I have an issue with my ex-husband.
We had child support set up through Child Support Agency under Self-management. I currently have our almost 16-year-old son every week and 1 weekend out of 4 - my ex has him 3 weekends out of four.
Under the CSA assessement I should be paying him monthly child support. When this was first set up about 6 or so years ago, I was paying this monthly amount directly to my ex's bank account. Approximately 2 1/2 years ago, I stopped paying because I lost my job. CSA were advised and my payment amount was assessed as 0 during this period.
At the time my ex said to me something along the lines of "your child support is inconsequential to me, I don't need your f&*ing money". I have no record of this conversation. I should have advised CSA of this and formalised it but my ex is so abusive and difficult to deal with I didn't.
I got a new job about 3 months later, worked for 6 months, lost that for 3 months and then have been working part time since. I have paid him any support in this period.
I have continued to advise CSA of my income and have submitted my tax returns. My ex is delinquent in his tax return by about 9 years and has not been advising CSA of his updated income. He has received numerous notifications of my income and assessments from CSA during this period - which he has obviously ignored.
Last week he contacted me wanting to pay back child support. I am unsure whether he has forgotten or is just needing money (he is a long term dope user and very difficult). I contacted CSA and advised them of everything I have written here. I asked them should I just pay. They informed my that because the agreement was "self managed" that if CSA got involved to collect they would only go back 3 months and therefore would only chase me for around $180.
They advised not to pay him anything now as he could possibly deny that he received money for child support and they advised that he was the one obligated to contact child support and advise and set up for CSA to collect in future. I advised my ex by email that all communications regarding child support was to go through CSA and contact them.
He obviously talked to CSA because this morning he informs me via email that he is going to sue me. I want to know if this is possible for him to sue. The back support could total around $7500. I believe his case against me is flimsy anyway because he did nothing for years. Will a court even entertain a law suit for this?
If I thought the money would go to help my son I would pay however my ex, as well as being a long term dope user, is useless with money and will just blow the money. I am desperately trying to save for my son's university, car and driving lessons. I currently drive my son to and from my ex almost every weekend (a round trip of about 3 hours twice a week), pay for all his dental, haircuts, money for outings, phone and the myriad of other things. My ex only paid half for school fees (about $150 per year) and half for school books and uniforms.
Would greatly appreciate any help.
We had child support set up through Child Support Agency under Self-management. I currently have our almost 16-year-old son every week and 1 weekend out of 4 - my ex has him 3 weekends out of four.
Under the CSA assessement I should be paying him monthly child support. When this was first set up about 6 or so years ago, I was paying this monthly amount directly to my ex's bank account. Approximately 2 1/2 years ago, I stopped paying because I lost my job. CSA were advised and my payment amount was assessed as 0 during this period.
At the time my ex said to me something along the lines of "your child support is inconsequential to me, I don't need your f&*ing money". I have no record of this conversation. I should have advised CSA of this and formalised it but my ex is so abusive and difficult to deal with I didn't.
I got a new job about 3 months later, worked for 6 months, lost that for 3 months and then have been working part time since. I have paid him any support in this period.
I have continued to advise CSA of my income and have submitted my tax returns. My ex is delinquent in his tax return by about 9 years and has not been advising CSA of his updated income. He has received numerous notifications of my income and assessments from CSA during this period - which he has obviously ignored.
Last week he contacted me wanting to pay back child support. I am unsure whether he has forgotten or is just needing money (he is a long term dope user and very difficult). I contacted CSA and advised them of everything I have written here. I asked them should I just pay. They informed my that because the agreement was "self managed" that if CSA got involved to collect they would only go back 3 months and therefore would only chase me for around $180.
They advised not to pay him anything now as he could possibly deny that he received money for child support and they advised that he was the one obligated to contact child support and advise and set up for CSA to collect in future. I advised my ex by email that all communications regarding child support was to go through CSA and contact them.
He obviously talked to CSA because this morning he informs me via email that he is going to sue me. I want to know if this is possible for him to sue. The back support could total around $7500. I believe his case against me is flimsy anyway because he did nothing for years. Will a court even entertain a law suit for this?
If I thought the money would go to help my son I would pay however my ex, as well as being a long term dope user, is useless with money and will just blow the money. I am desperately trying to save for my son's university, car and driving lessons. I currently drive my son to and from my ex almost every weekend (a round trip of about 3 hours twice a week), pay for all his dental, haircuts, money for outings, phone and the myriad of other things. My ex only paid half for school fees (about $150 per year) and half for school books and uniforms.
Would greatly appreciate any help.