Child support
Where parents are living apart, it is essential that child maintenance arrangements are put in place to help the everyday living costs of the child. Child maintenance is paid by the parent who is not the day-to-day carer to the parent who is the main carer. A child for these purposes is defined as:
- a person under 16
- between 16 and 19 who is single and not in full time non-advanced education
- aged 16 or 17 not in education and registered for work or youth training
A Court now has only limited authority to make an Order for payment of child maintenance as the Child Support Agency (CSA) was set up by the Government to administer child maintenance for parents living in the United Kingdom. Where a maintenance assessment was made after 3rd March 2003, the basic formula for a parent who is not the main carer and has a net income of £200 per week or more, is as follows:-
- 15 percent of net income for one child
- 20 percent of net income for two children
- 25 percent of net income for three or more children
Since 27th October 2008, all parents can make a private agreement about child maintenance with the other parent. You can still apply to the CSA later if things do not work out.
There are advantages and disadvantages both in reaching an agreement or asking the CSA to calculate and/or collect child maintenance. We can advise on these and also on the new powers for collection and enforcement which are expected to be introduced shortly for people using the CSA.
If you want to discuss your child maintenance issues or need help dealing with the CSA, please contact us.
