Child Maintenance

Our lawyers can support you with a wide range of child maintenance issues, from providing advice on your legal position and assisting with private ‘family-based arrangements. If you have separated recently we can also support you in agreeing with your partner how you can split your assets to help you come to a fair agreement for you and your children. Agreeing on finances after separation.

Its worth knowing the court does not have the power to make an order in relation to child maintenance unless it is agreed between you and your partner/spouse. Only the Child Maintenance Service has the power to order child maintenance (as long as you both live in England or Wales).

A calculation can be made on the CMS website here. Child maintenance is calculated as a percentage of the non-resident parent’s salary having regard to the number of nights that parent has the child to stay with them, for which they will receive a reduction in the amount to be paid.

If you aren’t married we can also help regarding a legal claim for property or income that will support your child or children, sometimes called ‘Schedule 1’ (or ‘Schedule 1 Children Act’) claims.