Child maintenance when splitting up or divorcing

Child maintenance is a financial arrangement between you and the other parent of your child.

Two facts are crucial to remember: 1.) You must have a child maintenance arrangement if your child is under 16 (or under 20 if they are still in full-time education). 2.) Both parents are responsible for the costs of raising their children, this applies even if they do not see them or have contact.

Child maintenance means considering how a child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents does not live with the child. It is made when you have separated from the other parent but can also be applicable if you have never been in a relationship together.

Child maintenance can be arranged privately between parents, if both parents agree. Family mediation can help with this. Alternatively, these agreements can be made through the Child Maintenance Service. Child maintenance payments will not affect any benefits that you and your children get and you do not need to pay tax on them.

The Child Maintenance Service can also help keep your information confidential if you do not want your child’s other parent to know your location or personal information.

You can read more about the child maintenance service at the gov.uk website, accessible through this link: https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance-service