VIC Child Support - Financial Consent Orders - 10 years later

[StillSmiling]

Financial consent orders (and parenting orders) all sealed and stamped years ago when children toddlers. Ex and I are now on semi-amicable terms when it comes to raising our children, co-parenting OK. Money matters is a different story. He refuses to discuss finances, bordering on abusive discussions so I have stopped trying. Ex doesn't understand financial orders were property division of our joint assets. He thinks settlement was money he gave me to raise children while dependant. Settlement all went to paying my lawyer anyway so I actually have none of it! He agrees to our children participating in extra-curricular activities, camps, orthodontist, tutoring etc as we have equal shared responsibility for all matters but refuses to pay half, saying he pays child support already. But as a sole-trader, hasn't filed tax returns in years (his income based on provisional amt for CSA assessment purposes) so pays inaccurate/minimal CS. Surely as our children enter high school years I'm not expected to pay for uniforms, computers, phones, camps (some overseas) etc etc all myself? All the while ex tells our children he "gives mum money for things they want/need". Is my only option to get a CSA Change of Assessment? Disclosure was a joke during court proceedings (ex didn't disclose many assets - hiding and "selling" assets). From what I can see the CSA CoA process will be similar. I don't wan't ex knowing such detailed financial information about me when I know he won't be honest. I'm told the process is open discourse. Will I need to submit a CoA every time significant costs crop up over the next 6+ years of high school? I feel like my lawyer overlooked all these increases in costs down the track when drafting financial orders back then as there's nothing at all in orders covering costs like this. What are my options, what are others' experiences and advice? What is the CSA Change of Assessment process like? Thanks in advance.

 

[JamesN]

Hey, I’ve been through something similar. The CSA Change of Assessment process can be a hassle, but it might be the best way to get more accurate support from your ex. I had to go through it, and while it's a lot of paperwork and you have to share financial details, it did help get things more balanced. Also, keep track of all the extra costs you're covering for the kids—having detailed records can really help if you need to prove the financial burden. It’s not a fun process, but it could make a big difference.

 

[StillSmiling]

Thanks. Do you know if CSA will adjust assessment for items that I foresee will need to be paid? eg high school uniform/laptop/phone/camps. Or do they just base the reassessment on items already paid? In which case, did you have to keep putting in a reassessment every time you paid for a significant amount for the children? I don’t know if all the stress & paperwork is worth it. The ex knows I won’t let our children miss out, so knows I will find a way to pay, so he’s got me over a barrel.