CITIZENS ADVICE
A Citizen’s Advice. A local expert from Citizen’s Advice answers a question from the public. This Month: Difficult Child Maintenance Agreements
Q: “My relationship with my ex has been difficult for a couple of years, but we have always maintained communication for the sake of the children. Our daughter is now 14, her relationship with her father has deteriorated and she is saying she no longer wishes to visit him at weekends. He has agreed this is fine - but says that in that case he is no longer willing to pay child support for her. I can’t manage without the money he gives me for her upkeep. What should I do? A:
Child maintenance is an arrangement between you and the other parent of your child.
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It covers how your child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents no longer lives with them. It’s made when you’ve separated from the other parent (or if you’ve never been in a relationship). Both parents are responsible for and are expected to pay towards the cost of bringing up their children, even if they do not see them.
If your current agreement is a private arrangement and your ex-partner refuses to pay, you can search for a local mediator to help you work out child maintenance arrangements.
If your ex-partner continues not to pay, you may need to approach the Child Maintenance Service: they will contact your ex-partner, out how Both parents are work much s/he responsible for wshould be and, and are expected paying if necessary, to pay towards the collect the cost of bringing up money on your behalf.
Child maintenance can be either a private arrangement between you and the other their children, even parent, or made through if they do not see You may have the Child to pay a £20 them. Maintenance application fee Service - a though you will government scheme. not need to pay the fee if you’ve experienced domestic abuse. You need to have child maintenance arrangements for Read more about child maintenance: children under 16 (or under 20 if • Citizens Advice website they’re in approved education or • Money Advice Service training). If you make a private • the government website. arrangement you can of course continue paying after then. Always free - subscribe here
