{"id":1609,"date":"2018-04-18T16:06:29","date_gmt":"2018-04-18T16:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/?p=1609"},"modified":"2020-05-12T14:06:32","modified_gmt":"2020-05-12T14:06:32","slug":"what-are-your-child-maintenance-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2018\/04\/18\/what-are-your-child-maintenance-options\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Your Child Maintenance Options?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1.jpg\"><img data-attachment-id=\"1614\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2018\/04\/18\/what-are-your-child-maintenance-options\/childmaintenanceoptionswp-2\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"1022,767\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Child Maintenance Options\" data-image-description=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1-300x225.jpg\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1.jpg\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1022\" height=\"767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1.jpg 1022w, https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/ChildMaintenanceOptionsWP-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1022px) 100vw, 1022px\" \/><\/a>When a relationship breaks down\u00a0I&#8217;m often asked:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>How do I get Child Maintenance?<\/li>\n<li>How much will I get?<\/li>\n<li>What if we can&#8217;t agree?<\/li>\n<li>What if the paying parent won&#8217;t pay, or is abroad, or is very rich?<\/li>\n<li>How\u00a0about the school fees?<\/li>\n<li>Does it make a difference if the parents aren&#8217;t married?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You&#8217;ll find answers to all these questions below.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s\u00a0no cheap matter to bring up children and to provide them with all their needs. And it costs even more if you&#8217;re a lone parent. A recent report states:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe basic cost of a child from birth to age 18, excluding housing, childcare and council tax, is \u00a375,436 for a couple family, and \u00a3102,627 for a lone-parent family.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cpag.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/TheCostofaChildin2017.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"><em>The Cost of a Child in 2017 <\/em><\/a>by CPAG<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #33cccc;\"><em>Feelings may be running high between you and the children\u2019s other parent but if you can for a moment put your differences aside and reach an agreement, this will be good not only for the children but for your ability to work together for the children\u2019s welfare in the future.<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n<h3>How Do I Get Maintenance For The Children?<\/h3>\n<p>The\u00a0best approach is to reach an agreement between you. This is often referred to as a <em>Family Based Agreement<\/em>. But what do you need to agree?<\/p>\n<p>There are many Child Maintenance options. Monthly payments, regular lump sums, or payments for clothes, toys, sporting activities, music lessons, school uniforms or even school fees. Another alternative is to share the care of the children.<\/p>\n<p>Parents sometimes agree a combination of all the above.<\/p>\n<h3>What If We Can\u2019t Agree?\u00a0What If Payments Aren&#8217;t Made?<\/h3>\n<p>If you can\u2019t agree Child Maintenance between you there&#8217;s always <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/constructive-negotiations\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Negotiation<\/em><\/a> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/collaborative-law\" target=\"_blank\">Collaborative Law <\/a><\/em>or<em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/mediation\" target=\"_blank\">Mediation<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Otherwise you will\u00a0need to apply to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/child-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Child Maintenance Service<\/em><\/a> for help. A fee is charged. If the paying parent fails to make the payments, the CMS can collect\u00a0them for you.<\/p>\n<h3>How Much Child Maintenance Will I Get?<\/h3>\n<p>This online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/calculate-your-child-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\"><em>calculator<\/em><\/a> is a useful guide.<\/p>\n<h3>What About Children Who Are Over 16 But Not In Full Time Education?<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The age stipulation for Child Maintenance\u00a0through\u00a0the Child Maintenance Service can be a worry especially if your child is disabled. If you can\u2019t agree payments, an application may be made to the Court under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.<\/p>\n<h3>What About School Fees?<\/h3>\n<p>There is no provision for the payment of school fees under the Child Maintenance Service. If you can\u2019t agree, you can make an application to the Court under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.<\/p>\n<h3>How About Unmarried Parents?<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Here again, an agreement reached privately between parents is the ideal. Failing which, there is\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/constructive-negotiations\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Negotiation<\/em><\/a>,<em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/collaborative-law\" target=\"_blank\">Collaborative Law\u00a0<\/a><\/em>or<em>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/how-we-do-it\/mediation\" target=\"_blank\">Mediation<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>Otherwise make an\u00a0application to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/child-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Child Maintenance Service<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But the Child Maintenance Service can only help so far &#8211; it cannot provide lump sums or housing. And in the case of unmarried families there is no opportunity to obtain Court orders during the divorce process. But there&#8217;s always Schedule 1 of the Children Act. An Application may be made for a lump sum, or for the transfer of property.<\/p>\n<h3>What If The Paying Parent Lives Abroad?<\/h3>\n<p>If you&#8217;re part of an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/what-we-do\/international-family-law\" target=\"_blank\"><em>international family<\/em><\/a>, and the paying parent lives abroad and isn&#8217;t paying Child Maintenance, the answer\u00a0is to make an application under Schedule 1 of the Children Act. But check with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/child-maintenance\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Child Maintenance Service<\/em><\/a> first because there are exceptions to the rule that it doesn&#8217;t deal with paying parents abroad.<\/p>\n<h3>What If the Paying Parent is Very Rich?<\/h3>\n<p>The Child Maintenance Service can only assess income of the paying parent up to \u00a33000 gross per week. So if you need a top up, the answer is to make an application under Schedule 1 of the Children Act. The question of school fees can also be addressed.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re unmarried, this could be your opportunity to apply for a transfer of property or for a lump sum in order to provide the children with a home and other needs.<\/p>\n<h3>Child Maintenance Options<\/h3>\n<p>Contact\u00a0 Joanne Houston on 01962 217640 for\u00a0<strong>free<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>advice<\/strong>\u00a0on Child Maintenance Options. In this 20 minute session we will review your situation and how you can achieve your objectives.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080;\">See my linked blog\u00a0<a style=\"color: #808080;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2018\/03\/21\/maintenance-and-clean-break-on-divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Maintenance and Clean Break on Divorce<\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #808080;\">Who\u2019s entitled to Spousal Maintenance?\u00a0How\u2019s it calculated?<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #808080;\">What\u2019s a Clean Break, and is it the answer?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #808080;\">Also see my blog <a style=\"color: #808080;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2018\/02\/23\/what-comes-first-divorce-or-settlement\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>What Comes First Divorce or Settlement<\/em><\/a> about how to get the best divorce for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<blockquote><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/about-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">JUST FAMILY LAW<\/a>\u00a0are specialist divorce and family law solicitors offering\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/06\/02\/pay-as-you-go-divorce-family-law-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personalised legal solutions<\/a>.\u00a0We offer\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/2017\/11\/29\/collaborative-law-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">collaborative law<\/a>\u00a0which is especially relevant in providing\u00a0solutions tailored to your family\u2019s needs. This includes same sex couples and their families. Visit our website\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">just-family-law.com<\/a>\u00a0The topics covered in this blog post are complex and are provided for general guidance only. Therefore if any of the circumstances mentioned in this blog have application to you, seek expert legal advice.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Image Toy Rabbit by Nevit Dilmen on <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:04900_Toy_Rabbit.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Wikimedia<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When a relationship breaks down\u00a0I&#8217;m often asked: How do I get Child Maintenance? How much will I get? What if we can&#8217;t agree? What if the paying parent won&#8217;t pay, or is abroad, or is very rich? How\u00a0about the school fees? Does it make a difference if the parents aren&#8217;t married? You&#8217;ll find answers to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[268],"tags":[336,337,339,340,52,335,338,341],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1609"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1633,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1609\/revisions\/1633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.just-family-law.com\/blog\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}