Asking for child maintenance for the weeks it's not 50/50?

[WhatsitWiggle]

Coming up to 2 years separated. So far it's been 50/50 arrangements. Child is nearly 16, aiming to stay in education.

So far this year, child has stayed with me for two of the weeks she was meant to be with Dad. First time to sort out a sleep issue on the advice of her therapist, second to provide support during mock GCSEs (also therapist advice).

With GCSEs in May/June, I can already see child will be with me a lot more than her Dad.

Last year, there were blocks of time in April/May where the same happened, and it meant in October/November, she then stayed with him 3 weeks out of 4 to balance the year. She hated it, but I used this time to do overseas work that I'd had to defer from earlier in the year.

I can't see child agreeing to stay with Dad for a huge block of time again. Would it be fair to ask him for money to cover these "extra" weeks? And if so, how do I work out what's reasonable?

The divorce is going through at the moment and the agreement was 50/50. But what do I do if it ends up not being 50/50 because child doesn't want to stay with him?

Work out an estimate over the course of a year what you think will be the reality. Put a claim in with cms based on that eg might fall into the average 2 nights a week or between 50-100 nights etc

How about asking the child how they want contact going forward?
As you are finalising divorce and child is under a therapist, you present childs wishes and needs. If need be get it backed up by therapist.

Your child is 16 and perhaps 50/50 isn't what she wants. She should be listened to at that age.

The 3 of you need to sit down and make a plan that works for you all.

Bear in mind that any maintrenance will stop in a couple of years anyway

Ask the DC what they want. You’ve only got less than two years of maintenance anyway