Lump sum maintenance?

[trailblazer42]

I'm trying to put together a prospoal for the financial split to send to my husband and I was wondering if lump sum maintenance payments are usually considered acceptable with the courts.

My DD16 lives with me full time and she will turn 18 December 2026. I can't see anything significant happening with STBX's income between now and then as he's a teacher so would expect monthly payments to remain static. I've not asked/he's not offered anything yet despite us leaving eight months ago, but I will need him to going forwards.

He has DS19 living with him and whilst he is earning it is an apprenticeship wage so not very high, and I am going to propose that I contribute (through offsetting) towards his living expenses at 50% of the amount the CMS calculates, until December 2026.

These calculations roughly come out as me paying £140 towards son, me being due £460 towards daughter so I would get £340 a month, or if we did it as a lump sum from our savings it would work out about £6000.

Do you think a court would consider this as reasonable? I'm keen to get a financial clean break and as we are planning to move house the upfront money would help us get her bedroom sorted and pay for college bus which needs to be done in advance.

At 19 - your son is considered an adult by the court and no maintenance would be payable.

If your daughter is 18 in December 2026 - child maintenance ends on the 31st August after the child turns 18, if they finish their A-levels that summer. So your EH will be responsible until then (amount depends on how many over nights he has).

It isn’t recommended for child maintenance to be paid as a lump sum as after 12 months of a consent order - either party can discharge that element and go to the CMS.

I know the court wouldn't order it for the 19 year old but he is my baby boy and I want to contribute towards his life and expenses while he's still finding his feet.

I didn't realise maintenance continued beyond 18 if she's studying so that does potentially change things as it's going to be more like two years rather than 18mths. They have no contact at the moment and I don't see that changing to the extent that she would stay with him, even if they did start communicating again.

That's given me something to think about though. I was hoping monthly maintenance would be voluntary rather than done through the courts so I can adjust for my son, or if it has to go through the court then I will just give him an allowance directly which he can use to contribute towards the household bills if his dad wants him to.

I think that you should give your son money directly. Eg petrol money to get to his apprenticeship

If your ex is charging your son digs then he might want to use your money towards that.