At Garratts, we know how stressful child support issues can be, and we are committed to supporting you throughout this process with the highest levels of professionalism and confidentiality. We will provide mediation services where appropriate to resolve disputes without going through lengthy court proceedings or taking up valuable time in an already busy life. Please speak to our team of legal experts about your case by calling 0161 665 3502.
What is a child maintenance agreement?
A child maintenance agreement is a private arrangement between two parents setting out how living costs for a child will be paid and by whom. Getting help from a family law solicitor with drafting your child maintenance agreement is advisable and can help ensure the best outcome for your family.
What does the Child Maintenance Service do?
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can provide assistance when parents cannot agree.
The Child Maintenance Service or Agency considers factors such as childcare costs, how much money is available to provide for the child, what debts are owed etc. The more information provided about income and expenses, the easier it will be to assess the financial situation.
If you pay child maintenance through the Child Maintenance Service, it will be paid until your child turns 16 or 20 if they are in full-time education.
If made through the Child Maintenance Service, any child maintenance payments will be paid on a fixed payment schedule. Equally, a failure to make payments can result in the CMS taking legal intervention.
Who can apply for child maintenance?
You can apply for child maintenance if you are the biological or adoptive parent or otherwise legal guardian of a child. You can do so via a private agreement or by using the government's Child Maintenance Service.
How to calculate child maintenance payments in 2023
Use the child maintenance calculator on the UK government website to calculate future child maintenance payment estimates. To do so, you will need to have details about the other parent's income and benefits to hand. You may also be asked how many nights the child currently spends at your co-parent's home.
My co-parent has not made any payments in the last six months. What can I do?
If you've used the Child Maintenance Service to help you set up your payment schedule, you can inform them about the lack of payments. They will be able to take further steps.
If your arrangement was made in private, you should consult one of our legal experts for help with your case. To speak to our team, fill in our contact form or call us on 0161 665 3502.
