Family is great. However, unfortunately sometimes families fall apart and children get caught up in the split. Financially, it’s expensive to raise a child, which is why child maintenance exists. It is designed to ensure that the main parent taking care of the children can afford it and that both parents are still contributing towards their upbringing. Discover everything you need to know about child maintenance with our handy guide…
Child Maintenance: Everything You Need To Know…
Including everything from how much you should be paying to factors which influence it, we’ve discussed everything you need to know about child maintenance.
How Much Child Maintenance Should I Expect To Pay?
The amount of child maintenance that must be paid varies greatly depending on a number of factors. These include the amount of children, how much you earn, if there are more children from a previous relationship, if the child stays with the paying parent and for how long and so much more.
However, for example if you gain between gross £200 and £3000 a week and you’re on the basic rate for child maintenance with no shared care reductions, you’ll pay…
- 12% of your gross weekly income for one child.
- 16% of your gross weekly income for two children.
- 19% of your gross weekly income for three or more children.
How Does Shared Care Affect Child Maintenance?
If both parents share the care of the child or children, the rates for child maintenance are slightly different. For example, when the child sometimes stays with the paying parent, their payments are reduced. The amount of time the child spends with the paying parent annually affects how much their child maintenance is reduced by…
If your child spends between 52-103 nights with the paying parent, child maintenance is reduced by 1/7th per child.
If they spend between 104-155 nights, child maintenance is reduced by 2/7th per child.
For a reduction of 3/7th per child, they must stay with the paying parent for 156-174 nights.
For 175+ nights, child maintenance is reduced by 50%, plus an extra £7 reduction per each child.
What If I Already Pay Child Maintenance For Other Children?
If the paying parent already pays child maintenance for other children from a previous relationship, this is taken into account when calculating how much you should pay. You’ll receive a reduction depending on how much you earn, if you’re on the basic rate and how many other children you already have.
When Does Child Maintenance Stop?
You are expected to pay child maintenance until your child reaches 16 years of age. However, if your child then goes on to college to study further education, you are expected to pay until they turn 20.
If you need help calculating your child maintenance, do not hesitate to contact us. Our Family Law department are always happy to help.
