Category: Child Maintenance
How to Set Up a Private Child Maintenance Agreement
What is a Private Child Maintenance Agreement? A private child maintenance agreement is an arrangement made directly between parents or guardians to provide financial support for their child, without the involvement of government agencies or official child maintenance services. In this type of agreement, both parties decide together how much money will be paid, how…
Understanding the Child Maintenance Process and Timeline UK
Introduction to the Child Maintenance Process The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) plays a vital role in helping separated parents provide financial support for their children. When parents live apart, ensuring that children receive consistent and fair financial contributions from both parents is essential for their wellbeing and development. The CMS offers a structured way to…
How Shared Care Credits Affect Child Maintenance UK
Introduction to Shared Care Credits When parents separate, both continue to have a financial responsibility to support their child. In some cases, the child spends time living with both parents. To ensure that child maintenance payments reflect this arrangement fairly, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) uses a system called shared care credits. What are Shared…
Special Expenses: How They Affect Child Maintenance Payments
Introduction to Special Expenses in Child Maintenance Special expenses are specific costs that a parent can ask the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) to take into account when calculating child maintenance payments. These expenses are not part of the standard calculation and are considered separately to ensure that the payment amount reflects the true financial circumstances…
How to Change a Child Maintenance Order: Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the Maintenance Order and Variation Process Understanding the Maintenance Order and Variation Process A maintenance order is a legal arrangement that sets out how much a non-residential parent must pay towards their child’s upbringing. In the UK, these orders are often managed by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), which calculates payments based on factors…
Eligibility and Grounds for Child Maintenance Variation UK
Introduction to Variation of Child Maintenance When it comes to child maintenance payments in the UK, a “variation” refers to a formal request to change the amount of money one parent pays to support their child. This adjustment can be made when circumstances change, such as a shift in income, extra costs relating to the…
Timelines and Effects of Child Maintenance Variations
Understanding Variation in Child Maintenance When it comes to child maintenance, a “variation” refers to a formal change made to the original arrangement or calculation set by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). Sometimes, the circumstances of either parent change after the CMS has made its initial decision. In these cases, a variation allows the payment…
Changing a Maintenance Order: Legal Overview
Understanding Maintenance Orders A maintenance order is a legal arrangement that requires one parent to make regular financial payments to support their child when parents live apart. These payments help cover the everyday costs of raising a child, ensuring their well-being and stability. Maintenance orders can be set up either by the courts or, more…
How Child Maintenance Is Enforced and Collected in the UK
Introduction to Child Maintenance Enforcement Child maintenance is a legal obligation that ensures children receive financial support from both parents, even if they are no longer living together. When parents separate or divorce, regular child maintenance payments help cover everyday costs such as food, clothing, and education. However, not all parents keep up with their…
Maintenance for Adult or Disabled Children: Your UK Guide
Introduction to Maintenance for Adult and Disabled Children Introduction to Maintenance for Adult and Disabled Children In the UK, maintenance for adult and disabled children refers to the financial support a parent may be required to provide for a child who is over the age of 16 but still dependent. While most people associate child…
