Financial support for children after divorce

Find an expert Divorce Solicitor:
Most divorcing couples will need a solicitor to take them through the whole process from the beginning to the granting of the Decree Absolute which finalises the divorce.  We can put you in touch with a local expert divorce solicitor who you could talk to about your situation.  This would be free and at no obligation.  

Sort out your Finances:
The financial aspects of a divorce are crucial to the future of you and your children.  Sorting this out especially if it involves pension rights can be very complex and adds to an already stressful situation.  We can help by putting you in touch with a local Independent Financial Adviser who you could chat to at no cost or obligation to see if you need their help and expertise.

Financial responsibility for children after divorce
Responsibility for supporting a child financially ends at seventeen or when that child leaves full time education, whichever comes later, and there is no clean break with regard to supporting a child financially as there is between a husband and wife. The non resident parent must pay for this support even where there is no contact between them and any children of the marriage after a divorce.

That is the law and although maintenance and contact are two entirely separate issues a dispute about the former can sometimes lead to problems with the latter. However, a parent who has consistent and worthwhile contact with his or her child is less likely to default on maintenance payments than one who is challenging, or being challenged, over contact arrangements.

The CSA and the children of divorced parents
Maintenance for a child can be applied for before a divorce petition is filed by applying to the Child Support Agency or a voluntary agreement can be made between parents. Once a divorce petition has been made there are, dependent on circumstances a number of different ways in which maintenance for any children can be paid. If other applications are already being made to the court any agreement between parents can be converted to a court order at the same time.