Child Maintenance continuing once 'child' goes to university

[DEK64]

Just wanted to ask others opinions or understanding.

My DP has 2 DC with his ex. He has always paid child maintenance every month without fail even though he hasn't been allowed to see the children. The oldest child is due to start university next September.

My question is ... should he still be required to pay child maintenance for both children after next year?

Thank-you

I would say he needs to give that maintenance direct to the child.

Yes, if he had stayed with his family and looked after his children himself he would still be supporting them at university.

Who hasn't 'allowed' him to see his own children?

Actually the child. NO longer lives at home and gets a grant for their needs.
Tell the mother it is stopping, what is she going to do.... Nothing as he never sees the children.

Legally no. Child maintenance ends once the child leaves full time education.
So University Not a legal requirement
College could be still classes as full time and then payments go until 21.
Working - no

Morally it’s trickier. Maybe put some money in an isa each month and then if the ever decide now they are an adult to find out what went on etc he can say I’ve been saving for you...

He hasn't seen the children due to them 'not wanting to see him', he has been through court several times to try to get access.

The mother has asked for contribution to the university costs - saying if he doesn't pay 'out of court' she will make a Schedule 1 application

Screaminginsidemeagain - he has always put money into a savings account for both children

Is the CM part of a financial order, an informal agreement, or through the CMS?

Most parents do provide money towards their children’s cost at University.

Mummy2017 - they don’t get a grant

Child Maintenance is through the CMS

Well, the CMS will end when they stop full time education up to A-Level or equivalent - so defo not university.

My DP plans that when his obligation to pay his ExW ends/they turn 18, he’ll begin giving the amount he would have been paying directly to the DCs.

Is the oldest still finishing A Levels? Is that the current situation?

Why should he automatically pay for adult offspring who now have the autonomy to get in touch with him directly, should they wish too? Morally or otherwise?

I don’t think she can make a S1 application now child is an adult. Child would have to make the application. They aren’t common. Does your DH have a very high income?

Morally - I think it’s a personal decision really. I wasn’t supported by my parents and I’d expect my children to get a job if they needed more than the uni loan paid out, same as I had to.

If they don't want to see him as adults then they won't want his money will they?

The oldest is currently doing A Levels and is planning to go to university next September

MissMalice .. no DP does not have a very high income.

I thought that many maintenance orders continued until age 21 if they are at university.
It’s irrelevant whether there is contact or not of course.

I have dc at university and it’s increfibkg expensive, the loan doesn’t even cover the cost of accommodation.

Surely the children are old enough to get in touch with their dad if they want without needing to go through their mum?

I'm a single mum and if DS goes to university I won't expect his dad to pay money to me any more but I would certainly expect him to help DS out directly with living costs just as I will have to.

He needs to pay until each is 19 if they're in full time education. If one has gone past that age but one is under I would suggest using the CMS calculator. Some parents choose to give money to their adult children at uni to help with costs but ultimately they've chosen to go to uni and presumably have a student loan. I probably wouldn't be paying for an adult child who was nc. He needs to contact the mother and inform her of a change with a date and plenty of notice. He doesn't see the kids anyway so what's he got to lose.

Once the child is 19, he doesn't have to pay.

No parent is obliged to support an adult child going to Uni.

The ex will fail.

He may choose to pay towards costs. But it's a choice.

My dad continued to pay me and my brother the equivalent of CM whilst we were at Uni. He didn't 'have' to but wanted to help out. It's fairly normal for parents to at least partially support their children when they are in full time education

No parent is obliged to support an adult child going to Uni

This is just not true! If a court order is in place, it can be until 21.

Honestly I wonder if people here describing an 18 year old as an adult are those with much younger dc.

The loan given to the 18 year old is based on the parental income, so clearly the govt is expecting a level of financial contribution.
Not all degree courses are suitable for doing alongside jobs either.

Maintence has nothing to do with contact either, they are completely separate issues.

OP no one is stopped from seeing their children when they mid to late teenagers. By that time, teenagers do what they want to do.
Maybe it’s time for your DP to try to build bridges with them rather than burn the last one down.