What should child maintenance pay for?

Child maintenance covers the cost of the everyday care of the child, such as food, clothes, and housing. Expenses such as school fees do not fall under child maintenance – parents who are getting a divorce can make a “Family Based Arrangement” to deal with costs like this.

Does child maintenance cover school clothes in the UK?

What costs does child maintenance cover? Child maintenance payments are designed to cover the everyday needs of the child such as food, clothing and housing. School fees are not usually covered under child maintenance, but a family-based arrangement can be created to cover this.

What's the most child maintenance payment?

On the basic rate, if you're paying for: one child, you'll pay 12% of your gross weekly income. two children, you'll pay 16% of your gross weekly income. three or more children, you'll pay 19% of your gross weekly income.

How much maintenance must a father pay?

12% of your gross weekly income for one child. 16% of your gross weekly income for two children. 19% of your gross weekly income for three or more children.

Do I have to pay child maintenance if my ex remarries?

Whether or not you have remarried, or your ex-partner has remarried, does not affect the obligation to continue paying child maintenance.

How much child maintenance should a father pay?/ Family Law Solicitors Mallow Cork/ Vicki Buckley

Does child maintenance cover swimming lessons?

As well as the bare necessities, child maintenance can cover; childcare. activities like swimming lessons.

What do CSA payments include?

Maintenance payments are intended to be used in the best interest of the child and to cover the child's expenses. This may include shelter, food, clothing, childcare costs and any educational needs.

Does child maintenance include mortgage?

Married: If you are married to the child's parent then it does not matter who owns the family home. If the child support does not cover the mortgage payments and household bills, your ex-spouse could apply for spousal maintenance.

Does child maintenance include housing costs?

Child maintenance covers the cost of the everyday care of the child, such as food, clothes, and housing. Expenses such as school fees do not fall under child maintenance – parents who are getting a divorce can make a “Family Based Arrangement” to deal with costs like this.

What maintenance covers UK?

Child maintenance covers how your child's living costs will be paid when one of the parents does not live with the child. It's made when you've separated from the other parent or if you've never been in a relationship. This is a financial arrangement between you and the other parent of your child.

Does my ex have to pay half the mortgage and child maintenance?

While money can be tight when you are going through the divorce process and beginning to build a separate life from your spouse, it is important not to neglect paying the mortgage. Equally, paying child maintenance is important in order to ensure that your child's living costs are met.

Can child maintenance ask for bank statements?

If your child's other parent is chasing you for arrears

For example, you could show bank statements which list the payments you made. If you agree with the amount but can't afford to pay, try to agree a repayment plan with the other parent. You can check how much you could afford to pay.

Do I have to pay child maintenance if it's 50 50 custody?

The law changed recently so that if there is 50:50 shared care the non-resident parent does not pay any child maintenance anymore if they can prove that they are doing an equal amount of the everyday care of the children.

Do child maintenance take debts into account?

Any Child maintenance payment you make, weekly or monthly, will have been taken into account on your essential budget before working out what payments you can afford to your debt solution.

Does child maintenance include bonuses UK?

Gross income includes any bonus, commission or overtime payments. It also includes receipts from any pension scheme, tax credits, employment credits and disabled person's tax credits. Gross income excludes investment income, State Benefits, student grants and loans.

Does child maintenance cover school holidays?

The parent caring for the child will know, and it is commonly accepted amongst family lawyers and Judges that the amount paid in child maintenance does not stretch that far. Things such as school uniforms, school trips and extra-curricular activities are not classed as 'basic needs'.

Are clubs included in child maintenance?

Unfortunately, the answer is usually “no”. If the non-resident parent is paying child maintenance in accordance with the relevant child maintenance guidelines, there is no obligation on them to provide additional financial support to cover the cost of clubs and other activities.

How many overnight stays affect child maintenance?

Child maintenance payments

If shared care happens for an average of one night a week or more (at least 52 nights a year), this can affect the amount of child maintenance. The more nights that the child stays overnight with the paying parent the less child maintenance is due.

Can I pay child maintenance direct to my child when they are 18?

There is a common misconception that a parent can only claim child maintenance up until a child is 18 years old. However, there are two ways in which a parent can claim maintenance payments for a child over 18 years old, either via the court (seeking a court order for periodical payments) or via the CMS.

What age does child maintenance stop?

A parent's responsibility and right to apply for maintenance on behalf of a minor child ceases when the child becomes a major, namely 18 years of age.

How can ex partners avoid paying child maintenance?

Can you pay child maintenance directly to the child?

If parents reach an agreement over child support, and there is no Child Maintenance Service or court involvement, then it is possible to agree to pay the child maintenance direct to the child.

Can I refuse to pay child maintenance?

Under normal circumstances, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) can take action against a parent that doesn't pay child maintenance in full or misses a payment. However, the last 12 months have hardly been normal.

Can I sue my ex wife for not paying the mortgage?

Depending on the unique circumstances of your situation, the court may be able to order the property sold to pay off the mortgage, but this is unlikely if your ex is living in the home. If the divorce court cannot help you, you can sue him in a new lawsuit for the damage that he is causing you.

Can my ex refuses to pay mortgage?

Your lender has the right to chase both parties, either jointly or individually, for payments - plus any costs, legal fees or loss made upon any possible repossession. Any refusal to pay the mortgage will impact your ex-partner's credit file as well as yours.