Child Maintenance Solicitors
Our family law experts have substantial experience in all child maintenance issues. Whether you need help arranging a child support agreement or there’s a dispute, we’re here to help secure the best result for you and your children.
Talk to one of our team members on 0330 111 3131
Need Help With Child Support?
When couples with children decide to separate or divorce, child maintenance is paid by the parent who no longer lives with the child (called the ‘non-resident’ or ‘paying’ parent) to help cover living costs. And although some separating couples can agree on child maintenance payments with their former partner directly and with no problems, we understand that it is not always so straightforward.
If you’re having an issue negotiating a child maintenance arrangement, or you feel the terms of an existing agreement are unfair or require updating, we can help.
Alternatively, if one parent is not holding up their end of the agreement (such as non-payment), we can step in to resolve the issue.
To get started, contact our team today.
Contact Us Today
Child Maintenance Law
Separating couples have several options for determining child maintenance. The first and simplest option is a family-based arrangement, where the parents work out an agreement directly between themselves or with the aid of their solicitors.
If the parents cannot agree, the second option is to make an application to the government-led Child Maintenance Service (CMS). You can work out an estimate of how much you or your former partner is liable to pay using a child maintenance calculator.
It is up to the non-resident parent to pay child maintenance, and the current rates are as follows:
- Paying parents earning up to £800.00 per week will pay:
- With one child: 12% of gross income
- With two children: 16% of gross income
- With three or more children: 19% of gross income
- Paying parents earning between £800.01 and £3000.00 per week will pay:
- With one child: 9% of gross income
- With two children: 12% of gross income
- With three or more children: 15% of gross income
- Paying parents earning more than £3,000 per week:
- The receiving parent will need to apply to the family courts for extra payments
Important: The figures above assume the child lives with the receiving parent full-time. Payments can be reduced by several factors, such as the number of nights where the non-resident parent looks after the child.
Child maintenance can also be included in a court order arising from divorce or dissolution, although either parent can apply to the CMS to undertake an assessment after the order has existed for more than 12 months. In certain circumstances, however, the court retains the ability to deal with child maintenance, such as costs associated with training or arising from a disability.
How We Can Help
There are several ways we can help divorcing or separating parents when it comes to child maintenance agreements:
- We can help you negotiate a family-based arrangement
- We can help you turn family-based arrangements into legally binding court orders
- We can act as a mediator to help resolve all issues relating to divorce or separation, including child arrangements and finances – reducing the need for court proceedings
- We can help parents who wish to change the terms of their agreement, perhaps due to a change in circumstances
- We can help parents with non-payment issues in a family-based arrangement (parents who set up their child maintenance through the CMS should report non-payment to the CMS)
If you need our help, you can arrange a consultation with one of our child maintenance solicitors by filling out the contact form above, calling us, or using the live chat service below.
Trusted By Our Clients
“Having had to resolve a complex family situation involving child arrangements, I engaged the services of Slater Heelis. Throughout this difficult time, the support and legal advice I received were excellent and resulted in a positive outcome in Family Court. I would not hesitate to recommend their services should I need further legal help in the future.”
“I truly recommend Slater Heelis for their family services. Rebecca, who represented me, was a great source of guidance. She helped me navigate and obtain the divorce absolute and financial settlement. The outcome was exactly what I desired to secure my family’s financial future. Rebecca’s advice was clear and honest from the beginning, and she was highly sympathetic to the nature of my ex-partner and the situation I was in.”
“Many thanks to Charlotte Beck in family law. Truly agreeable, accommodating and adroit. Reached me a few hours of messaging with guidance on the best way to continue with my separation.”
Meet Our Team
