Do Solicitors Deal With Child Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Child maintenance can be agreed directly between the parties or through Solicitors through a family-based arrangement

.

Can I take ex to court for child maintenance UK?

If you're getting divorced or ending a civil partnership


You might be able to make arrangements for child maintenance as part of the process for ending your relationship

. You can ask the court to put this in a court order called a ‘consent order'. You can find out more about making a consent order on GOV.UK.

Can you take someone to court for child maintenance UK?

Liability order from a court


CMS can take you to court over unpaid child maintenance

. They can apply for a court order to take legal action. This is a ‘liability order'. If the court grants the order, CMS can then legal action against you.

What can I do if my ex doesn't pay maintenance?


File a Motion With the Court

If your spouse refuses to pay for no legitimate reason, you have to return to court for help. Hire an alimony attorney or file a claim on your own with the appropriate legal paperwork.

Do I still pay child maintenance if my ex remarries?

The answer is no.

When parents divorce, the absent parent (“paying parent”) is obliged by law to pay child maintenance to the parent caring for the child (“receiving parent”)

.

How many years can CSA be backdated?

If an application is made with the CSA, your responsibility to pay will start from around the time the CSA contact you.

If the child's mother had previously opened a case fifteen years ago with the CSA then they may be backdated payments owed

.

Does child maintenance include clothes?


Child maintenance covers the cost of the everyday care of the child, such as food, clothes, and housing

. Expenses such as school fees do not fall under child maintenance – parents who are getting a divorce can make a “Family Based Arrangement” to deal with costs like this.

What powers do child maintenance have?

CMS can take legal action to make you, the paying parent, pay the child maintenance you owe under the liability order. They can:

register an order with Land Registry or Registry of Deeds against your land or property

ensuring you cannot sell unless you pay what you owe from the money you make from the sale.

How much child maintenance should a father pay?

On the basic rate, if you're paying for:

one child, you'll pay 12% of your gross weekly income

. two children, you'll pay 16% of your gross weekly income. three or more children, you'll pay 19% of your gross weekly income.

How far back can I claim child maintenance UK?


There is currently no time limit for how far back CSA can claim arrears from

. So, even if you've not heard about your payments for many years, you may still receive a call or letter about it in future.

What happens if my husband does not pay maintenance?

In cases where husband fails to pay maintenance,

one may file execution proceedings

. When there is no adherence to that, there could be non bailable warrant issued in name of husband. His property could be attached, in order to recover the amount, as and when issued by court.

What happens if my ex refuses to pay child support?

Under a child maintenance arrangement, child maintenance is usually paid by the parent who does not have day-to-day care of the child or does not usually live with the child. If this payment is not forthcoming,

the receiving parent could launch a civil legal claim

.

How does child support work if the mother has no job?

If the mother who isn't working is the non-custodial parent, the same general rule applies —

if the courts determine that income and assets of the mother are sufficient to meet the increase request, and the increase would benefit the child, they may approve the change in support.

Does marriage affect child maintenance?

Whether or not you have remarried, or your ex-partner has remarried,

does not affect the obligation to continue paying child maintenance

.

Can I go after my ex husband's new wife for child support UK?


There are no grounds for reducing child maintenance on the basis that your ex-wife is living with a new partner

. Your obligation to pay child maintenance continues regardless of your ex-wife's circumstances.

Do I have to pay half the mortgage and child maintenance?

Married:

If you are married to the child's parent then it does not matter who owns the family home

. If the child support does not cover the mortgage payments and household bills, your ex-spouse could apply for spousal maintenance.

How long does it take for CSA to contact the father?

You will usually get a response from CMS about your application for Child Maintenance within six weeks. However, it can take

up to 26 weeks

if there is a problem with contacting the paying parent.

What happens if a paying parent doesn't pay child maintenance?

Under a child maintenance arrangement, child maintenance is usually paid by the parent who does not have day-to-day care of the child or does not usually live with the child. If this payment is not forthcoming,

the receiving parent could launch a civil legal claim

.

Do I have to pay child maintenance if I'm not on the birth certificate?

If an unwed father is not listed on the birth certificate, he has no legal rights to the child. This includes

no obligation to paying child support

and no rights to visitation to custody or child support. If no father is listed on the birth certificate, the mother has sole legal rights and responsibility of the child.

Do I have to pay child maintenance if it's 50/50 Custody UK?


If you have shared care for at least 52 nights a year, you don't need to pay any child maintenance

.

Does child maintenance cover swimming lessons?

As well as the bare necessities,

child maintenance can cover

; childcare. activities like swimming lessons.

Can child maintenance be backdated?

All in all,

child maintenance can be backdated for a long period

, but there's no definitive answer as to how long. Essentially, it depends on the individual case and circumstances, and it might mean going to court to resolve the situation.

Can bailiffs force entry for child maintenance?

A liability order does not give a bailiff the right to force entry to your home on initial entry. For child support or council tax debts,

enforcement agents can force entry if they are re-entering to inspect or remove goods which have been taken into control

.

How much is child support in the UK?

Gross weekly income Rate Weekly amount Unknown or not provided Default £38 for 1 child, £51 for 2 children, £61 for 3 or more children Below £7 Nil £0 £7 to £100, or if the paying parent gets benefits Flat £7 £100.01 to £199.99 Reduced Calculated using a formula
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David Martineau
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