Child Maintenance Agreements With Your Ex

In today’s blog, we share five simple and legal ways you can come to child maintenance agreements with your ex-partner.

Utilize the Child Maintenance Calculator

Firstly, before seeking out external help, both parents can reach a child maintenance agreement independently using the Child Maintenance Calculator. This tool provides a guideline for calculating payments based on various factors, ensuring both parents understand their financial responsibilities.

Understand the ‘Collect and Pay’ Service

However, if you face difficulties in receiving agreed payments, the Child Maintenance Department can intervene through the ‘Collect and Pay’ service. This involves the department collecting payments from your ex-partner via HMRC. However, this service incurs an additional 20% cost for the payer, which can add up to hundreds of pounds per month, making it a less preferred option.

Consider the Impact of Overnight Stays

Furthermore, child maintenance calculations include the number of overnight stays the child has with each parent throughout the year. More overnight stays with one parent can reduce the maintenance payable by the other. It’s crucial to aim for a fair division of time to avoid disputes, as courts frown upon parents who manipulate overnight stays to increase payments.

Clarify Payment for Additional Expenses

Once the Child Maintenance Service calculates the required payment, it covers all basic costs, including child care, school uniforms, and private education. There is no legal obligation for the paying parent to cover additional expenses beyond this assessment. We, at Family Mediation Services Ltd, encourage parents to contribute as much as they can afford to ensure their child’s needs are fully met.

Address Self-Employment Challenges

Nevertheless, calculating child maintenance for self-employed parents can be complex, as they might not declare their full income to HMRC. In such cases, applying to the court for a Child Arrangement Order can help ensure fair maintenance assessments. Note, however, that any court order can be overridden by a Child Maintenance Service assessment after one year.

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate the complexities of child maintenance more effectively and ensure a fair and reasonable agreement for your child’s well-being. For personalised support and guidance, contact us today.