Even when separated or divorced, most parents will continue to have an obligation to provide financial support for their children and to cover certain costs.

Financial support for children can fall into several categories: maintenance for a child's day to day living, nursery costs, school fees, before and after school care and the costs of clothes and activities.

In the UK, how and if child maintenance should be paid by one parent to the other is largely governed by the Child Maintenance Service (previously known as the Child Support Agency).

Parents are encouraged to agree the arrangements to be put in place to maintain a child and to pay for other costs. In our experience, parents benefit from those arrangements being set out in writing in clear terms.

Our divorce lawyers and family law solicitors can advise on everything from the appropriate level of child maintenance to be paid; possible circumstance where variations to child maintenance apply; a more creative approach to child maintenance; the implications of the costs associated with parents travelling to see children; distribution of the liability for school fees and the implications of one parent living abroad.

They treated me in a sensitive way during a very difficult and emotional time. They explained everything very clearly, laying out the options and advising on what they felt was best, without pressuring me.

Chambers UK 2021

Separating or Divorcing with Children

Our team of experts provide pragmatic and sensible advice to parents on care arrangements for children and in relation to complex child law issues.

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Separating or Divorcing with Children

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Our divorce lawyers, family solicitors and mediators are personable and approachable. Our objective is to resolve matters for you as efficiently as possible, so that we can get the best outcome for you and your family.

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