Financial Arrangements for Children
If you are unmarried, but have children together, the parent with care is entitled to apply for maintenance for the benefit of the children from the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and you may be able to seek further financial provision from the court both on an interim and long-term basis.
If the paying party earns more than £156,000 gross per annum the court can “top up” the maintenance which can include provision for additional expenses such as nannies and school fees. This is known as a Schedule 1 Application.
FAQs
Who is entitled to child maintenance?
If one parent predominantly cares for a child i.e. the care is not shared equally, they are entitled to receive child maintenance from the other parent.
How much child maintenance will I receive?
How do I receive child maintenance?
What do I do if I think the child maintenance calculation is wrong?
The other parent is moving abroad. Do they still have to pay child maintenance?
My ex-partner earns a lot of money. Can I get more child maintenance than is calculated by the CMS?
Can I make my ex-partner pay my child’s school fees?
If we were not married, is there any further financial assistance I can obtain for my child beyond child maintenance?
Financial Provision for Children
Whilst circumstances will vary from case to case, the court can make an order that the non-resident parent provide a home for the parent with the care of the child(ren) until the youngest child reaches the age of 18 or 21.
The court can also make orders in relation to ongoing maintenance (including obtaining interim maintenance), help with childcare, school fees and provision for cars and other items for the benefit of your children.
It is also possible to make an application for assistance in paying your legal fees if you do not have the resources to pay these yourself.
Edwards Family Law has acted for many mothers and fathers in these applications, both domestically and internationally, including acting for celebrities, multi-millionaires, footballers, and even advising mothers before they give birth.
These applications (known as ‘Schedule 1 applications’) require expertise and careful strategic consideration.
Initial Consultation
During a initial consultation with our experienced divorce solicitors and family solicitors, you can expect a comprehensive discussion about divorce in the UK (England and Wales). We’ll walk you through the process of how to get a divorce, covering important topics such as the divorce application, laws on divorce and your financial rights and obligations following a divorce.
Our lawyers will provide insight into divorce law, including no-fault divorce, and help you understand the divorce process, including divorce filing and court proceedings. We’ll also discuss the cost of divorce, giving you a clear picture of what to expect financially. Our team of solicitors also can provide comprehensive legal guidance in issues such as child arrangements (also known as “child custody”), spousal support, and property division.
We’re here to assist you in every aspect of getting a divorce or family issue, making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re seeking advice on family arrangements or need guidance on a divorce consent order our experts in family law are here to help.
We endeavour to respond to all new enquiries within a few hours but sometimes with other commitments such as court hearings, that might not be possible. At most, we will get back to you within 24 hours. If you require urgent or immediate assistance, please contact the team by email contact@edwardsfamilylaw.co.uk, flagging the urgency and we will do whatever we can to assist, if proportionate and possible on the facts of your individual case.
