on November 2, 2014 @ 4:30 pm
Hi Jane yes depending on where he is going... If u do not pay tax in Australia then CSA CANT TOUCH HIS INCOME!! Even better if your relocating as he wouldn't be a resident of Australia nor pay tax. Just remember you can't leave Australia if u have a debt to the tax office or CSA It would need to be paid in full😊 I don't know where your husband is going but investigate it hopefully u are lucky and it will go that way for you. Keep in mind it is not all country's😀😀 Good luck
 
By: Jane from Queensland, Australia on November 2, 2014 @ 3:42 pm
Erin - you mentioned overseas? My husband has also been offered a position overseas. Is there a difference in CS if he accepts this position and we move over there?
 
By: Erin from QLD, Australia on October 30, 2014 @ 8:26 pm
Jane I feel your pain my husband is 4wks on and 1wk off and gets 2 days off in that 4wks he is away... I am disgusted with the whole process it should be an equal amount paid by both parents and there is no way a 13yr old cost 500 to 600 per week. I should know as we have my daughter who lives with us and is the same age!! My husbands daughter only talks to him once a week and he has now stopped asking to see her as her response is always no. And unfortunately we are of the opinion that if she ever comes into our lives when she is over 18 for anything other then getting to know her father again she will be sent away. My husband is not an ATM but this is how he is treated. Only 5yrs left for us we are even tempted in holding off on doing tax (we have always done the right thing but after CSA lately we are really tempted not to do it). Hubby is also looking for overseas. Hang in there Jane😊
 
By: Jane from Queensland, Australia on October 30, 2014 @ 8:11 pm
John,
thankyou - here's hoping we don't have to continue to live just above the poverty line for too many years
 
By: John from NT, Aust on October 30, 2014 @ 6:07 am
Jane
Oh I sympathise with your situ the system sucks.
I had the same issue exactly, after settling property i had 175K
avail which was not enough to buy a caravan site for accomm (Darwin)So i invested the funds in Teltra shares for income. Started getting ahead nicely. CSA came along and said "righty we'll have that" so in Sept 2011 I divested this income stream and have since made myself a smaller target where possible by legitimately reducing income. This has left me just living above the poverty line and not attractive to the 'fairer sex' to start a relationship again. It's cruel unjust and everything else you can think off.

I am not bitter for this though and many on this site deride the CSA (debt collectors) for their actions. The CSA is simply doing their job. No it's 'the wigs' (Family Law Courts) and the pollies (legislating crap laws) that are to blame for all this unfairness. Law reform is what's required.

Unfortunately knowing what I do about 'the system' in particular the political system. I will let all this crap fester in a cuntry that has lost its way. Particularly with its treatment of men with earning capacity many of whom are treated as ATM's. With no recourse under the current Law.

No the solution for me and I hope many others will twig onto this is to get out of this cuntry 'its hostile and toxic.

Jane and partner I wish you the best of luck.

Sympathies John
 
By: Jane from Qld, Australia on October 29, 2014 @ 8:40 pm
My partner has always paid the amount instructed by child support to his X for his two daughters, however he is "not allowed" to see the girls as there is always a family event that they have to attend with their stepfathers family.
My partner has recently started a new position which has him working away for four weeks and home for one. We decided to do this for a year so we can get ahead. I also work fulltime so our plan to get ahead and buy a home looked like it could happen. Now Child Support tell him he has to pay $1078/week.
Our decision now,,,"is it worth him working away from home so we can get ahead?"
The X does not work and has now talked her new husband to start an adult apprenticeship after all with the amount of CS she is now receiving they can live comfortable and still be able to go on holidays.
It does not cost $1078/week to raise two girls aged 14 and 16. I think the system is grossly unfair. The payer is not allowed to get ahead in life. It is as if he/she is being penalised for not having the children no matter how hard he/she fights to see them
 
By: John from NT, Australia on October 29, 2014 @ 9:20 am
Dave
The CSA is in no position to tell you what they will do for you.
If either parties income varies from what the CSA have on their books either party can lodge a "Change of Assessment" at any time in the annual pay cycle.

The CSA are simply BS you (as usual). What you can do is lodge an appeal/Objection and CSA is obligated to check 'her' income they don't have to disclose this to you though.

If you are 'private collect' the two parties have to agree how any outstanding (arrears) can be colected. The paying party however, must still be able to live and can pay the debt off in a reasonable time. For e.g. I am paying off a 2K debt at 200 per forntnight currently.

Hope this helps.

Also with her income make sure the CSA is counting her Family Tax benefit A. Many Fems out there dont declare this in their income thus doing a sneaky one. The system supports them though so nuff said about that.

Good luck matey!


 
310. By: Erin from QLD, Australia on October 29, 2014 @ 7:38 am
Dave if the amount is not greater then 15% what she estimated then they do not have too. My husband and I have just been screwed over for this my husband under estimated and not on purpose it was due to a job change and not knowing what we would get!! CSA have backed dated so we now have a $5000.00 debt and on top of that we are now being forced to pay $600.00 a week until February! Wait for it even when February comes we will still be paying $300 per week as they say a 13yr old costs that much... I have a 13yr old and she does not get $300pw I can assure u.