What Does Child Maintenance Cover?

Child maintenance is an arrangement between two parents of a child that covers how the child’s living costs will be paid when one of the parents no longer lives with them. The non-resident parent (NRP) pays the parent with care (PWC). A child maintenance arrangement is often made at the time of the separation of the parents, but it can also be made if the parents haven’t been in a relationship.

Child Maintenance Cover is used for the following:

• Children under 16 years
• Children under 20 years who are in full-time education up to A level or equivalent
• Children under 20 years and living with a parent who is registered to receive child benefits for them

Child maintenance payments are designed to cover the child’s everyday needs, such as food, clothing, and housing. School fees are not usually covered under child maintenance, but a family-based arrangement can be created to cover this.

Yes, child maintenance typically covers clothing expenses for the child. Child maintenance is intended to help with the costs of raising a child, which includes providing essentials such as clothing, food, shelter, and education.

Hobbies are considered optional and may fall outside the scope of what child maintenance is meant to cover. While child maintenance is focused on ensuring the child’s essential needs are met, additional expenses related to hobbies and non-essential activities are usually the responsibility of the parent who wishes to provide or facilitate those activities.

If both parents agree to contribute to a child’s hobbies or extracurricular activities, they may need to make separate arrangements for funding those expenses beyond the scope of child maintenance. It’s advisable to communicate openly with the other parent and come to a mutual understanding about how such expenses will be handled.

For additional activities such as swimming lessons and other coaching, the court will look at the child’s individual needs and the standard of living of the family before deciding on additional allowance.

Gifts, such as birthday gifts, are considered optional and fall outside the scope of what child maintenance is meant to provide. While parents may choose to give gifts to their children, these are usually considered separate from the obligations of child maintenance.

If a parent wishes to provide gifts to their child beyond the scope of child maintenance, they would typically need to do so separately and independently. It’s important to communicate openly with the other parent and make sure that both parties understand the boundaries and expectations regarding gifts and other discretionary expenses.

A family-based arrangement is an agreement that parents can come to between themselves without involving a legal entity or going through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). Family-based arrangements are quite common as they provide more flexibility and cost less. However, as they are not legally binding, they offer less protection and often require the parents to be on amicable terms to agree.

If you can’t agree on an amount between you and your ex-partner, the Child Maintenance Service will calculate it for you. The CMS looks at a few factors to assess how much the non-resident parent will need to pay, which will vary from person to person. These factors include:

• Your gross weekly income
• Any benefits that you might receive
• If you are paying maintenance for any other children
• How many times a year do the children stay overnight with you

Online calculators like the government one can help you work out what a reasonable amount is if you choose to pay a voluntary amount through a family-based arrangement.

Child maintenance payments are expected until the child reaches the age of 16, or 20 if they’re in school full time doing A-levels or equivalent higher education. However, university studies are not included in this threshold. Child maintenance payments may also stop sooner if the child stops being eligible for the benefit or if a parent passes away.

Our solicitors at Grahame Stowe Bateson specialise in family law, so if you have any further questions or need any support, you can reach out to one of our team members or get in touch.