Child maintenance
For separated parents, child maintenance can sometimes be a subject that raises questions. Take a look at the options you have when it comes to arranging regular, reliable, financial support for your child, so that you can make an informed choice about what's best for you.
Your child maintenance options
Many parents worry about making sure that there's enough money for the things their child needs, especially if they're separated or bringing up a child alone. If you're a parent who's not sure where to turn for information don't despair - support is out there whatever your circumstances.
A good place to start is a service called Child Maintenance Options. It's an impartial service, made up of a helpline and a website, that can help you to understand all of the options available to you. Their agents can also put you in touch with other specialist organisations that are there to help you with the range of issues that you might be facing when you're separating or if you're already parenting apart.
You can contact Child Maintenance Options on 0800 988 0988 or visit the website at www.cmoptions.org. You can also take a look at the questions and answers below.
What is child maintenance?
Child maintenance is regular, reliable financial support that helps towards a child's everyday living costs. The parent who doesn't have main day-to-day care of the child pays child maintenance to the parent who does have main day-to-day care. In some cases, this person can be a grandparent or guardian
Why is child maintenance important?
Whilst some separations are amicable, many separating parents have to deal with feelings or practicalities that can get in the way of setting up a child maintenance arrangement. It's natural to find it tough to get over these barriers, understanding why child maintenance is so important can help to get your efforts back on track.
Regular, reliable, financial support from both parents can make a real difference to a child's well-being, both physically and emotionally. It helps towards their everyday living costs and can make a significant difference to their quality of life. It doesn't always have to be about exchanging money – providing support by paying for things like clothes or trips out can make just as much of a difference. Whatever the type of support, it can also help to boost a child's self esteem and help them to have positive future relationships with both parents.
It's really worth thinking hard about all of the different options that are available and trying to find something that works for you. We've listed some of the options below, but Child Maintenance Options can give you extra support and information if you need it.
What are my options when it comes to arranging child maintenance?
There are various ways that you can arrange to pay or receive child maintenance:
- Through a family-based arrangement between you and the other parent. This is also known as a private agreement
- Through a statutory arrangement (which just means arranging and enforcing payments through the Child Support Agency (CSA)).
- Through a court order.
Where can I find out more about my child maintenance options?
Remember, you can contact Child Maintenance Options on 0800 988 0988 or visit the website at www.cmoptions.org.
The information that Child Maintenance Options has provided on these pages is not a substitute for independent professional advice and readers should get professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.