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When relationships end, it is important to put your children first. Whether you come to a voluntary agreement or use the Child Maintenance Service, if your former partner should be making regular payments towards their living costs, we can help.
Divorce, civil partnership dissolution or separation is difficult for every member of the family, particularly children for whom the whole process can be confusing and scary. As a team of parents ourselves, our family law solicitors understand that your main priority will be to protect the welfare and happiness of your children.
We can help you sort out arrangements for children upon separation, including helping you work out Child Maintenance Payments. We will keep your children’s best interests at heart throughout your case, aiming to find a solution that works in the long-term.
Book a free first consultation for advice about children upon separation
We can provide practical advice and support across a range of children-related family law matters. Whether you have just broken up with a partner or you need help resolving an issue with a former partner, we are on hand to help.
We are happy to offer a free initial 30-minute consultation either by telephone or at our offices where we can talk you through our services and how we can help.
Free First Consultation No Hidden Costs Same Day Response
Get in touch with our child law solicitors in Cardiff, Newport or Chepstow, South Wales today for further information.
How our child law solicitors in Cardiff, Newport and Chepstow can help
When a couple breaks up, the children will usually go to live with one of their parents most of the time while enjoying regular contact with the other parent.
Child Maintenance Payments (sometimes referred to as Child Support) are regular payments made by the “non-resident” parent to the “resident” parent to contribute towards their children’s living costs.
There are three ways you can sort out Child Maintenance Payments:
- A voluntary Child Maintenance Agreement
- Using the Child Maintenance Service
- A Child Maintenance Order
We can explain each process to you in plain language so you can make an informed decision about how you want to proceed.
Voluntary Child Maintenance Agreement
This is usually the fastest way to come to an arrangement. There is no legal requirement that you make any sort of application to be able to sort out your child arrangements. You can make your agreement entirely out of court if you wish.
The only point at which you will need to involve the court is if you want to make your Agreement legally binding. In this scenario, we can apply to court for a Consent Order on your behalf. This means, if your former partner does not stick to the agreement, you can take them to court.
Amongst our family law team, Ashleigh Woodward is a member of Resolution, an organisation dedicated to promoting non-combative solutions to family law matters. We will take all possible steps to help you agree your Child Maintenance Agreement peacefully, so you can get on with your life as soon as possible.
Child Maintenance Service (CMS)
The CMS is a Government service for parents who cannot agree Child Maintenance Agreements voluntarily between themselves. The payments are calculated according to a fixed formula which takes into account factors such as your income and how many children you have.
The CMS can also take steps to track down your former partner and take action against your former partner if they fail to make payments.
Child Maintenance Order
Court Orders for Child Maintenance are only available in certain circumstances, such as:
- You cannot use the CMS because your former partner lives abroad
- Your former partner has a particularly high income and you require larger payments than can be provided under the CMS formula
Why choose our child law solicitors in South Wales?
hpjv are members of the Law Society Family Law Advanced and Children Law Accreditations for the high standards of our legal knowledge and practical experience.
Amongst our team, Jayne Chandler is a member of the Family Panel and Family Law Advanced Panel and Julianne Hamling is a member of the Law Society Child Care Panel.
Ashleigh Woodward is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family law professionals who work to minimise conflict within family law matters and promote methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution such as mediation over costly and stressful court proceedings. Ashleigh is also a member of the Young Resolution Committee.
Child maintenance FAQs
Can a solicitor help with Child Maintenance?
Yes, we can help you in a number of ways, including:
- Providing advice about the methods of making a Child Maintenance Agreement and which one is right for you
- Helping you and your former partner come to a voluntary arrangement about Child Maintenance, including helping you access Alternative Dispute Resolution methods such as mediation
- If agreeing child maintenance as part of financial proceedings upon divorce or dissolution, helping you formalise your voluntary arrangement as a legally binding Consent Order
- Helping you use the CMS
- Helping you apply for a Child Maintenance Order
When does Child Maintenance stop?
The paying parent usually has to make Child Maintenance Payments until the child turns 16, unless the child continues their education.
Do I pay Child Maintenance for a child at college in the UK?
The paying parent will usually be required to pay for a child in school or college (taking A Levels or other equivalent qualifications) until they turn 20 years old.
Does child support stop if the child gets a job?
If the child is over 16 but under 20 years old and they leave education, Child Maintenance Payments will usually stop in the September after they leave school.
Do I have to pay Child Maintenance if I don't see my child?
Parents are required to support their children even if they do not regularly see them.
If you would like advice about arranging contact with your children, please visit our Child Arrangements Orders page.
Book a free first consultation for advice about children upon separation
We can provide practical advice and support across a range of children-related family law matters. Whether you have just broken up with a partner or you need help resolving an issue with a former partner, we are on hand to help.
We are happy to offer a free initial 30-minute consultation either by telephone or at our offices where we can talk you through our services and how we can help.
Free First Consultation No Hidden Costs Same Day Response
Get in touch with our child law solicitors in Cardiff, Newport or Chepstow, South Wales today for further information.
