Child Maintenance

Our child maintenance solicitors have considerable experience in child maintenance law. We provide legal advice on the financial support for children which often involves wider issues surrounding family relationships.

If a child does not live with you, you will be required to pay child maintenance for them. The Child Maintenance Service is responsible for determining the amount the parent is required to pay. The exact amount payable can be calculated by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

The Court can also order financial provision for children over and above that which is determined by the Child Maintenance Service under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989. These are referred to as “Schedule 1 Applications”. Separated parents (both married and unmarried), Guardians, Special Guardians and those parents with whom a child lives can apply on behalf of a child. In special circumstances a child can make an application in their own right if they are over 18 and receiving training or instruction at an educational establishment or training for a trade, profession or vocation.

The Court has the power to award child maintenance payments, lump sum payments, a transfer of property or settlement of property for a child during their minority. In practice, Court Orders for maintenance payments will only be made in certain circumstances such as where one parent is abroad, in order to meet education expenses, to assist with the costs for a disabled child or where the paying parents are very high earners.

Here to help

Our specialist teams can provide full service legal advice and assistance, providing practical and cost-effective solutions.

Our offices

Bournemouth
302 Charminster Road Bournemouth Dorset BH8 9RU
01202 525333 Contact
London
Office 320 107 – 111 Fleet Street London EC4A 2AB
02039 784720 Contact
Poole
14a Haven RoadCanford Cliffs, Poole Dorset BH13 7LP
01202 709898 Contact
Ringwood
Monmouth Court Southampton Road, Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1HE
01425 484848 Contact
Swanage
55 High Street Swanage Dorset BH19 2LT
01929 422233 Contact
Wimborne
39a East Street Wimborne Dorset BH21 1DX
01202 057676 Contact