Advice needed on maintenance payment from ex-husband which has not increased in 12 years despite requests

I am a divorced mother, with 3 dependents going to college. My ex-husband has not increased maintenance in 12 years despite repeated requests. He gives me €190 per week and 50% of some expenses (he decides). Given the cost of living and inflation over the past 12 years, do you think this sum is fair? I work in Admin with a salary of €33,000 pa. I am always struggling financially and live from week to week, my children all work weekends to help pay for their social life, clothes etc. I understand maintenance varies on circumstances but I feel very frustrated with my situation and cannot afford to take him back to court. He is not involved in their lives, so all the parenting is left to me. He meets them for lunch every now and then. Do you think his contribution is too little?

What we think doesn't matter to be brutally honest.

Sorry, post closed on me before I'd finished.

Child Maintenance is based on both parents income & outgoings.

You don't need to pay legal fees to get an order for Child Maintenance.

Go to your local district court and ask them for the required forms. You'll need to also complete an Affidavit of Means & an Affidavit of Welfare.

The court clerks are very helpful, though of course they can't give legal advice.

Edit to add: max available in District Court is €150 per week per child. Which amount hasn't changed in decades - but thats another day's discussion.

Eloah123 said:

cannot afford to take him back to court.

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Maybe the Legal Aid Board, FLAC or the Courts Service might be able to assist should the need arise to go back to court?

You have a few options:

Can you afford an initial meeting with a solicitor who should help you understand the costs of going back to court for an adjustment order. This would be really helpful to you in laying out the costs and potential complexities.

We don’t know if €190 per week is fair because we don’t know your ex spouse circumstances, but there is no need to tell us here either.

If the 3 kids are adults (older than 18) can they ask their parent directly for financial support? Easier said than done and they sound like great kids with part time jobs etc. Have you laid out to them your income and expenditure and can the 4 of you decide together the best use of the household income. I assume you have all the Suzi grants etc.

And finally can you look to earn more, change job, upskill, work longer hours. I have no idea of your circumstances so these are only suggestions.

Clamball said:

I assume you have all the Suzi grants etc.

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FWIW...

Clamball said:

understand the costs of going back to court for an adjustment order

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Do the forms yourself & its zero.