DadTalk

Child Maintenance – An Introduction

[The information that Child Maintenance Options has given on these pages is not a substitute for independent professional advice and readers should get professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.]

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. In some cases, this person can be a grandparent or guardian.

It doesn’t only have to be about exchanging money. You can also arrange to make ‘payments in kind’ - for example by paying for school uniforms.

You can find out more information about all of this below. 

Why is child maintenance important?

Child maintenance can make a real difference to children as it can help pay for things like clothing, food and other essentials. It can also help to keep both parents involved with their children’s lives. 

Child maintenance doesn’t only have to be about exchanging money. Providing support by paying for things like clothes or day trips can make just as much of a difference. 

Whatever type of maintenance arrangement you put in place, it’s important to remember that it can help to give a child the best start in life. 

It’s also important to remember that paying maintenance for your child is a legal responsibility. 

What are the ways to arrange child maintenance?

Over half a million families choose to make an arrangement between themselves, by agreeing with the other parent about the amount and type of child maintenance that one will pay to the other. This is known as a family-based, or family arrangement.

If you can’t agree, or if an arrangement between parents isn’t working, either you or your partner can apply to the Child Support Agency (CSA), a government agency who can set up an arrangement for you.

In some cases you can also use the courts. 

Where can I get child maintenance information and support?

As well as taking a look at the questions and answers below, you can contact a service called Child Maintenance Options. They can give you free and impartial information and support and are there to help both parents, as well as guardians, relatives and anyone concerned about a child or separated family. You can contact them on 0800 988 0988 or visit the website at www.cmoptions.org.