The following information which Child Maintenance Options has provided is not a substitute for independent professional advice and users should obtain professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Child maintenance – An introduction

What is child maintenance?

Child maintenance is regular, reliable financial support that helps towards the child’s everyday living costs. Normally the parent who does not have main day-to-day care of the child (the non-resident parent) pays child maintenance to the parent who does have main day-to-day care (the parent with care). In some cases, this person can be a grandparent or guardian. But it doesn’t only have to be about money, if parents reach an agreement between themselves it can be about much more.

Why is child maintenance important?

When parents separate there are many things to think about, such as legal issues, worries about where they will live or financial problems. One of every parent’s biggest concerns is to make sure there's enough money for everything their child needs.

An effective child maintenance arrangement can make a significant difference to a child’s well-being, because it can help create a more stable environment for them and help them get the best start in life. Even small contributions can make a big difference. For example, parents may be able to afford better food, school trips or new shoes for their children.

If parents are able to work together to make a child maintenance arrangement it can also help them both stay involved in their children’s lives. Research shows that the more both parents are interested and involved in their life, the more children are likely to do well at school, stay out of trouble and develop self-esteem and healthier relationships as an adult.

The Child Maintenance Options service

What is Child Maintenance Options?

Child Maintenance Options is a service for separating and separated parents, as well as family, friends, guardians, and anyone else with an interest in child maintenance.

Child Maintenance Options will help you to find the right child maintenance arrangement for you and your child, by giving you impartial information and support.

How can Child Maintenance Options help me?

Child Maintenance Options provides information and support that will help you to:

• understand your options if you don’t already have a child maintenance arrangement or your arrangement isn’t working as well as you’d like
• help you to understand how much child maintenance you might pay or receive
• It can also help you deal with other issues linked to child maintenance, such as housing, work, money and emotional well-being - by putting you in touch with other helpful groups that offer specialist advice.

How can I get in touch with Child Maintenance Options?

The Child Maintenance Options service provides impartial information and support on child maintenance. To speak to someone today call 0800 988 0988* or visit www.cmoptions.org.

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Your child maintenance options

All separating and separated parents are free to make the arrangement that suits their circumstances.

The quickest and easiest way to make a child maintenance arrangement is usually for parents to make an agreement between themselves, without using the courts or the Child Support Agency.

A family-based arrangement between both parents (also known as a private arrangement)

To make a family-based arrangement both parents agree between themselves how much should be paid. They may also be able to include more than just money in this arrangement.

There are many other benefits, including:

It’s quick and easy to set up.

There’s little paperwork to do.

There are no set rules so you can be more flexible. For example, You can agree an amount between you If your circumstances change, your agreement can change straight away if you both agree to it.
If you agree that you would rather pay for or receive things like clothing for your child instead of money, you can.
It could also help parents work together and avoid conflict in front of their children.

Visit www.cmoptions.org.uk to access a range of free tools that will help you put a family-based arrangement in place, including:

Child Maintenance Calculator
Private agreement form
Discussion guide
People we've helped

Or, call our freephone helpline on 0800 988 0988* to talk to a consultant.

A CSA arrangement

If you feel you can’t make a family-based arrangement work, you can apply to the Child Support Agency (CSA).

You can ask the CSA to calculate child maintenance and then arrange payment with the other parent directly (Maintenance Direct). Or, you can ask the CSA to calculate an amount and then ask them to collect it from the non-resident parent and pass it on to the parent with care (full collection service).

Using the Courts

There is also the option of arranging child maintenance and enforcing payment through the Courts. They will put an official ruling in place – in England this is called a Consent Order, and in Scotland it’s called a Minute of Agreement.

However, using the courts can be expensive. Legal Aid won’t cover the costs if you are only going to court to arrange child maintenance.

For more information visit www.cmoptions.org.uk or follow this link to contact Child Maintenance Options online http://www.cmoptions.org/en/contact/contact.asp

* Calls to 0800 numbers are free from BT landlines but you may have to pay if you use another phone company, a mobile phone, or if you are calling from abroad

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