www.iva.co.uk

just wondering if 1 of the experts could help with the following (i did ask my IP but shes too busy to look at till end of next week).

im currently 1 year through my IVA, paying 377 of my 1590 income towards my IVA. i live alone paying 500 rent however my partner is due a baby in June and we are considering moving in together and was hoping for some guidance in working out the I&E.

she works part time 20hours a week but will of course be starting maternity leave soon. she also has a 8 year old son from a previous relationship which she recieves no maintance from the father. the question is could you help with working out the sums and what would we need to allocate to child costs, food etc & hence work out what we could potentially afford in Rent. currently £600 is the going rate for a 3bedroom house.

she is also on the council waiting list so perhaps that option may become available- i know a family renting a 3bedroom for just under £500.

i also have another payrise in April which my boss said will between 1&2K extra per annum so that should cover my share of costs towards the new baby.

i am just trying to weigh up my options before the baby is due as i really dont want to ask for my IVA payments to be reduced but also would like my partner to be financially as good as possible

Is it too personal a question to ask why your partner receives no maintenance from the father of her 8 year old child?
It is a long time since I dealt with statutory maternity pay and I am no longer sure of the requirements for becoming entitled to receive it.
I can't honestly give you an honest answer as to what you could be expecting to allocate to child costs. Perhaps if anyone on here who has recently been in this position has that information, they can share it.
There are other considerations with regards to renting, such as a deposit. Will you be able to raise that somehow? Without detriment to your creditors?

Hi
What will be your partners wages during maternity and will she be returning to work ?
I hope that you can move in together,don't put your life on hold because of your IVA....there usually is a way forward
Regards

You also need to explore what benefits you will be entitled to such as child benefit, working families tax credit, child tax credit or childcare vouchers, as well as the additional costs such as nappies, baby milk and food, clothing, essential equipment and childcare costs.

This is often best discovered by asking friends or relatives with children what their actual costs are.

Good point from Cybus on the lack of child maintenance - your IP will want to be assured that you are not jeopardising your IVA at the expense of someone else's responsibilities.

she doesnt receive any maintence as the father doesnt work and hes never been around to care for his child.

in terms of her salary while on materinty she will recieve 400-450 per month. she is planning on going back to work after 9months.

i actually got a reply from clearstart this morning based on the figures i put in my original post and she said it would be fine and my iva payments wouldnt need to change with renting @ £600.

deposit wont be a problem as my partner is able to pay for that - lucky!

thanks for your thoughts though