Should We Still Pay Maintenance?

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Should We Still Pay Maintenance?
Miss V.L asks

My stepson is 17 years old and is working whilst also studying at college. He recently moved out of his mother's house and in with his girlfriend. Should we (his dad and myself) still pay maintenance? If so, who do we pay it to and what happens if he decides to move back in with his mother?

Who has to pay child maintenance?

When parents separate or divorce, both still have a financial responsibility towards their children. The parent who does not live with the child most of the time is usually expected to pay child maintenance to the parent who does.

This duty applies until the child turns 16, or up to 20 if they remain in full-time education up to A-level or equivalent. If a child marries before 18, the obligation to pay maintenance typically ends, though court orders may specify different terms.

Child maintenance exists to make sure both parents contribute fairly to the costs of raising their child. It covers everyday expenses like food, clothing, housing and other essentials.

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How child maintenance can be arranged

There are three main ways to set up child maintenance in the UK:

  • A family based arrangement, where parents agree between themselves on the amount and payment schedule
  • Through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), which can calculate and collect payments
  • By court order, which is typically used for cases involving international elements or higher income families

Many parents manage to reach their own agreement without involving the CMS. This approach can be more flexible and avoids fees. You can also use the CMS online calculator to work out a fair amount, then base your private arrangement on that figure.

Mediation services offer another option. A trained mediator can help you and your former partner reach an agreement without formal intervention from the CMS or courts.

If one parent is unwilling to pay or you cannot agree on an amount, the CMS can step in to assess what should be paid. The Child Support Agency (CSA) no longer handles new cases. All child maintenance cases now go through the CMS.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How the CMS calculates payments

When the CMS calculates child maintenance, it considers several factors. The paying parent's gross weekly income is the starting point. This figure usually comes directly from HMRC records.

The calculation also takes into account:

  • How many children the maintenance covers
  • How many nights the child stays with the paying parent
  • Whether the paying parent has other children living in their household

If the child spends a significant number of nights with the paying parent, this can reduce the amount owed. The CMS uses set rates and percentages, which you can check on GOV.UK for current figures.

Where one parent lives abroad, different rules may apply. The CMS can only deal with cases where the paying parent lives in the UK. For international cases, you may need legal advice or court involvement.

When circumstances change

Child maintenance can be subject to change. If your situation shifts, the amount may need adjusting.

Common reasons for reassessment include a change in income, variations in the child's overnight stays with either parent, or a new child joining the paying parent's household. Either parent can ask the CMS to look at the case again if circumstances have genuinely shifted.

You should report changes promptly. Failing to do so can lead to arrears building up or payments being set at the wrong level.

If you have a private arrangement and one parent stops paying, you may be able to apply to the CMS for help. There are fees for using the CMS collection service, so evaluate whether this is the right option for your situation.

For the most accurate and current information on child maintenance rates, how to apply, and what to do if payments stop, visit GOV.UK or contact the Child Maintenance Service directly.

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Ask Law and Parents a Question
LawAndParents Editor 23/05/2026 at 9:17 am
@Gossy The simplest route is to ask the Child Maintenance Service directly, as they can confirm whether the case is still active based on the son's education status. Maintenance usually stops at 16, or up to 20 if the child remains in approved full time non advanced education like A levels or college. If your partner pays through the CMS, they should ring them on 0800 171 2345. If it's a private arrangement, he can ask the mother for proof of enrolment.
Gossy 01/05/2024 at 3:53 pm
How does my partner find out if his son is still in full time education? His son will be 17 in October. He has been paying a lot of money each month for years. Thanks
Blade 2004 19/03/2024 at 12:35 pm
Hi,my daughter is I'm still studying but working as well so my question is do I still keep paying Child maitenance,it has been very hard path for us all mostly because of nature of my daughters mother.
Anyway so my question is do I still pay?
How do I find out if she is in full time education as I have been said my ex doesn't need to prove anything and they will take her word for it which totally redicilous.
KL 20/01/2024 at 8:10 pm
If my 17 yr old is in college and now has a baby of there own do I still have to pay maintenance for him?
Baris 06/01/2024 at 6:24 pm
My son is be coming 18years old. He is at highschool.He has a job in McDonald and works at least 3 shifts a week. . I’m struggling to paying his support .I asked her about . I can't a afford anymore. I ask her she said.
“we need it as we are paying mortgage at the moment” . They lied to me about seeing my kids 16 years ago I'm not signed agreement I'm not allowed to see my kids again said my ex She is marriage now
I should do?
Grash 15/12/2023 at 9:53 am
My son is 18years old. He is at college and then to uni. He has a job in pub and works at least 3 shifts a week. (He’s more mine than all of us) his mum and new husband have moved into a new house but still not sold his. I’m begrudgingly paying his support as he’s hardly home and her reply to me was “we need it as we are paying two mortgages at the moment” ??.
They moved away from his college and job so when he works 2-3 nights a week he stays at my mums. This is random nights as he doesn’t know his shift till the weekend.
It just gets to me that I am paying one of her mortgages. I’d sooner give the money to my son.
Never missed a payment in 17 years.
Discardedfather 13/12/2023 at 7:53 pm
In 2009 my daughter was born. Her mother (my ex) is quite the piece of work, she excluded me from the very start. She ended our relationship whilst she was pregnant and told me never to contact her, when I did attempt to maintain contact she used to go mad and threaten to call the police and all sorts.
I found out in 2009 when my daughter was born from a friend who found out on facebook. I then attempted contact as I wanted to be a father to my daughter. I had to initiate contact through a solicitor, at first by mediation which she refused to attend stating that 'it was too early for me to have any contact with my daughter as she was a newborn'.
So I initiated court proceedings. Not long later I had some guys cornering me on the street threatening me and they seemed to know about me taking my ex to court. Although I can't prove it was her who got them onto me I can't see how else?
I was mentally and emotionally battered and at this point scared too, so I cancelled court proceedings. Seven months later I managed to get my ex to let me have contact with my daughter (all arranged between ourselves and not through court or solicitors) I gave her £100 in cash which was completely off the record, and I told her that I would like to arrange regular payment and access etc... I also told her that I wanted my name on my daughters birth certificate, which she went completely mad at the situation and refused to have me added to it, as she stated that would give me parental responsibility and rights. I got to see my daughter once more after this and then my ex refused to let me have anymore contact. I kept trying to arrange more visits and I made several different offers of child maintenance that were more than what she would have received if we had used cms and I would have paid her direct, but she refused all of them. I asked her at this point if she actually wanted me to be involved in our daughters life, to which she replied this.... 'if you're only prepared to pay for her on your terms then no'
At this point I made the only choice that I could make for my daughter which was to not be there for her as it would give her the most stable upbringing without me in the picture, as my ex would constantly do whatever she could to alienate me entirely.
My concern is now that my estranged daughter is going to be 16 in about 18 months, will my ex be able to take me to court to chase 16 years of missed maintenance off me? (bearing in mind that no formal maintenance plan was ever agreed to between ourselves as she rejected all of my offers) I worry because this is the sort of despicable act she would attempt as she is financially driven and I think that to her our daughter is a financial opportunity. She never wanted me to have access to my daughter but at the same time I bet that she would still have liked maintenance too, but she refused my offers because she did not want to give me any access rights. So could she now pull this by contacting me and requ
Happydad 12/12/2023 at 12:13 am
Hello.
I paid private arrangement for daughter, 16/17 while I worked abroad. She was unhappy at her mums/ stepdads who are in next village. She asked and I agreed for her to move home, with her boyfriend and I ceased maintenance , £900/month, and instead paid all her expenses while she lived in our comfortable home. This arrangement was Aug - Oct when we returned home, she spent a few weeks with her mum, but every weekend at our home. My ex has raised a CMS claim for arrears. £1570, 5 weeks worth I have dispute the case in writing but I think the decision will be based on what CMS define as primary carer. I pay for her mediacla cover, mu and I are both contacted for school issues , we were 50/50 share before I moved abroad. I calculate , based on arrears calc, I could be due to pay about £600 based on a new mandatory recalculation £294/week. I have offered to pay £900.

So question is, what defines primary care in this situation? She was living in my home, I was paying directly to my daughter?
Artificial Ignorance 09/12/2023 at 4:24 pm
my daughter is 17 and does a couple of days at college but also works full time and earns over £600 a month do i have to still pay maintenance ?
Albert 25/11/2023 at 7:52 am
Hi, I’ve been paying child support for my children for the past 8 years. My oldest child is now 19 and my second child is 17. Both of them were supposed to be home schooled. They are both working and neither is attending any form of formal education.

Their mother is claiming that payment is to be made until they reach the age of 20 as they are both in ‘further education’.

Is the onus the mother to prove they are still undertaking further education or on myself to prove they are not?

A more difficult situation I appreciate as they have been home schooled hence the reason for my seeking advice.

Thanks in advance
Na 14/11/2023 at 7:40 pm
My partner is still paying maintenance for his daughter is now 17 and at college however she is now pregnant therefore when she has had the baby does he still need to pay CSA? She does plan to go back to college once baby is born
vic 14/10/2023 at 4:13 pm
my son has moved out and my ex has stopped his cms payments can he do this
Steviec 06/10/2023 at 5:55 pm
My ex wife cancelled closed the cms file for maintenance 3 years ago,stating that she didn't want my money. Suddenly she's reopened it. My daughter is 16 in November and hasn't attended school for 4 years. She won't be attending higher education. So my question is,what is the point?
Nate 16/08/2023 at 10:01 pm
My son turned 18 in march and was attending collage, now he's got a part time job working eight hours a day four days a week and he starts university in september do i still have to pay maintenance for him because i recently found out that now he's working he's being charged board by his mother. I also have a daughter that has just left high school and going in to sixth form which i understand i still have to pay for her. Me and their mother used to go through csa before it changed and we both agreed on the set monthly payments would keep going.
Gareth Hughes 01/08/2023 at 6:47 am
Ok soo looking for advice I’m the paying parent and not paying is an issue I have always paid my way

I’m a military personnel my annual review has just come in and gone up by £100 there in my eyes is a few things that are not being taken into consideration and need advice if this will actually change in what’s happening

1. My taxable income I was assessed on my earnings for last year which was more than my annual salary due to me being overseas my annual income is £36,000 but was £40,000 last year

2. My child is actually in boarding school (full time) so my ex doesn’t have him mon-fri and some weekends herself

3. And final one is every year it magically appears that I’m in arrears this year was £400 this happens every year the amount varies and every year I get my bank statements send them of like where is this coming from I pay on time the set amount every month and this always happens

4. I can’t physically have my son like most civilian fathers due to work and going away like does this get taken into consideration

5.I have debts I need paying that along with cost of living a Jump by £100 a month is ridiculous

It’s getting to the point it feels like the system is against me doesn’t matter what I do and becoming a joke I can’t win
Duncan 24/07/2023 at 4:32 pm
My son is 19 next month and my case was closed in February this year . I have as of today been told that a new case has been applied for and now I will have to start paying child maintenance again for the next two years . Is this allowed ?
Bren 22/06/2023 at 4:37 pm
My son has been looking after his daughter because her mum broke her foot even though he is feeding and doing everything for his child at my house dose he still have to pay my grandaughters mother maintenance every week that he has his daughter.
Bren 22/06/2023 at 4:36 pm
My son has been looking after his daughter because her mum broke her foot even though he is feeding and doing everything for his child at my house dose he still have to pay my grandaughters mother maintenance every week that he has his daughter
Andy 15/06/2023 at 12:00 pm
Hi my daughter has just finished a college course which she has been doing from home and not attending college at all not sure what she is studying as it's all top secret from her mother what exactly she is doing and how many hours but just been informed she has finished course and has to enroll again in September do I still continue payments on csa
Sinbad 06/06/2023 at 8:47 am
My Ex has lived in my house we’re I’ve paid the Mortgage for the last 24yrs. Since I moved out in 2009 and through mediation the house is up for sale . It’s not in the court order but she’s still perusing me for Child Maintance ? But the CMA have never persuade myself for what I don’t own . I’ve always given reason why and yet my ex wife still thinks she is entitled to money I didn’t have which I gave evidence to the CMA . What can I do ?
Charlie 28/03/2023 at 11:32 am
My daughter is 18 in May this year she was on a college course that started back in September and finished 1/2 way through January of this year doing 5 hours at college and 2 days voluntary work which meant it was qualifying course of full time education I have been paying maintenance but should I pay as she is doing nothing no job and no college can I stop maintenance?
Antonance 24/03/2023 at 6:17 am
My daughter is 18 and left 6th fork last august
My ex has told me I still need to pay for her as she has took out a 6month extension saying she might go back to college
I have notified cms and told them all this and explained that she is now also working in primark and not planning on going back to any sort of education
To which they havnt replied
So I stopped my payments and now I have a letter saying I have to pay and now on top there charging me 20% to collect ect

This is wrong I’ve never missed a payment for her since the break
And now I’m being told I still have to pay and being charged
Heads battered with it all
LMW 22/03/2023 at 9:41 pm
My step daughter and step son have both had babies in the last month! One is 17 18 later this year and the other is 18 19 later this year. Now that they have become parents themselves does my husband still have to pay for them?
Ted 14/02/2023 at 1:19 pm
I've got a question. My son is 16 1/2 years old. He is doing a 10 hour a week engineering course at college, and has just got a part time job of approx 21 hrs a week. Ive never missed a child payment, spend lots of time and money on him. But I've decided to stop maintenance payments now. Do I have to continue to pay as my ex wife is insisting?
Lotty 03/02/2023 at 11:20 am
When do I stop paying child maintenance for my daughter who is currently 19 years old, DOB:- 21/10/2023. Apparently she is still in receipt of child benefit & is full time education?
Bran 19/12/2022 at 2:59 pm
If my daughter left education went to work, then decided to go back into college. Do I still need to pay maintenance she is 17
Dolly123 27/10/2022 at 10:22 pm
Some of these comments are disgusting. Dads so desperate to stop payments to their child’s mother, because they are doing higher education but have a low paid weekend job! The maintenance does not go into their mums pockets so she can go and have her hair done and go in a jolly up with her mates! Your responsibilities to support your child do not end when your children leave school & get a job, it’s a life long commitment.
Nicky 14/10/2022 at 11:55 am
My son is now 18 and I pay child maintenance every 4 weeks. He is in college but also works at weekends. Do I continue paying? Thanks in advance.
Betty 24/09/2022 at 3:58 pm
My son is 18 and is in full time education and has a part time job of 12 hours a week contract , although sometimes he does extra hours. Is his father still eligible to pay child maintenance or does it automatically stop. Thanks
Lee 14/09/2022 at 4:59 pm
My step son is 19 in December he is doing his level 3 building course in college 12 hours a week. And has a well paid job part time 24 hours, do we still need to pay maintenance?
Tom 01/09/2022 at 5:59 pm
My son turns 18 in Oct he has left school this year and started college but only goes 1 day per week. His mum says his course is still classed as full time education as he is expected to study and do work the days he is not physically attending college.

My daughter turns 17 in Oct and has also left school this summer and started a college course 2 days per week.

Both courses are below A level standard.

Both are in Scotland is there a difference in the rules between Scotland and England.

Should I still be paying maintenance each month and is it the same amount or should that have changed when they left school
Pablo 06/08/2022 at 11:50 am
Folks the age of an adult is not 18 it’s 20 do not get fooled by payments stopping at 16 or 18 , sometimes they will stop if the young adult decides to get off their butt and work, however in most cases the mother will convince the young person not to do higher education or work more than 24 hours a week. If the young person does nothing but stay at home then the mother will continue to get both child benefit and child maintenance, it’s a no brainer the money is to sweet .
Aharve 18/07/2022 at 6:57 pm
My daughter is 17 nearly 18 going into her second year at college and works more than 12 hours a week in retail- do we legally have to keep paying maintenance ? We know she pays her mum board and contributes to a bill each month
Nimmy 04/07/2022 at 6:16 pm
My partners son left 6th form in April and is currently part time working. His ex is now saying because he does not officially leave school till July 19th we should still be paying his child maintenance. Please could you advise as so very unclear the boundaries to this.
John 22/06/2022 at 11:55 am
Hi my daughter is 18 of April this year. Just finished college and now has a full time job. When does my maintenance stop ? And if she decides in September to go to uni or college does my payments reignite ?
Mama bear 10/06/2022 at 12:04 pm
Hi, my child is leaving school in July and is hoping to go into Army training. I understand that when my child passes out after training maintenance will stop but I’m unsure if the other parent still has to pay maintenance whilst said child is in training? Any advice is gratefully received
Kate6 21/04/2022 at 3:52 pm
Hi
My partner currently pays maintenance for his 18 year old daughter, she will turn 19 in May, she has said she intends to do a catering course at college, but with her school attendance now being 50% we think it’s highly likely she will drop out or get kicked out by Christmas. At that point, does he need to continue to pay maintenance?
Hoolie 24/03/2022 at 7:52 am
My partner’s daughter left school after GCSE’s and got a job. She has subsequently left this role after 6 months. She is looking for employment but so far unsuccessful. Her mother is now insisting she returns to college in September this year by which time she us 17.5 years old. Does my partner have to resume maintenance payments?

Unsure of what college course she will be able to study as her gcse results were not great. A levels are definitely not an option. level 1 courses maybe an option.
Thank you
Dazler 22/03/2022 at 11:06 am
Hi there
My girlfriends children still live with thier dad with no access. Unfortunately the 18yr old has moved out due to unacceptable behaviour by dad. ( she is being looked after by council in a nice place) CMS seem reluctant to do anything about changing payment to dad even though she no longer lives there and it seems it’s his word against ours bizarrely. CMS are quick to get involved but as soon as it gets a bit complicated they do very little very slowly.
Thank you
Hobo 01/03/2022 at 5:09 pm
My daughter is leaving college in July when she will be 18 and going into full time work whilst still living with her mother and will also be studying to go into nursing , do I have to still pay child maintenance?
Magoou 10/11/2021 at 7:05 pm
Hi my daughter has decided to move in with her dad. She has turned 16 & has decided to leave school. And is starting a Bernardo's apprenticeship. She will be getting payed £55 per week. Her dad thinks I should pay him maintance. At CSA levels for her. Her brother is 14 & still lives at home & their dad pays the minimum amount of CSA maintance for him. But my ex husband wants to deduct CSA for my daughter on the amount he pays for our son. I have had to go very PT as our son has ADHD & has had to go to home schooling
Matk 13/10/2021 at 2:07 pm
My sons are not doing further education studying for a levels but one is doing catering and other doing building at college the older one turns 18 in November and is living with his girlfriends mother. Do I have to still pay maintenance even thoe he isn't living at his mums house
Lilly 07/10/2021 at 8:24 pm
My 18 year old as move out and moved in with his dad.
My son is now doing a Btec course in sport and my ex husband is trying to claim maintenance.
Do I need to pay when I was paying for my son to go college the past year when he wasn’t even going. I was paying him £50 a week but he wasn’t going college.
His dad wasn’t hardly paying me anything and child maintenance was only getting it now and again.
So cause my 18 year old son as moved in with his dad and now doing a sports course his dad is trying to get maintenance off me. do I need to pay maintainace
Dawnie 06/10/2021 at 10:12 am
My son is 17 n decided to drop out of college, he's not working at the moment but due to start a part time job soon. Am I entitled to still get child maintenance from his dad?
Anthony 26/09/2021 at 8:44 pm
My step daughter is almost 18 but still in full time education but works part time and makes very little money, does her dad still have to pay maintenance for her ?
Blinx 16/09/2021 at 9:02 pm
Hi have 3 step kids. Their real dad has never paid a penny.
Now their teen agers they expect everything for doing nothing in return and are rude generally unpleasant.
Their dad has not seen them for 9 years but their nan (his mum) has been.
Because we discipline them and won't give them everything they want for nothing they want to live with her.
Is a really long story but their nan has poisoned them against us, told lies to child services which qe've been cleared of all accusations and now they still want to leave when they're 16. Their nan live in a horrible area and my wife and I don't think they should go. Are we liable to pay CMS payments even though we won't agree to them going, we can't stop them when they're 16 but I don't see why I should pay for them when their real dad never has, where to I stand?
Complex 13/09/2021 at 7:49 pm
Two children are involved, aged 17 and 15, soon to be 18 and 16. The agreement is not through CMS, it's between the divorced parties.
The 17 year old is on a college course which is apparently equivalent to A-Levels and plans to continue onto another year of this so he'll be almost 19 when completed. His mum also has had her long-term partner move into the household and he's been there for over a year now. Non-resident parent lives in Canada and would love to be able to have the children over more frequently when travel allows again, however whilst still paying maintenance this is difficult with the expense involved.
Questions are - does the non-resident parent continue paying for the 18-year old who is on a full-time college diploma course? (Working part-time also) & do payments usually change when the resident parent starts co-habiting?
Ally 11/09/2021 at 1:19 pm
My daughter has moved out of her mums house and into her own flat...do I still have to pay maintenance to her mother or should it go to her directly
Mike 04/09/2021 at 10:11 am
Hi
my daughter is 18 in October she has complete one year of collage but dose not want to do any more she has not got a job yet . She is my last dependent child Can I stop paying child management payments as of September ( I've payed Sept )
Regards Michael
Marco 01/09/2021 at 7:15 pm
My daughter is 16 and has left school, she started a full time job 31/8/2021, she has to work a month in hand, her mother is demanding I pay 1 more month maintenance to cover the month in hand and is threatening me with getting in touch with CSA over payments from many years ago, would the CSA get involved with this and do I need to cover the month in hand
sharks 01/09/2021 at 4:04 pm
my daughter turned 18 in may 2021.she has finished school and has applied for a makeup course,i presume this is not further education as it is just a year long course which costs 600 euro?At the moment I pay 388 euros a month maintenance, she also has a part time job which she has been doing for the last year or so, she has been made up junior manager and earns approximately 1000 euros a month, she will continue to work while on her course,
so question is ! do I still have to maintenance for her?
Anj 12/08/2021 at 7:06 pm
If my step daughter has left school and is going to start army college ( where they are paid a substantial amount each week)at Harrogate does my other half still have to pay maintenance?
Big A 09/08/2021 at 7:53 pm
My daughter currently spends 7 Australian with me and then her mum 50/50. I paid £300 a month maintenance and her mother reduced it to £200 per. According to the Gov U.K. website I should be paying a lot less. Our original maintenance was set as a voluntary arrangement through solicitors. I would never see my daughter go without but feel that my ex wife is taking me for granted. What are the rules for 50/50?
Bob 07/08/2021 at 10:44 am
My son is 17yrs old and attending Military Preparation Training Collage (MPTC), I understand that he does get payed for attending this ? £30-£50 per week, including holidays. My question is, do I still have to pay maintenance to my ex?
cassa 05/08/2021 at 11:31 pm
My son turns 18 this month on August 24. He is a technology course doing barbering and works two days a week in a barbers salon. He earns £50 from his course plus £125 from his work experience. Do I still have to pay child maintenance? Thanks
M 23/07/2021 at 4:10 pm
This is a strange situation I feel like WW3 has come. Have been looking for my children for 15 years. The mother of my children is from another continent & decided instead of honouring the court's verdict in shared responsibility she disappeared with them. Searching high & low I found them this year. I've been paying maintenance for 16 years. One of my daughters told be she cannot get a license due to her not being a uk citizen. Now this is news to us all, the mum sorted out her asylum however did not do it for the children. One was off to uni in sept..unfortunately this won't happen. Banned from using NHS, opticians, work & have a payroll number, travel, go to a port, obtain a passport etc. She has more in benefits than my annual net wages. My £450 a month I'm paying should be reduced as no one in their household is working.
N/A 13/07/2021 at 10:47 am
When does child maintenance stop.

Boy 19
Girl 18
Boy 16
Boy 15
stevie connolly 27/06/2021 at 3:52 pm
I have a private arrangement with my ex wife regards money for my daughter. After her leaving uni approx 18 months and getting a job I discussed that the payments stopped .My ex wife was in agreement and payments ended .Now my daughter has quit her job due to anxiety and looking to back to college .Would any payments have to be restarted ? My daughter is 19 20 in January.
Chesh 11/06/2021 at 8:33 am
Due to the COVID situation and exams being marked by teachers, my son finished attending further education college in May, although officially term ends on 25th June. Should I continue to receive child maintenance payments until September or should they now stop?
Dad 08/06/2021 at 9:42 am
Hi, my daughter turned 18 in March and has now finished school after doing A-levels and now is working, do maintenance payments stop now or in September?
Many thanks
The non adulterous p 26/04/2021 at 4:11 pm
My son's A Level course finishes at the end of May and he's going away to university later this year. I've been paying £446.34 a month to her for him since she left me for an ex milkman over 2 years ago. When can I stop paying maintenance is it at the end of may as he no longer studies 12 hours a week or in September when his child support payments end?

Thanks.
BRB 22/04/2021 at 9:37 am
My husband says that when we sorted out our divorce and settlement agreement the rent he was paying on alternative accommodation should have been taken into account as I have remained in the family home. E.G. when the house is sold he should have got a bigger share of the money to allow for the rent he has paid in order to live elsewhere for several years. Is this true?????
JJ 22/04/2021 at 9:30 am
Hi,

My husband says that as soon as our eldest reaches 18 he is going to stop paying maintenance, and on our settlement agreement it says he only has to pay until the children turn 18. However the child concerned intends to go to university - is it correct that he no longer has to provide any support to the child in that instance? I don't mind if he no longer pays the money to me, but directly to our child, but it seems wrong that he can just stop providing any support at all?
Claireabelle 20/04/2021 at 5:54 pm
My sons final a level exams finish at the end of May. Is this when my maintenance payments will stop or is it when he is nlonger on roll?
Cat 30/03/2021 at 7:18 am
My granddaughter has left home she is 16
Does her father still have to pay maintenance to her mother
Zaz 21/03/2021 at 11:59 am
My daughter is 21 and training to be a nurse now after various other attempts and roles with training constantly changing her mind what she wants to do, I don’t have contact so only know what I’m being told . When can I legally finally stop paying maintenance. Im not even on the birth certificate.
Waz 16/03/2021 at 8:02 pm
My so is 21 lives with his mum tells everyone he wishes i was dead. I have new partner of over ten years been paying out of our benifits ESA as we're both Sick he is no longer in education. I used to pay her cash for years before CSA were involved now suddenly getting letter s about arrears our claim is in my partner s name not mine and there is no end date to the payments what can I do he was 21 on February 26th this year please can you advise me. Thank you w Allen
IVETA BAUZE 06/03/2021 at 4:14 pm
Hi,
I hope you can help me with this
My husband has son from ex girlfriend in Latvia , we live in Ireland
he paid maintenance util child is 19,then child start feeling like he is adult now, said to father do not control his life , my husband was very upset and stopped payment, to said son , if you are adult protect your self,child is now 20 year old working and still looking for payments , send my husband to court now , we have 3 small kids not even teen, why we have to support child who now working, young man do not wont respect father , but still looking for his money , something wrong with system , I was working myself when I was 18 year old and still and study in university and didn't ask my parents for even one penny, now kids just looking for money.
Creeky 23/02/2021 at 8:12 pm
My daughter is 18 and just started full time work. Do I still need to carry on child maintance payments.
Mum 04/02/2021 at 1:30 pm
My son is 17. There is a court order in place for his father to pay maintenance. My son has now started working. The payments have stopped. Can he stop the payments if a court order is in place?
Linny 16/12/2020 at 8:36 am
My granddaughter lelf school in Sept and has a part time job.my maintenance stop.if she starts up college now.would I have to start paying maintenance again.she is 17 and will be 18 in may 2021
Macca 13/12/2020 at 3:59 pm
My son is 18 and at college 15hrs per week doing a basic plumbing course and English,do I still need to pay his child maintenance to my ex or does the payments finish now he’s 18
Vicky 09/12/2020 at 2:40 pm
I'm 21 years old and I'm at college studying and my maintenance support has stopped because my father reached his retirement years, and my mother does not have a permanent job, I want to know if I qualify to get a portion of money from his retirement money .
Henry 07/12/2020 at 11:50 pm
I am paying support on 6 children of which the youngest is 21 years of age. They are all on their own now . They have jobs and none have pursued higher education. They range from 21 years - 28 years old . Why is it N.Y. state just keeps on taking my money . There are no arrears or payments owed and it is 3 years since the youngest turned 18 and has been employed since he was 17. The oldest passed away December of 2019 . How do I end this without traveling 40 miles to Oswego County family court ? I am permanently 100% disabled and traveling even a few miles is extremely difficult for me . This should have ended 3 years ago and being on a fixed income with full physical custody of my 2 daughters 12 and 16 years old from another marriage this isn't helping us at all.....
LittleJohn 05/12/2020 at 10:27 pm
Hi, my son is 16 and in full time education at collage. He's also working 20 hours a week and staying with me when working. This means he's staying at mine at least three nights a week. Should I still be paying csa?
Gaz 03/12/2020 at 11:47 pm
My 16 year old child dropped out college 2 months ago. They are not doing anymore further eduction and they do not have a job. Do I still have to pay child maintenance.
Kerry 01/12/2020 at 3:47 pm
My partner was informed beginning of the year that his son had quit college and got a job but also quit that, his mother was telling him to apply for college again, if he has gone back to college (he's 18) does my partner need to start paying again?
Fredthered1 26/11/2020 at 10:02 am
Hello. My daughter is 17 in December, she has left School and wants to be a Fitness trainer. She has secured a place in a fitness college in Manchester where she goes for two half days mon and Tuesday. She has also managed to get a job at McDonald’s working 3 days a week. What happens to the maintenance I pay, does it stop.
cvs 18/11/2020 at 8:37 pm
My partner currently pays maintenance for his son.
Laws of now changed and said children have to stay in school until they’re 18 .
so do you pay maintenance if they’re in a special needs school so between age 16-18 6th form he won’t do higher education he can go to college and do life skills.
It’s confusing what is the legal age is it 16 or is it 18 if in school and he won’t be doing any 6th form of higher education .

can his ex mothers of his so. keep making him do courses untill he 21 to get more maintenance?
Its gray area i’m different solicitors give different advice
cvs 18/11/2020 at 8:36 pm
My partner currently pays maintenance for his son.
Laws of now changed and said children have to stay in school until they’re 18 .
so do you pay maintenance if they’re in a special needs school so between age 16-18 6th form he won’t do higher education he can go to college and do life skills.
It’s confusing what is the legal age is it 16 or is it 18 if in school and he won’t be doing any 6th form of higher education .

Also can his ex keep making him doo courses untill he 21 to get more maintenance?
Its gray area
Lee 16/11/2020 at 3:05 pm
My daughter is 17 and expected a child in Feb 2021 I am still required to pay child maintenance for my child although she will be claiming for her child?
Mash 15/11/2020 at 11:17 pm
My daughter has turned 18 and only doing 3 hours a week at college. I've spoken to csa and they say I have to pay until she is 21. But everything I have read up on online say under 12 hours education a week I dont need to pay. Can anyone help me this this please.
Rick 14/11/2020 at 7:10 pm
My son is 18, he goes to college for 2 days a week doing a diploma in fitness training, does this qualify me the father still paying child maintenance?
Bigjohn 10/11/2020 at 8:07 pm
Hi, my son is 18 and currently in college although he’s dropping out in 2 weeks as he’s entering the Royal Navy. Do I still pay maintenance after he’s entered the navy?
Beth 07/11/2020 at 4:31 pm
If the children temporarily go and live with non residential parent due to the residential parents ill health needing surgery and other treatment, can the non residential parent stop paying the thr agreed amount per month.
GMC 06/11/2020 at 6:18 pm
My Brother in Law found out he had a daughter when she was already 13 years of age, from then he has been paying an agreed maintenance amount agreed by both parents, upon trying to build a relationship with his daughter, both daughter and mother said he would have to buy that right and proceeded to shut him out of their lives. His daughter is now 19 and is still in education but he has received a letter stating that they want more money for the final year of payments, my Brother in laws current situation thanks to covid is that he now lives with me and my wife and has just started a new job. Any advice?
Juan 06/11/2020 at 11:17 am
I have three kids. 1 is 19 at college. She has her own accommodation and a part time job. The other two are 17 and studying for A level. They will be 18 in January next. How long do I keep paying maintenance for. Thanks in advance for your help
Kevin
Nan 05/11/2020 at 2:57 pm
My child turn 18 recently and she is still at 6th form collage, should I still get maintenance for her off my ex?
Matt 05/11/2020 at 7:47 am
My 15 year old son has not been going to school since he was 14 and after lots of effort he refused to do any school work although still under the care of his school and so am I still responsible for child maintenance payments ??
Jim 02/11/2020 at 11:13 am
My girlfriend's son is 17 and going to college for a bricklayer course for about 18 hours a week and workin 24 hours a week. Is she still entitled to C.S.A.? Thanks
Smithy 31/10/2020 at 6:18 am
My child has started university and is meant to be in halls, but is studying and living from her mothers house due to COVID do I still pay as I thought once she started uni I don’t need to pay her mother any more.
LFC 28/10/2020 at 1:52 pm
My son is 19 this Feb and has finished college doing a plastering course and starts college on the 1 Nov 20 doing a ca maintenance course. Am I duty bound to continue paying maintenance. Kind regards
James 25/10/2020 at 12:17 am
My wife and i seperated many years ago. I have paid for my wide maintenance for her ever since. She is in full time education and aged 18. My daughter is moving in with her boyfriend. Do i now pay my daughter direct for maintenance?
Stevey 22/10/2020 at 1:34 pm
My has left college not 18 do still pay csa
Stevey 22/10/2020 at 1:32 pm
My son has left college he is not 18 do I still pay csa
Chris 14/10/2020 at 9:20 pm
My daughter was 17 in September 2020 her mother is saying she is attending the local collage until June 2021.i have paid maintenance monthly since 2008 last payment was September 2020 this is when I was informed of the collage. I have said I would carry on paying maintenance until June as long as I get proof of her registration and attendance and my daughters bank details to pay direct. Her mother after some vicious emails and texts to me gave me my daughters bank details but they are for a bank located in London not in the north of England where they live. And I still have no proof of her actually going to collage. The ex ie her mother has committed fraud using my name and bank details in the past and has lied about things before. My daughter doesn't even live with her mother she lives with her grandmother
Harry 14/10/2020 at 8:51 am
My 18 year old son now lives with myself and has done since April. He is in his final year at college. Myself and my ex wife made an agreement for her to pay maintenance rather than go through CMS but as my son has getn his self a part time job working 12hrs on a weekend his mother is threatening to stop paying maintenance for him... Is she required to still pay maintenance to support him until he finishes his final year at college???
Steve 13/10/2020 at 9:01 pm
My son left school in March he is 16 and because his mum is claiming child benefit I still have to pay child maintenance. How do I prove he is not in Education so his mum can stop fraudulently claiming child benefit? Child maintenance are not interested.
Enough 08/10/2020 at 9:53 pm
I’m estranged from my daughter, had no contact now for 5 years, but been separated from her mother for 16 years. For all this time I have been paying maintenance, never once missed a payment. My daughter is now 18 since March 2020 and have been told by the CMS that I still have to pay maintenance. It’s crippling me, I’ve looked online and it says I have to pay up to 20 years old??? Is this right?? I don’t know if she is in further education or anything. I basically got with a goldigger 20 years ago, she spent all my money and got me into debt, then got pregnant, apparently mine, when we split, and then came after me for CM, which I paid without hesitation, it’s been a rear struggle but I have done it. Now I’m struggling financially but can’t understand why I still have to pay after she had turned 18. Any help would be welcome.
Danjo 07/10/2020 at 3:42 pm
My 18 year old son has gone back to college, but is also working 30 hours a week, in the evenings. Do I still have to pay child maintenance until he leaves college?
Richard 06/10/2020 at 2:29 pm
There are lots of interesting questions raised by individuals over the last few months, but seemingly no answers. The CMS are as corrupt as some of the receiving parents out there and will happily issue deduction of earnings orders as they benefit from the extra 20% the paying parent has to make to them. The CMS rarely answer your questions are prefer to let their decisions go to a Tribunals as they know the paying parent probably can't afford the solicitor fees to challenge their decisions.

Are there any organisations that can cost effective support to paying parents whom are brave enough to go to tribunal. Solicitors at £300 per hour are not cost effective!
IAN 06/10/2020 at 1:20 pm
MY SON WHO TURNS 18 ON THE 2ND NOVEMBER 2020 HAS JUST RETURNED TO SCHOOL TO STUDY IT, BUSINESS, MATHS & ENGLISH GCSE AT LEVEL 2, MAYBE LEVEL 3 NEXT YEAR? HE HAD LEFT SCHOOL THIS YEAR BUT BECAUSE HE CANT GET A JOB OR APPRENTICESHIP HIS MUM HAS SENT HIM BACK TO SCHOOL. WE DONT HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CSA ANYMORE, ONLY BETWEEN OURSELVES. WHEN THIS AGREEMENT WAS SET UP I SAID I WOULD ONLY PAY CHILD MAINTENCE UNTIL MY SON TURNED 18. CAN SHE MAKE ME STILL PAY TO HER, I AM NOT ON A VERY GOOD WAGE SO IT IS A STRUGGLE EVERY WEEK TO KEEP ON PAYING THIS.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE
Belle 04/10/2020 at 7:06 am
Morning my daughter has been living with her father and his partner since January 2017 and I have paid regular maintenance payments even though my daughter refuses to see me she turns 18 in October 2020 and is at college and has a part time job waitressing
Do I need to continue payments after 18

Thankyou
Steve 25/09/2020 at 1:49 pm
My son turned 18 in June and is leaving his home with his mother on the 28th September to go to university. In my divorce settlement we agreed a global maintenance order which my payments finished in August 2020 and this included enhanced payments for my son. I have received a letter from the CMS advising me I should be making more child maintenance payments for the next 12 months which I disagree with. How should I resolve this notice ? I
Bentley 24/09/2020 at 7:36 am
My daughter is 18 and she started her 4 years studies A levels in Uni. She moved out her mums and moved in to live with my sister rent free food free toiletries free .
My daughter has received a student loan and looking for a job . Do I still pay child maintenance until she finishes her studies after 4 years ?
Kaz 23/09/2020 at 10:18 pm
My partner has been paying CM for both his children his son is now 16 not in FT or PT education but we still pay CM to the mother which never goes on the children. Do he have to continue to pay CM for the nearly 17 year old which had no interest in anything other than staying in bed or watching football. He had no interest in working. His mother claimed PIP for him since a young age (which there is nothing wrong with him only been impregnated into him by her) now she has a brand new car through DLA and obviously it's his money in which she is using. Is he entitled to that money at 16! Yes he is just banging my head against a brick wall with it all wouldn't mind if the money went on children but it goes on herself. Any help would be appreciated
Erine 18/09/2020 at 10:33 pm
hi my doughter turned 18 in January 3 2020 in March her mum said i should stop paying the child maintenance and just pay the arrears i had witch was £15 a week witch I thought was great so I agreed to pay £25 aweek to her instead so i could finish my arrears faster but during the lock down i failed to pay her the arrears and she has reported me to csa who are threatening to take it out my salary and there are telling me i owe her 3 months of full child maintenance as i was only meant to stop once they close the case even though the mother had told me to stop and have evidence on my phone of her texts i have also read it is up to the mother to provide evidence of the father not paying and the father to provide as she is the one claiming i didn't pay Please any help would be appreciated
Bob the duck 17/09/2020 at 6:48 am
Hopefully someone can help me out. I have been paying my ex partner weekly maintenance by a standing order since he was 2yrs old. This was a mutual agreement. My son is now 16 and finished school in March 2020 when covid lock down came in. He has NOT returned to any further education as he has got himself a part time job working a maximum of 16 hrs per week because of his age. I have asked my son if he has to attend any college or school for education or is it an apprenticeship involving any further learning, he has told me its learning on the job. Now i cant find much else out about this as his mum wont tell me. Im still paying her atm,. So my question is, can i tell her that given the situation I will now stop his weekly maintenance? Or am I in the wrong. I just need some clarification before acting and starting ww3? Many thanks.
Moody Bum 15/09/2020 at 4:36 pm
Hi my 18yr old Stepson had dropped out of college in Feb as he couldnt find a apprentiship. He then claimed universal credit, and came to live with us for a few months. He has since moved back to his Mum and has started back at college on a new course. Extended certificate level 2 and Gcse English and Maths. 3 days a wk. He has also told me that he has a cash in hand job the days he isnt at college. Should My husband still be paying child maintenance. He will be 19 at the end of the year.?
LAURENCE 07/09/2020 at 10:23 am
I have to boys one 13 and one is 18 and 19 in November. Do I still need to be paying CM for my 18 year old who is at college 2 days a week.
Thanks

Laurence
Paddy 07/09/2020 at 7:39 am
My daughter is 18 in March 21, however she starts at University this week. Do I still pay maintenance? I have not seen her since she was 3 but i have always paid what CMS has asked me to.The law is very confusing and as much as I think I should continue some sort of payment to her I dont believe it is right that it should be through her mother. Both her and her husband earn significantly more than I do and the amounts asked for by CMS have always put a strain on my finances. Can someone please advise.
Justme 03/09/2020 at 11:28 pm
My son is now 18 he has studied level 1-3 at college, I have kept my payments upto date, only to be informed he is now studying level 1 in a totally different subject to keep benefits and CMS payments for the mother. The Csa have responded saying there is no limits to the amount of courses he can study even though he now has a level 3 college certification. They haven’t even requested proof of his enrolment or hours at college. Am I wrong in saying this is an abuse of the system and the age in place within the system is for children is so they can study level 1-3 and then go onto higher education or get a job?
Rich 02/09/2020 at 6:06 pm
My son left school during lockdown 16yrs old.
He is going to college to do a Electrician course, two days a week. Waiting for a official apprenticeship.
He does have a job, working for friends of his mother, for the other 3 or 4 days, earning up to £300/400 a month.
I have told his mother that I am ceasing monthly payments to her from 31/08/20, I have offered to give my son, an amount directly to his bank account each month.
Only to be told, I can’t stop paying because he is still in full time education.
I don’t know how to prove he has a job the other 3 days.
How am I supposed to resolve this problem?
Eaton 29/08/2020 at 11:16 am
Hi wonder if you can help my son turning 20 29th aug I just received a message by text that my payments monthly have decreased from 280 a month to 48 a month from november I wanted to just pay the 280 for august and not have to worry again about any payments again but seems that 48 quid gonna come out my account every month till makes up 280 I just want shot of the csa payments they should stop now can I phone up csa and tell them to take the last payment of 280 in full and that's me finished with them .
Stu 28/08/2020 at 6:50 pm
Hi my son is 19 he left collage last year and is looking for work and he doesn’t sign on..... do I still pay maintenance for him
Hoppo 27/08/2020 at 9:52 am
Hi my son (17 in October 2020) has just started a Traineeship for Automotive Engineering with ACT (Associated Community Training Limited) Company No. 02292330. It is classed as a Level 1 which is equivalent to GCSE D-G.

I don't know if this makes any difference but he will be getting paid £50 per week and travelling expenses.

So my question is - is this classed as full time education (from a CSA / Child Maintenance Perspective) and will this mean that Child Maintenance will still need to be paid?
kat 24/08/2020 at 3:08 pm
hi my son in no fault of his own left school through lockdown he 16 years old looking for a job does his dad still need to pay maintenance
dunk 24/08/2020 at 2:26 pm
hi my estranged son is 18 now do I still need to pay child maintenance as I ihave no way of finding out if he's in employment further education etc..
To many kids lol 20/08/2020 at 11:29 pm
My son is now 16 left school and going to college to do carpentry course (not A level)
And is also looking for a part time job. Would I still have to pay X for him or dose it stop as it's not A level education.
Dre 20/08/2020 at 5:15 pm
Hi. My son finished school and has enrolled at military college until next June when he can join the Army full time. I believe it is classed as full time education but not for A levels. Does this still apply?
Andyrob 11/08/2020 at 6:06 pm
Daughter is 16 left school I've been paying x for years no problem she not going to go college looking for job do I need still pay cheers
JP 04/08/2020 at 1:13 pm
My son was 18 in May and finished college in mid July. He now has a full time job since the end of July. I have paid maintenance up to the end of August. Can I now cancel all maintenance payments?
Joanna Heller 20/07/2020 at 6:47 pm
Hi my sons father has said he is to stop paying maintenance for his son as he has finished college I fully understand this but
how is finished college defined? Is this the september or when he has taken his last exam?

Also my ex has not provided earnings evidence since 2011 despite requests to provide. He is a police officer and I believe his salary has increased in that time and that he has earnt quite a bit in overtime. He has not paid any since 2011. How can I navigate this issue to ensure that my children receive this money? NB I work so I do not rely for this for my living costs. He and i have a written private agreement that he would pay 20% of his take home for the two children. 15% since 2018 as it reduced to just the one child.
Andy 18/07/2020 at 6:01 pm
My son is 18 years old and has left college but he's now doing army training. Do I still have to pay maintenance to his mum? Thank you
j 18/07/2020 at 4:36 pm
Hi, My son is leaving school this month and is 18 and is not persuing further education. When should I stop paying maintenance for him. My ex wife is saying I need to pay until end of August even though he is leaving school end of July??
AL 18/07/2020 at 12:15 pm
I have a Maintenance Order under the Family Law Act 1976, issued to me from an Irish Court in 2011.
It states that payments be made until the child reaches 16 OR 21 if in full time education.
My son lives in Ireland with his mother, and turned 21 in March 2020.
He has now decided to live and study full time back in the UK as of Sept 2020.
Has the Maintenance Order ceased?
I can’t seem to find any information to clarify this.
The courts haven’t returned any emails and his mother is demanding money.
Dave 14/07/2020 at 5:49 pm
Hi my son has recently left school and started work full time as an apprentice , so do I still have to pay for child maintenance.
Bonnie 06/07/2020 at 1:14 pm
Himy partner currently pays child maintenance for hes daughter who is 15.
She has decided to drop outof school to which the birth mother really clearly doesn't care. We have tried many ways to get her back into school but she does not care about her education. Does he still have to pay maintenance for his daughter ?
Charlie 03/07/2020 at 11:48 am
Hi - my 15 year old son has recently gone to live with his Father, I don't know how long for, he may chose to go to college there and he may not, he is still deciding! My ex-partner contacted me a couple of days ago with his bank details so I can send him child maintenance, do I have to do that immediately? He has only been there a matter of weeks, and whereas his Father does pay me child maintenance (which clearly has stopped now), it was incredibly hard to get that processed and receive it regularly and I effectively had to write off £2500. Any advice would be fantastic, thank you.
Darius 30/06/2020 at 7:09 am
Hi, my 19 year old son is apparently doing a level 3 Nvq (dont get any answers from my ex about course/when he started etc) and was just wondering where I stand on maintenance payments? Do they stop this august? on his 20th birthday? or do I have to pay until he finishes his course in full? Many thanks.
H 29/06/2020 at 12:34 pm
Hi, My Daughter is 18 this month and due to having a baby early in August.
She is intending to continue with college after the Baby is born.
am I still liable to pay maintenance?
Janet 29/06/2020 at 10:33 am
My stepdaughter turns 19next month and starts a btech level 3 at college in September. Does my husband stop paying maintenance next month, There is so much conflicting answers to this, thanks in advance for any replys
Chicken 26/06/2020 at 2:40 pm
My husband is paying child maintence for his son whom turns 18 tomorrow, He is wondering when the child maintence payments for him would stop as he will be going to Musical Thertre college in September and was told of the CMS that they do not class Musical Thertre as further education any help would be greatly appreciated before he gets in touch with them, Thank you very much
Dravey 24/06/2020 at 5:31 pm
I have been paying maintenance for my two boys for years. The eldest is not far off 18. He attended college which I believe he was played for by the college. He stopped going back in March probably due to the coronovirus. I found out today that he works part time. Should I still be paying for him? My other son is 15.
Johnny Sellers 20/06/2020 at 8:14 pm
Hi,

My son is leaving college this month and is 18 when should I stop paying maintenance for him.
Thanks in advance
Watto 17/06/2020 at 11:42 am
My Son is in further education but his course finished in May and he turns 19 in August. Should I have stopped paying CSA in May or continue until August?
Ken 15/06/2020 at 12:03 am
Hi my son was 18 last October and left school at the end of May when do I stop paying maintenance
Brasso 06/06/2020 at 10:43 pm
I now live in canada, I have been paying £500 per month for the last 16 years, never missed a payment.
My daughter is turning 20 in November, she is resisting her exams, to enable her to attend nursing school, she now wishes to attend the navy nursing program and get her degree that way.

When do I cease being legally responsible for child maintenance payments ?
On top of maintenance payments I also bought her car, pay the Insurance, maintenance and pay £100 a month for pocket money.
I am hoping November when she turns 20 is the last child support payment, child support at 20. Wow !
Lex 05/05/2020 at 12:20 am
Hi my eldest is 16 this month & my ex wants to stop payments.
My son will be attending college full time
Sarah 02/05/2020 at 11:26 am
My son 16 left college due to really hating the course he chose, he was getting ill over having to go. He has been applying to every job and Apprentiship he can find but not been successful, so it looks like it’ll be in September when he can restart- during this coronavirus he cannot work or study - does his father still have to pay or am I the only one who financially supports him now/ Meets his needs? Thanks
Pitbull 30/04/2020 at 6:49 pm
My son is leaving school next year to go to naval collage will I still need to pay child maintenance for him.
Kez 28/04/2020 at 5:00 pm
My daughter is applying for full-time degree course. Her father still pays for her and I am expecting this to continue. This is until September.

Does anyone know if I can continue to receive this maintenance payment from September onwards. Daughter will be living with me and not in residence at university /college campuss
Gavin 24/04/2020 at 11:33 pm
I now receive Child Benefit for my boy who is 6. I have two other children with the same person who are 12 and 2. I told the CMS that I would like to my son removed from the calculation because I receive CB for him. I am in a shared care arrangement with 165 nights per year responsibility. I pay 500GBP per month. I am struggling to pay this because I owe 7k in legal fees to fight for the custody I have now.


I received a letter today from the CMS saying that my request has been rejected. Can someone please explain why this could be? I have appealed.
Watto 20/04/2020 at 9:51 am
My son turns 18 on the 26/4/20 and has been working ( apprenticeship)since he was 16 and still is .when would be my last payment for maintenance.
Lm 17/04/2020 at 3:45 pm
My step son is 18 and has now officially finished school as a level exams are cancelled.He May go on to university do we have to continue to pay maintenance. He is working part time and has applied for a few apprenticeships
TheCat 16/04/2020 at 4:59 pm
HELP!!!
I pay maintenance foe my daughter, who turns 18 in August.
Her college has closed and she was due to sit her A levels, but this has been cancelled and grades are being organised by tutors.
As she has technically finished college, can I stop the maintenance payments?
Divorce was evil and I have no contact with any of the family, so I do not know if she is still 'studying' and ex will just lie to get money out of me anyway.
Marky 07/04/2020 at 2:28 pm
My son is 18 and has an apprenticeship as a vehicle technician, do I still have to pay child maintenance??
None 03/04/2020 at 12:08 pm
My son is 18 and will be leaving school this year and going to college but he does have a part time job at the moment so I still pay

And also do you still have to pay if the child mother doesn’t review child benefit for the child and what age does he stop to qualify for child benefit thanks
kier 29/03/2020 at 9:54 am
I pay maintenance for my daughter, she's 17, work 5 days a week in a shop, apparently does her 2 day per week college work from home?? obviously college is also closed for the foreseeable future anyway....
should I still be pay maintenance?
Beena 28/03/2020 at 6:49 pm
My child is still in college and the final date for the course in August 2020 the academic year I still get my child benefit until then do I still get maintenance for my child until then too?
Wdb 27/03/2020 at 7:42 pm
Hi, my daughter is 18 and her exams have been cancelled. Normally we pay child maintenance until they have graduated. Graduation is not happening this year so do I still pay or can I just pay my daughter instead.
Joe 13/03/2020 at 6:39 pm
Hi, my daughter will start uni in September she is 19 years old. When do the CSA payments cease? Thank you
T 10/03/2020 at 11:50 am
Does anybody know, if the mother earns more then the father, does the father still h be to pay CSA payments?
Hightower 07/03/2020 at 2:16 pm
My son is was 18 in dec 19 he is not in full time education or any type of apprenticeship scheme he works for an agency 2 days or more a week, do I still need to pay maintenance to his mother?
Tanya 07/03/2020 at 1:21 pm
Hello,

The Court Consent Order states, child maintenance is due until the end of Uni (tertiary) education.

My ex pays my sons maintenance directly to my son, the so-called full amount.
However the Court Order states, 80% should be paid to my son and 20% to me.

A) How would I know he's paying the correct amount to my son?
B) How can I claim the 20% I should be getting?

Although our divorce was sometime ago it was extremely acrimonious and we have no contact with each other.

His declared income to CMS is a joke, he's a very wealthy - extremely successful well know fashion entrepreneur.
Rachx 01/03/2020 at 8:14 am
Hi my partner pays his ex CSA for 2 children, their mother had to move out of a private rented property over a year ago and has not found a new one. The boys have been living separately with their nanas, does my partner still need to pay her if they aren’t living with her?
johnboy 29/02/2020 at 11:55 am
my son is mentally disabled and goes to collage for further education he is now just 17 and lives with his mother, it is expected that he may have to continue at that collage until he is possibly 21 or so? , do I therefore have to continue to pay child support until that time or just until he is 19, thank you
Sarah 27/02/2020 at 10:23 am
Please could I have some advice for my partner ? He has two children from a previous marriage which he has been paying via csa, now his son is now 17 and in college 3 days a week but works 4 days a week, this is not a placement or apprentice , this is a job in a restaurant, now the mother has lost it with my partner as he was asked by csa what his sons situation is, he told the truth? And now we can’t see the children again? My question is how is this fair? She clearly has been working the system and claiming as full time education, but why are dads punished so much as he is paying consistently but his son gets 30-40 hour week wage? How can a mother stop the relationship with children and their father, they have now blocked my partner ? It’s truly unfair and I don’t get involved but it’s really affecting my partners mental state x
M j lee 18/02/2020 at 6:36 am
Hi my ex has just started a new clam again and csa are taken 50 a week straight out of my wages my kids are now 20 and 23 and I have always payed for them just think its unfair how the csa sides with the mam even if dads pay for there kids.
Vonp 14/02/2020 at 12:25 am
It seems dads get a very unfair deal. Why is there so much information for the parent receiving payment but not for paying parent. I’ve not received any money for my daughter for 4 years and tbh he was an awful human and I didn’t want it. However my partner pays for his 2 kids, one is turning 18 this year and we have no idea what she is doing at college as he has no contact despite winning court order to see his kids. My daughter lives with me and is at college, I give her no money whatsoever as she works part time and needs to learn about money. I can’t understand why people have to pay for an adult up to the age of 20. It’s ludicrous. So does anyone actual know how to find out what these ‘children’ are doing at college etc. I can guarantee that the maintenance does not go towards the child as these 18-20 year old children spend very little time at home.
Granty 10/02/2020 at 9:57 am
Hi my son is 18 and on a college course. How do I know if I need to carry on paying maintenance and if the mother is still receiving child benefit. I understand if that has stopped so do the maintenance payments. He also works weekends part time job, I have never missed a payment for 11 years but I like to see were I stand. Thanks
woody 06/02/2020 at 5:38 pm
i have a 19 year old daughter says she is going to full time college can i stop paying?
Mrs natalie j jewkes 27/01/2020 at 8:34 pm
Hi my 16 year old son has decided to drop out of college and get a full time job. Do i still have to pay his dad maintenance?
DaForce 19/01/2020 at 11:21 pm
I need some help please I have contacted this CMS a few times on this matter and been giving different answers each time I've called them, this is my situation, my daughter turns 18 at the end of February and she's been working a part-time job since you were 16 she is attending college for one day a week and is on placement for free 3 days, one person at the cms told me as she is only attending college for less than 12 hours I am no longer obliged to pay child maintenance but then I spoke to somebody else and they said that the work placement is part of the study, everything I can find online points towards child maintenance only to continue if your studying study my question is as it has been to the cms is the placement classed as study or is it classed as work experience? If you could please get back to me I would be greatly appreciative I just need to know where I stand on this.
Jbob 16/01/2020 at 11:48 am
Hi my son is 18 and on a college course. How do I know if I need to carry on paying maintenance and if the mother is still receiving child benefit. I understand if that has stopped so do the maintenance payments.
Darren 13/01/2020 at 9:04 pm
Hi, im not in contact with my daughter (17). Ive just discovered she started an apprentiship last september, everything ive read suggests i should be no longer paying child support, am i right or am i reading information wrongly

Any help greatly received
Matt 12/01/2020 at 2:51 pm
Hi my daughter is nearly 18 and has been doing an apprenticeship since she left secondary school at 16, should I have been paying and still be paying maintence for that child? She works 5 days a week and attends college 1 day a week.
Atina 11/01/2020 at 11:58 am
My childs father is paying maintaince at the moment but he is going back to collage he is 29 . He is saying he wont have to pay anything for our daughter is this right
Ben 10/01/2020 at 6:42 pm
Hi daughter turned 19 on the 02/01/20 she is still in education doing a university course at a college. She also has a part time job.
Should I still pay maintenance?
Shane84 08/01/2020 at 8:30 pm
Hi my son is was 16 in August,
Haven't been back to school, nor is he working.
But he is supposed be going Tydfil training
(WORK BASED TRAINING) get paid £45 a week.
Am I still obliged to pay maintenance??
Thanks
Nevone 02/01/2020 at 9:04 am
My son is was16 in july and has not been to college since September he has aspergers he lives with his mum and if he does not attend college can I stop maintenance payments
Mixed signals 30/12/2019 at 6:56 pm
Hi my daughter is thinking about an apprenticeship next August when she leaves secondary school at 16, my question is the same as many will cms ecpe t maintence that for that child who will in essence be working 4 days a week and attending college 1 day a week (may differ in the first year slightly). My ex wife says she has been told by cms I will still pay however a lot of sites Onlibe claim if its less than 12 hours a week in a classroom or working more than 24 hours a week, both of which most apprentiships are, that it is not deemed as full time education.
POD 17/12/2019 at 6:14 pm
My daughter aged 17 who lives with her mother finishes her a levels in June. She turns 18 in July.
I currently pay her mother child maintenance directly by mutual agreement. This does not involve the CSA etc.
In September my daughter plans to start University full time and to live away from home. I want to stop paying her mother and to transfer payment to my daughter instead.
Can I do this and if so when?
I keep seeing conflicting information.
Please help!
Mark 03/12/2019 at 11:17 am
My 16yr old son has a paid apprentership as an electrion.£200 a week and goes village one week in 4. Do I stop csa to his married mum? Thanks
Molly 01/12/2019 at 10:58 pm
Hi, my Son will be 18 on the 13th of August 2020 and has been doing a Mechanics Course at The Institute, since leaving School. When do I finish paying Child Maintenance. He is likely to continue on with a 3rd Year doing Mechanic Diagnose Course.

Many Thanks Molly
GONK098 01/12/2019 at 10:28 pm
My daughter was 18 in June 2019.
At the age of 17 she was taking ALevels at school and completed her first year but dropped out of the school and went to a college and started ALevels from year one again so her ALevels will not finish until June 2020 (when she is 19)

By law, do I need to make payments until she is complete the course in June 2020 or should the payments have stopped the September after her 18th?
Deb 26/11/2019 at 9:06 am
My daughter turns 16 next November, I receive maintenance from my ex partner rather than through CMS/CSA. Because she will leave school and go into college, will I still be entitled to maintenance until she finishes college? I need to be sure before contacting my ex partner and discussing this with him. Thank you
Pauly 26/11/2019 at 9:01 am
Hi my husband has been paying maintenance for his son he turned 19 in November 2019,we have found out he started full time employment in September 2019 when should maintenance stop for him?
idontknow 26/11/2019 at 7:39 am
Hi My son will be 18 in March he is due to go and study in Denmark for 1 year in August when he is in Denmark do I have to still Pay maintenance for him ?
Camster18 19/11/2019 at 5:29 pm
If you 18 year old daughter becomes pregnant but still in full time education. Do I still need to pay.
Spud 11/11/2019 at 11:27 am
Hi, I'm currently paying maintenance 4 my 18yr old son , how do I find out if he is still in full time education,I think he has a part time job , can't ask my ex wife as we are no longer on speaking terms & got no way 2 contact my son , thanks in ad
Angry 11/11/2019 at 11:26 am
Hi. My partners son is 18. He decided to leave full time education and is now doing 10 hours a week on a part time college course to be an electrician. The mother works part time. Is my partner still liable for CSA payments?? As it states that for payments he needs to be in school at least 12 hours per week?? And is the mother still entitled to claim CHB?
CF 07/11/2019 at 2:31 pm
My friend is still living with her husband but they are estranged and she is planning to issue divorce papers. They have 4 children at primary school. Her husband works but she doesn’t as youngest only just started school. Her husband was giving my friend (his wife) money to provide for the children every month but he has now stopped giving her money so she is struggling to feed and support the children. Where does she stand legally with this and how can she get help? Is her husband legally required to support his children even though they are not divorced yet? My friend wants a divorce but doesn’t think her husband will sign the papers or leave the family home. Any advice greatly appreciated
Angela 02/11/2019 at 1:29 pm
Hi, I'm currently paying maintenance 4 my 18yr old son , how do I find out if he is still in full time education, I think he has a part time job , can't ask my ex husband as we are no longer on speaking terms & got no way 2 contact my son , thanks in advance
Cycli Gert 28/10/2019 at 8:53 pm
Hi there. Just received a text from ex-wife (ex 15 years) stating that second oldest son (18 years old) started uni and that she thought that I should still be paying maintenance. I haven't actually stopped paying and he started uni in September.
Everything I have read points towards me no longer being obliged to pay (legally). Is this correct?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Regards
Mark
Lou 26/10/2019 at 11:23 am
Is my partner required to pay maintenance for a 17 year old who has left school and studying at college. His son also has a part time job, earning £150 weekly.
Thanks for any help.
Stodge 23/10/2019 at 5:43 pm
Hi all....my daughter is 16 and has started a college course in September...I have spoken with her mother and I am on the understanding that my payments to her finish when my daughter turns 18 ?....my daughter currently has a part time job and wants to keep in it whilst going through college....do my payments stop when she turns 18 please ?
Humpster 21/10/2019 at 5:37 pm
Hi,my daughter is 17 in 2 months she will 18,she does attend Bcot,basically what she is catching up on what she was behind in school,she does attend for 12hrs a week but it's not towards A-levels but I'm still paying maintaince till she's 18,is that correct?
Humpster 21/10/2019 at 11:31 am
Hi,my daughter is 17,will be 18 in 2 months,she will attending some further education for 12hrs a week not for A levels just catching up on what she did not learn a school.when do I stop paying.
Concerned partner 21/10/2019 at 11:02 am
Hi my partner has 2 girls aged 16 & 18. 16 year old is in year 11 so full time education, 18 year is in her 3rd year of sixth form does hardly any hours and doesn’t work and no longer lives with her mother. Does partner still need to pay for 18 year old? Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you :-)
Barry 16/10/2019 at 6:39 pm
I am the absent parent paying directly to parent with care, for some years now, child is 19 and has a baby, is still in education, I'm not in contact, so unable to find out much info, do I still have a responsibility to maintain payments ?
Dingo 11/10/2019 at 8:13 pm
Hi my daughter is 18, 19 in a weeks time she doesn't work or go to college. Do I still have to pay maintenance.
Dadof3 11/10/2019 at 9:16 am
My eldest daughter is nearly 18, in full time college and has a part time job working 3-5 days a week. When would I be able to stop paying maintenance for her to my ex, would rather give my daughter the money if possible! Thanks.
pinkie 10/10/2019 at 3:53 pm
when a child is 16 years old and has a paid apprenticeship, does the divorced parent have to pay child maintenance ?.
Many thanks
t0mma 09/10/2019 at 10:21 am
I have a son studying A levels, if he fails and has to re sit them do I still have to pay? If so is it just until he turns 19?
LA 06/10/2019 at 6:57 am
Hi I have 6 children which I have been paying maintenance for for over 10 yrs, one of my twin daughter's who is 17 and studying for her A levels, has moved out of her mother's home with her boyfriend and his parents I'm not trying to get out of paying, but am I entitled to give my daughter her share of what I pay, as I feel that she would benefit from this because her mother no longer has care of her, I understand that should she for whatever reason move back to her mother's then business as usual,, ???
Dube 05/10/2019 at 8:44 am
My daughter has just turned 18 and will sit her a levels in six months. She plans to do another year In full time education at a fashion college studying for an NVQ.
Can anyone advise when I can stop paying child support to her mum.
The mum works the minimum hours to claim all the government benefits available, ie gets the rent paid for etc etc...only has the one child and has screwed me for every penny
Thank you
Ambo 02/10/2019 at 9:34 am
My ex wife is on benefits and hasn't and hasn't worked for years, I have a 19 year old daughter who wants to get a job but has been told by my ex wife that she has to stay at collage for another year so she won't loose out on child tax credit. My daughter is not doing A levels, she is doing level 2 maths which is the equivalent of GCSE grade C. I pay maintenance through standing order not through cad and my maintenance should stop on the 5th of this month. I have had a text message from my ex wife saying that she now wants a lesser amount than I pay now of she will take me to the csa.
Can someone please tell me if this is right
Trish 30/09/2019 at 11:26 am
My husband is paying for his 18 year old just gone into further education college. Ex is still claiming child benefit in my opinion illegally. Should he still pay for her. She does 4 hours a week at college
spirit 28/09/2019 at 7:56 pm
My son is just starting a 4 year university course and is 18, is the Dad expected to pay maintenance
spirit 28/09/2019 at 7:20 pm
my son is 18 and starting a 4 year university course. Is the Dad expected to continue paying maintenance?
Mug 27/09/2019 at 9:42 pm
My son is 16 nearly 17. Hes at college 3 days a week and works 2 days. Am i supposed tl pay maintenance still not
Jeff 27/09/2019 at 11:24 am
Hi my daughter is 18 & left college do I still have to pay my ex maintenance for my daughter.
Spike1966 23/09/2019 at 3:28 pm
My estranged daughter from my prior marriage is 18 years old. I have always paid regular maintenance. My divorce many years ago was not amicable and my ex and I do not converse. Is there any way to formerly prove my daughter is in full time education so that I can establish if I still should be paying maintenance. Her 19th birthday will be this coming December 2019. If my ex no longer receives child benefit is that also not an indicator I could use and if so am I able to find out if she receiving it?
Nicolas 21/09/2019 at 8:00 pm
My friend has a daughter 17 yrs old works weekends looking for a apprenticeship does he continue to pay child maintanance she has also left full time education.
Also does the child benefit continue when a child goes for a apprenticeship
Plus if a child works weekends does the child benefit stop remembering she isn't in full time education.
Nic 21/09/2019 at 7:54 pm
I am asking for advice for a friend his daughter is 17 working weekends looking for a apprenticeship she has finished full time education does he need to continue to pay child maintenance.
Also does the child benefit stop.
Mika 20/09/2019 at 1:10 pm
can I claim for child support maintenance if the children get child support grant?
Jay 16/09/2019 at 1:31 pm
Do I have to pay maintenance to my ex if my kid is kicked out of school education
Jembob 13/09/2019 at 8:54 am
My step daughter is 17 and has just gone to college, she has a child of her own and is living with her boyfriends family. Do we have to pay child support?
Nicnacs 09/09/2019 at 8:10 pm
My stepson is 16 and left full time education. He is now working as an apprentice, is my husband still required to pay child maintenance?
Si 09/09/2019 at 6:06 pm
Hi my daughter is 17, 18 on 4/11/19 and last week his ex rang to say maintenance to stop as her child benefit had stopped. My daughter did a college course last year but quit this and then got seasonal work during the 6 weeks holidays. She is still working there but on weekends only. I have now received a phone call from the ex saying that I have to start paying maintenance again as my daughter is going on something called Workpay. This basically helps them with cv’s etc and to get an apprenticeship. She is going there twice a week don’t know how many hours for though. Do I still have to pay maintenance as I thought the child had to be doing A levels or higher education and this is just a training scheme. If i do have to still pay can it stop at 18. Thanks
Dormo 09/09/2019 at 10:53 am
Hi my step daughter is 19 and just starting university does my husband still have to pay maintenance?
Jackie 08/09/2019 at 6:11 pm
Does my ex continue to pay maintenance payments whilst my 18 year old daughter is at full time university?
Goody 08/09/2019 at 10:18 am
My son is going college two and a half days a week ,will this reduce my child maintenance
Goody 08/09/2019 at 10:16 am
My son is going college 2 Nd a half days a week will my maintenance reduce
Jim 07/09/2019 at 7:41 pm
Daughter left school and started college on “level 2 course do I still have to pay child support ??
Jaay 07/09/2019 at 5:15 pm
Hello, my son left school in june2019 and has started work after his a levels. He got good grades and has a place at uni in Sept. 2020 so is working until then.
Can I now stop paying child maintenance!
Gerryb 07/09/2019 at 2:36 pm
My son is nearly 17 and left school in June. He isn’t in any education all and is making no attempt to get a job because his mum is still giving him half of the maintenance money that I’m paying. I’m going to stop payments completely now. Am I within my rights to do this?
Jason 05/09/2019 at 7:14 pm
Hi. My daughter finished a level 2 course in childcare in June this year and turned 18 in August. She was going to look for a job but then her mum persuaded her to go back and do her level 2 English as she had failed it for the second time and this prevented her from doing level three childcare this academic year... she is now studying her level two English and has also enrolled in a level 1 art course as a way of staying in full time education (and making me pay for longer). Firstly is there anything to say she needs to be studying A levels at this stage for me to still be paying or is it ok for her to essentially be adding a minimum gcse level subject to her education just to get her over the 12 hour threshold? Secondly if she finishes her course in June ? Do I still have to pay for the rest of the academic year?
Ff 05/09/2019 at 6:17 pm
My son left school half way through a levels at age 17
Now over a year later and aged 18 he has decided to go to college to redo them
His mum insists I need to start maintenance again
Is this correct?
R 04/09/2019 at 8:52 am
Hello. I am currently going through a divorce and have 2 sons aged 20 and 15. Both have autism. The eldest has just finished his A levels and will be starting University next week. Am I correct in saying that I no longer have to pay maintenance for him anymore? We have always had our own agreement in place in regards maintenance payments.
lee ann 03/09/2019 at 11:52 am
my step daughter turned 16 back in april and has just passed her GCSE we don't know weather she going college or 6th form as her and her mother
dont talk to is we still pay maintenance? how do we fond out what she doing and do we pay maintenance if she part works and goes college?

thanks
Tom 02/09/2019 at 5:09 pm
Hi my stepson is 16 just left school doing carpentry course at college and re sitting GCSE English does maintenance stop ?
chereau1 01/09/2019 at 11:29 pm
My son who was 18yrs old at the end of May 2019, finished school and his A levels at the end of June. His school term finished mid July. I have always made monthly payments a month in advance and wondered when my last monthly payment should be? I have the paperwork from Worcs Country Court stating I shall make either until my son reaches 18yrs of age or finishes his education, whichever is the latter. Do I take the date he leaves school after his last exam or the date of the end of the school term as a final maintenance payment? Many thanks
Jules 29/08/2019 at 8:19 am
Hi my stepson turned 18 in february 2019 and has finished his A levels after completing a 2 year college course . He's going to university in september 2019. What is the actual date my husbands maintenance stops please? Is it the day before he starts university? Should it have been the last day he completed college or is it the last day of August 2019? Many thanks x
Jocky 27/08/2019 at 5:19 pm
HELP!!! My son turned 18 in May 2019 and has finished his A levels. His mum is desperate that she continues to get maintenance so what I think has happened is that he is taking a gap year instead of going to Uni. I think there may be a loophole that he may still be entitled to maintenance if he is doing an apprenticeship or something similar? I haven't had contact in 8 years (not my choice) and all of a sudden he is contacting me. If I have resume contact does that give his mum rights to claim money?
RKN 27/08/2019 at 10:23 am
My son is 18 & looking at an apprenticeship. Do I still have to pay maintenance? Thanks
Weps 26/08/2019 at 8:51 pm
My son has just left school at 16. He is going in 6 form to studie film studies at A level and Creative Media at diploma. The last 2 years of his schooling he spent very little time at school, his mother said she was home schooling him, which i never chalanged. We have an angreement in place between us, for payment for him and his younger sister.
With my son studing these courses, should i still make payment for him?
Griffo 25/08/2019 at 5:16 am
Hello, my daughter is 17 and just about to start her 2nd year in college. She does plan to tk to university after this. Please can you tell me when I can stop child maintenance for her?
KTR 24/08/2019 at 10:56 pm
If my son leaves full time education at 16, do CSA payments stop? And do CSA arrear payments stop also?
CookJay 23/08/2019 at 9:20 am
My son is 17 and going back to college while having a part time job do I still have to pay maintenance.
Washbag 23/08/2019 at 8:40 am
My daughter was 18 in July. She is going back to college in September to do a higher deploma. Will I have to keep paying the maintenance once she starts the coarse ? Up until she leaves.
Harry 22/08/2019 at 8:20 pm
My daughter is 16 and has left school. She has a part time job and is going to college to study. Do I still have to pay child maintenance and if so how long for?
Missy 13/08/2019 at 7:47 am
My son is 18 and may be going back to school resit some a levels should his farther still pay maintenance until he is 19 and whilst he is back at school
Jason 12/08/2019 at 6:33 pm
My son is 20 year old in November and finished college course in July 2019 do I still need to make payment went he can claim joe seekers allows
Mick 07/08/2019 at 6:45 pm
My 18 yr old daughter is working but I don't know if she is in further education or wether the mother still gets child benefit for her. How do I find out if i should still be paying csa?
Dave 06/08/2019 at 6:02 am
My child works and goes to college and is over 18. Do I still have to pay child maintenance?
Penfold 05/08/2019 at 2:08 pm
My son will turn 18 in November and plans to do another year a college. Do I still need to carry on paying maintenance for him or does it stop after his 18th birthday.
Thank you for any help.
SteJonno 02/08/2019 at 1:04 pm
Hi, I've a disabled son who is 15, he'd like to stay to do post 16 education. IE more than. 16hrs a week. I wanted to know are there exceptions for financial support to children with extra needs. Will I have to pay longer than that of a child who does not need additional care?
Stu 31/07/2019 at 12:05 pm
My son is 18 and has dropped out of college. He intends to work and the reconsider his options in a year. He will be working 20hours with a possibility of more. Do I still pay his mother?
Pete 30/07/2019 at 11:04 am
My 19 year old daughter is doing a course at college it's a diploma level 3 ( btec ) do I still need to pay child maintenance
Star 25/07/2019 at 10:13 pm
My 16yr old step daughter has a care order and has been giving a dorm through supported housing.She also recieves pip .The mother has the child benefit even though said daughter doesn't live with her.Also recieves c.s.a off us.Basically need advice as to do we still pay csa to the mother??cant find info anywhere about it.
Thanks
Liffelee76 25/07/2019 at 9:44 pm
I have been paying maintenance for my 3 children for 8 years. I have 17 in 3 months she is 18 living with her mother in full time education. I provide her with a car, mobile phone and insurance, she comes away with us on holiday a lot. My 15 year old son is now living with full time and my 21 year old is living with me full time. Do I have still pay maintenance to my ex? I also have an 18 month old daughter now with my current wife.
just me 16/07/2019 at 7:53 pm
My daughter is 15 not in education do i have to pay
Wayneoo 13/07/2019 at 6:44 pm
My daughter has left school and has started a BTEC course 2 days a week do I have to carry on child maintenance
Cleo B 12/07/2019 at 11:21 pm
Mattalf

We are currently going through the same thing, 18 year old step daughter meant to be at college not attending and actually working, while we are still paying CSA.

Child Support Agency say they take the customer word that they are telling the truth

Child Benefit say they take the customers word they are telling the truth

Benefit Freud team say they can’t help as we don’t have enough information due to lack of communication with the daughter.

Daughter has now missed that much college she needs to resit a year which means we will be forced to pay another year, even thou we’v already paid this year when she’s not been attending.

Pointed out the case to benefit team that In theory mam has been falsely claiming CSA and falsely claiming child benefit.

Next step is citizens advise unless any one else can suggest anything.

Can’t get anywhere with university as it’s Data Protection

Complete nightmare and no support from anyone
Dazza 08/07/2019 at 10:09 pm
If my 18 year olds at college and he's working at the same time do I still have to pay child maintenance
mattalf 25/06/2019 at 12:30 pm
Have just come off the phone to the CMS asking them who and what do they rely on for information as to whether or not i should still be paying Child Maintenance? The child i have been paying for since day one will turn 17 in July. I have no contact with either the child or his mother and am non the wiser as to where they live etc. CMS tell me that they are reliant on the mother updating them as to the child's current (if any) education and will only make their own checks should i have any doubts or suspicions that the child has either left school or is continuing with further education. I pointed out to them the zero communication and their whereabouts side of things to them which would make it impossible for me to check the ongoing validity of the payments and i asked if some form of educational evidence can be supplied to me to confirm that all is correct. They told me that data protection prevents them from giving me any further information so it would appear that i (and the CMS) are in the hands of the honesty of the child's mother? This can't be right surely? Can any advice/ideas be offered please?
Christine 18/06/2019 at 11:20 pm
My daughter left school at the age of 16 but she has never claimed any money from any government funding and hasn't worked a day but was meant to start college but didn't
I am still receiving cash from her father
But I also have 2 other children and the payment is all together
I know hes had a few jobs in which he is earning more but I haven't questioned the amount
He also stays with his new wife and her 2 children
And she also works
I'm my sons full time career so I dont work
Where do I stand with payments
We had our own agreement when he was only working 2 days a week which is over 2 years ago
Does her income and his income get added together and also do you think I should contact and see where I stand
I have the children 24.7 and they do not see there father
Could I get some advice plz
Kenny 12/06/2019 at 11:29 pm
I stupidly paid my ex wife "cash in hand" when she dropped the kids off. She has since stopped me seeing our kids even though I have a court order for weekends overnight. She went to the CMS stating she hadn't received a penny. I had to take a bank loan out to clear my "arrears", I was paying direct pay and never missed a payment but she then decided she wanted collect and pay. I followed everything the CMS have asked of me. They said continue to pay collect and pay for 6 months and we will change it to Direct pay again. I was paying direct pay for 3 months and today I received a letter that it's now going back to collect and pay on my ex's say so and they sent a enforcement letter to my work. I have never missed a payment and was actually paying a little more. I don't understand how my ex is allowed to keep changing this. Could anyone give me a clue please?
vfs 28/05/2019 at 2:54 pm
I have two children 18 and 15 that i pay child maintenance for
My 18 year old is going to flight school funded by a loan 50-50 by both parents the costs include living accommodation
Am i allowed to reduce my monthly payments as i would like to give him money directly?
Jay 14/05/2019 at 9:29 pm
I have paid child maintenance to my ex wife from the end of our decree absolute they were seven and ten at the time I have not missed a payment in 12 years my payments stopped for my older daughter when she got a full time job at 18 and worked full time, my concerns now my youngest daughter is now 19 in her last two weeks of college and works in a care home 42 hours a week her mother gets child benefit for her and £210 child maintenance a month from me and is also taking rent from my daughter as well should I stop my payments to her as I think she’s getting the best and both of all worlds in ways of payment and benefits
Gracielovedmebetter 11/05/2019 at 10:07 pm
My step daughter doesn't go to school, she refuses, she will be 16 in January. Does anyone know where we stand with CMS and if we can ask for evidence that she is receiving an education ?
Me1111 07/05/2019 at 8:27 am
Just wonder if my child is 16 and chooses not to live with his mother or father against his mothers wishes and by law it's his choice as he is 16 .. can he still claim csa from the mother even though she objects to this move he is still in last year of school and will be going back next year
Grebo 25/04/2019 at 9:29 am
My daughter is 19 ,,and is leaving collage after 3 years in June ,,when do I finish paying maintenance?
Ginger 24/04/2019 at 10:23 am
My daughter has been living at her father's for the past 4 weeks. She has stayed over night at mine a few times in this time. Not sure when she will come back to live with me. I'm I still untitled to child maintenance?
Sammy 17/04/2019 at 5:32 pm
My son turned 18 in September 2018. He joined the R.A.F. a few days later.

2 weeks ago I received a letter from the CMS concerning a review... some 6 months after his 18th birthday.

I wrote back advising 1) my son was over 18 2) He was in the armed forces.

Today I returned home to two automated letters, the first asking for me to complete a standing order and the second asking for £24 per week upgraded to £108 per week due to “arrears” which I actually don’t have any!

How can they now ask me for funds firstly 6 months after my son turned 18 and secondly now he’s serving in the armed forces!

It appears he’s old enough to be sent overseas to do all sorts yet I’m to still pay child maintenance when he’s a fully grown man!

Talking to them is like talking to robots so please advise the correct law in this.
Elly 14/04/2019 at 11:20 pm
When I split from my ex we agreed that he would pay maintenance until our son left school (be it 16 or 18), however our son will be staying in college education (A level equivalent course) until 19 now. Should my ex still stop payments when my son turns 18 or does he have to continue payments regardless of when we thought our son would leave education?
Sue 10/04/2019 at 6:45 am
My Daughter was 18 on the 23rd March she is still at school in 6th form full time, my ex partner did not pay her maintenance this month with no warning, can he do this... I was with the understanding that he had to pay this until she had left school. Please can you advise. He only pays a£100 per month.
smithy874 08/04/2019 at 8:44 pm
If my son leaves his course (just decides he has had enough) for which I'm still paying maintenance, is my ex wife duty bound to tell me. This is what has happened to me. My son left early Nov aged 17 and i did not find out until late February. What is her obligation of informing me? He subsequently started another mickey mouse course, so I did not pay maintenance for the 3 months that he did not attend his previous course
Also, do they need to have attended most of the course, as I also believe he bunked off the majority of this but to get the official information from the college is like getting blood from a stone.
Any ideas
Ab29 07/04/2019 at 9:22 am
My step daughter is 17 in may and doing hairdressing course at college do we still pay child support
BigT 02/04/2019 at 7:47 am
My daughter leaves school 6th form this summer her father says his last maintenance payment will be 28th may even though she hasn't finished her examsher ladt exam is 15th june 2019, but I'm told child benefit stops end of september does he still have to pay maintenance till september 2019
Pop 01/04/2019 at 2:31 am
My son lives with father my daughter lives with me son has started to work he 18 soon. daughter is 12 should my ex husband start paying maintenance now. Before it was I had one child he had the other other...
Sucker 21/03/2019 at 6:31 am
I'm paying 350 child maintenance my son going college
But he's only going 2 days 1 hr each day
So 2 hrs a week do i still have to pay his mother this money ? And he's working 3 days a week
Ant 20/03/2019 at 11:29 am
I was told by the CSA in 1997 to stop paying maintenance as I informed them that my sons surname had been changed, on his passport etc. 10 years later the CSA demanded all the arrears. I lost my house job and very nearly my family as I could barely support my wife and two young sons. I then began to pay what I owed.
My payments were due to finish in 2017, but received a statement showing a further 2.7k outstanding. I questioned thus and again I was told to cease payments because the calculations were to cover him whilst he was in college (2007-2009) I know for a fact he wasn't in college or registered because he spent periods of time with me, and was indeed a source of debate as I was concerned that he had no interest in going to college. Last week (14th March 2019) CMS called me demanding money, even threatening enforcement should I not comply with either full or agreed schedule. My questions
- should I inform HMRC of fraudulent benefit claims?
- CMS have said I have to prove his non registration, is this right?
- even with the instructions CSA gave me, can the CSM be demanding in this way?
- I have also gone back over statements and payments that have been made (I can show on old bank statements) are not showing and therefore not reducing the amount. Will I get a refund?
- the case was opened in 1997, my son was born in 1991. Should there be 6 years taken into account?
This is putting yet more strain as I have a son about to start university, and another son forging a carer as a sportsman but needs our complete backing to get him there.
In all honesty, my life insurance seems to be the best option to ensure everybody gets what they want!!!
Feefs 20/03/2019 at 3:30 am
In 2014 my ex partner whom I had my son with took the CMS to a tribunal to stop paying maintenance based upon shared care. He won the appeal and the monies stopped and I have an order to that affect; based upon shared care there will be no maintenance to be paid. In 2015 he took me to a small claims court to seek all monies back, this was dismissed along with the right to appeal. He took me back to court in 2017 (which has only just finished!) wishing to seek more custody due to my sons feelings and wishes to live with his dad more. Seeing the coercison my son was under I stood strong but eventually he had been so brainwashed I was left with little choice but to go against my whole being as a mum and listen to my sons wishes. I agreed for him to live with his dad an extra day a week. It went from 7/7 based upon a 2 week rota to 9/5.
Within a week my ex partner had contacted the CMS and I got a letter, out of the blue, saying I should pay £595 a month in maintenance. A revised amount of £398 came back from the CMS after I had clarified my details but as a single mum, also raising my daughter I cannot afford to pay this... it will cripple me financially, despite my ex partner and his wife earning almost double to what i do. What are my rights here? How can this be fair? Can he legally do this to me? I am really struggling.
Winnie 18/03/2019 at 6:39 pm
My son is 17 and lives with his girlfriend and her mother. I am still paying his mother child maintenance even though he doesn't live there. My son is in full time college. Am I still required to pay child maintenance?
Pistol 15/03/2019 at 12:56 pm
Hi I’m having Csa deal with my maintenance I’m paying I’m having my child more than 52 nights but the mother has denied this I all so have to stepchildren living with me and I have my own son who’s 17 living with me and they still asking me to pay money that I cannot afford I also have my grandchildren every Saturday so my daughter can work would having my grandchildren over affect my payments any information would be grateful kind regards
Ste 14/02/2019 at 6:50 am
So as it's not fully clear. My daughters A levels finish this year in the summer 2019. And she is 18 in August 2019. Am I right by saying as long as she does not re sit them that August the 1st will be the last payment to be made to her mother and funds can go directly to my daughter. ????
Kate 18/01/2019 at 6:54 pm
Does my partner still have to pay mataince if child is 18 and does not live at home? She is in college at the moment
Skyway 04/12/2018 at 8:51 am
My child is starting full time work this month she's 18....do I still have to pay child maintenance to her mother.....as we're not together... if I can I'd rather pay my daughter directly. ...many thanks scott
Amanda 27/11/2018 at 8:13 pm
My situation is somewhat different, for 16 yrs my children’s father refused to financially help, he saw the children whenever he wanted but even when I was struggling to feed them he refused to help and told me I need to get a 2nd and 3rd job. I went to the csa and for many years was updated with how much he owed but never got a payment! When the children were 16 although working long hours I was completely broke so he offered to take them in, mere days later the new and improved CMS wanted money and collection fees. I’ve paid this up to after the children moved out to meet with their end of August requirements. I’m now supporting my son as he basically kicked them out when their value had gone and the CMA have now got back in touch 3 months later to say they had an extra payment for him that was never disclosed to me and has accrued monthly interest... how is this fair!! I paid everything they told me to and never was an outstanding payment ever mentioned!
Even though I’ve been told my outstanding csa hasn’t been closed for what their Dad owes me they refuse to do anything about it or tie it up together when it’s the same children!
I feel like they’ll never go away! Their threats will never end, beyond hopeless and pushed to the edge
heyup 24/11/2018 at 11:04 am
Do I still have to pay maintenance to my daughter she is 17, she is not in college, we didn't go with the Child Maintenance Service, we sorted out an agreement between us about paying for my daughter.
heyup 24/11/2018 at 10:44 am
Do I have to pay maintenance to my daughter she is 17, she is not in college
Pat 18/11/2018 at 10:47 pm
My partners ex has made a claim with the child support agency for their 2 daughters who live with him..one is 17 and works 2 jobs and has not attended any school for over 2 years the other is 14 and is not employed and does not attend any school and has not attended any school for approximately 3 years..neither child intend to resume their education or schooling at any time and their father does not appear to be concerned a out this at all...it is my understanding that in order to qualify for child support,the child,or children for whom you are seeking child support for must be in full time education and proof of the school,college or university they attend must. E provided by the claimant,to the child support agency dealing with the claim...can you tell me if that is correct please?
Kaz 12/11/2018 at 1:09 pm
My child is 18 and only started claiming against both me and my partner as we’re both classed as absent parent she gets 22% from us. She left college in June and this month I stopped payments as she was no longer in college now she saying she’s in college and I have to pay I still haven’t heard back from maintenance services as I told them to provide the proof that she was in a college do I still have to pay her the months she wasn’t there please help.
Mac 02/11/2018 at 11:13 am
My child is 17 and has dropped out of college and is working full time, I m now unable to work but am not on benefits, do I still have to continue payment support
sazb46 24/10/2018 at 1:38 pm
Hi
My partners ex will not confirm if their son (who was 18 in march ) is still in education she has said he is taking a course at college (not A level) but there has been some discrepancy with regards to the dates he is starting college for another term.

We have asked for proof that he is attending college and she has just ignored our requests for proof. My partner has always made his maintenance payments for the last 8 years without fail and now we are just asking for proof that his son is in education in order that she continues to receive her maintenance payments?

What are our legal rights to obtain this information if the mother will not and surely if she is still taking payments from us this is fraud?
Mit 08/10/2018 at 1:45 pm
Hi could someone help I live with my parents my son is 15 and from the day he was born he has stayed with my parents he now wants to come and live here my x tells csa that my son does not stop with me he stops with his grandparents he is free to come and go how he likes .my x has her holidays and my son stops with nan and grandad they his life but when it suites her she will make him stop at home does the fact that he is at my parents home witch is also my home mean I still have to pay full csa thanks
Dee 05/10/2018 at 5:07 pm
My son pays maintenance and always as done to a child he doesn't have any contact with. He's now 16 left school was going in the army but decided not to go. Instead
Is apparently going to college. This as now changed to an apprenticeship with day release. How can he find out for definite what the child is doing is the mother in receipt of child benefit still. She's a scammer with kids from other dads too. There's nothing in place to help my son who as a family too. It's disgusting.
Brian 04/10/2018 at 10:40 am
My daughter left school at 16 and went into an apprenticeship. She has just turned 18 and is earning £600 per month so should I have been paying since she left school and do I still have to pay now?
Carlos 01/10/2018 at 12:51 pm
I am paying maintenance for my daughter who will be 17 in January. I have lost touch since December 2016. How do I know if she is still staying on in school ?
Tuds 28/09/2018 at 10:20 am
My ex is homeschooling my eldset (14) which is against my will. Does the fact he.is being homeschooled affect how much CSA i should pay either more or less.many thanks
Garry 21/09/2018 at 5:17 pm
My son was 18 on 3rd September, he did a year at A level and dropped out and started a level 3 diploma in college, do I still pay maintenance to his mother?
Alaina 19/09/2018 at 5:20 pm
Hi i was just wondering what age does a father stop paying maintence.
His kid is turning 18 soon & doing A levels - then off to uni next year.
We are unsure when the mintence payments get stopped.
Is when he turns 18?
When he leave school after doing his a'level?
Thanks.
DISNEY 11/09/2018 at 5:58 pm
Cms rang my husband to say his daughter continuing into level extended diploma anyway when he rang the college the course is not running but his ex wife have failed to tell the cms? The college told my husband all students have to go onto level 4 so he rang the csa back but they want him to prove this any advice thanks
DISNEY 10/09/2018 at 11:25 am
How long would it take for the CMS to write and close a case if my husbands daughter decides not to carry on with college this september?
LawAndParents Editor 10/09/2018 at 11:14 am
If your daughter's mother is in receipt of child benefit for your daughter, then you can assume that the course she's on is at the relevant level and you may have to continue to pay until age 20. Child benefit sometimes do spot checks on education etc.
34867 08/09/2018 at 1:28 pm
My son has dropped out of college he turned 20 do i still have to pay maintenance?
Cole 03/09/2018 at 3:39 pm
Hello,

My daughter is 19 and told me she was not going back to college. She has failed GCSE English for 3 years in a row. She told me she was not allowed to finish her course. She is on a 2 year level 3 Health and Social care course. She repeated the first year and led me to believe she failed again . I do not know if she did, she won't show or discuss any results with me. So I stopped my CSA payments. Then the CSA contacted me saying she is still at College. They said her mother says she is doing another year at College. I have paid up due to charges/fines etc. They said it is up to me to prove she is not in college. That I need to continue to pay. However if I over pay they will not refund me any over payment and I would need to approach my ex wife. However my daughter and ex wife won't communicate with me over the matter. I have contacted the College who will not tell me whether she is registered with them on a course due to data protection. I do not know what to do. I can't find out the truth and on the word of one woman (whom I know well when it comes to money, I overpaid for 18 months with my son. She told me I had to pay whilst he was on an apprenticeship and I believed her at the time - money is very tight for me on minimum wage and renting a room.
Hrj 30/08/2018 at 3:40 pm
Paying child maintenance options for my son who is 20 in March he stared Temp work in July should I still be paying Csa
Allie 28/08/2018 at 7:42 am
My husband pays maintance for a daughter he doesnt see or know..and has done for the last 8 years..it has come to our knowledge she has been in care of her nan the last year and we have been paying the mother..should we stop the payments..its not through csa its a standing order to her bank every 4 weeks
Mufc20 26/08/2018 at 7:21 pm
My daughter was 17 on June 17th has a full time job but gets visits from a college to her work,
I’ve always Paid to her mum
Do I still have to carry on doing this
If I stopped could she get CSA
LawAndParents Editor 22/08/2018 at 10:25 am
You may have to pay maintenance once your son starts college as you are not the parent with day to day care. You can agree an informal maintenance amount with the child's father, the child maintenance calculator will give you an idea of how much you might expect to pay.
Trish 19/08/2018 at 12:38 am
Hello my son is 16 and has decided to move in with his dad , my son works cash in hand at his dads employers and his dad takes between £20 to £40 a week rent from him , my son starts a college course in September, he’s stooped maintenance which is fair enough , do I have to now pay maintenance to him even though it was my sons choice to move there
Paul1111 18/08/2018 at 12:04 pm
I have 2 kids prior relationship aged 12 and 15 they both choose not to go to school haven’t been for a year do I carry on paying maintenance for them if they are not in school because there mum won’t get them into school
Nick 16/08/2018 at 3:37 pm
My daughter has turned 18, finished her A levels this summer, she is not going to Uni and is now looking for employment, I understood Child Maintenance ended when the child left full time education, however the Child Maintenance Service have said I must pay until she is 20 years old or untill she begins work, is this correct ?
Mic 15/08/2018 at 3:50 pm
My son is 18 he finished college in June he was doing a full time course, while he was at college he worked part time - hours varied some weeks as much as 30 my ex is refusing to pay the last month that he was at college because he said my son was working, is this correct? Child benefit carried on paying they knew how many hours he worked but said it didn’t matter because he was still in education. should my ex pay
LawAndParents Editor 14/08/2018 at 10:58 am
If your name is on the birth certificate you will have parental responsibility. If your son is in education of 12 hours or more per week at a standard no higher than A level or equivalent then you should continue paying maintenance.
Tim 13/08/2018 at 2:22 pm
Hello, my son turns 18 in November this year and he has a part time job also he studies part time at a media college, he was born in 2000 and his mum and I never married also I think because of this I do not have parental responsibility. Should I still be paying child maintenance?
LawAndParents Editor 13/08/2018 at 10:23 am
The father will not need to pay maintenance if your son is undertaking a paid apprenticeship.
Polly 11/08/2018 at 9:35 am
Hi

My son was 16 in April and has now decided not to do A levels In September but to do a full time vehicle technician apprenticeship, this is paid at about £166 a week. He will also spend study time at college regularly. Does his dad still have to pay maintenance for his upkeep now kids have to stay in education until 18?? Many Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 10/08/2018 at 2:50 pm
Yes it is unfortunately. It is however, unusual for a child who is still at school at A level standard or below to be asked for "keep". A part time job is usually to supplement anything given by the parents.
LawAndParents Editor 10/08/2018 at 2:32 pm
Yes maintenance will be payable until 31st August.
Jezza 09/08/2018 at 11:32 pm
Hi

My daughter is 18 on Sunday and doing her 2 year of A levels. She has now got a part time job and pays my ex £80 keep a month. So now my ex is getting said amount of me and £80 of daughter, is this right?
Confused 09/08/2018 at 7:42 pm
My daughter is waiting for A level results. I’m still receiving child benefit. Am I still entitled to child support payments for her until the start of September?
LawAndParents Editor 08/08/2018 at 1:39 pm
If he is studying something at a similar level (i.e NVQ 3) to A level or below, you should continue paying maintenance until the course finishes or age 20 if that's earlier.
Ingy 07/08/2018 at 7:10 am
Hello, I'm a bit confused about the child maintenance that I'm paying directly to the ex wife.
He is coming up 18, November,& he is at college more than 12hrs a week but not leading on towards A levels.
Should I still be paying his child maintenance ?
LawAndParents Editor 31/07/2018 at 10:44 am
Yes if the course has finished, maintenance is payable until 31st August. Child Benefit will then stop unless the course continues for some reason (i.e your daughter has to re-take elements of the course)
Disney 30/07/2018 at 7:54 am
My step daughter has confirmed on social media she’s passed her level 3 course in college but her friends who also took the same course finished and passed this in may and the started employment as the college must have placed them in employment which is what she told us two years ago when she started the course but since then she will not talk to us so the contact has gone. I’m confused as there is a third part of the level 3 an extended diploma which I assume she will go onto as her Mum will not want to lose our csa payments plus all her other benefits but there maybe a small chance she may also
Be in employment? Any advice how I would find this out? And if she was working when would they have to cancel the child benefit plus she is at the moment on a girly holiday which again we have to pay for! Whilst she is away we won’t get a weeks reduction off so we have to pay for an 18 and half year old that goes out drinking boyfriends etc but in the governments eyes she’s a child! Any advice more on the child benefit works would it automatically cancel end of August or does the parent with care have to ring them and cancel? We have spoken to the csa and they said she may cancel child benefit by end of august? Thanks
Vix 25/07/2018 at 8:12 pm
Hi my daughter is 18 waiting on a level results. What month should the maintainence payments stop from her father
LawAndParents Editor 23/07/2018 at 12:30 pm
If your son no longer lives with his mother, you will not need to continue with maintenance payments.
Alex68 19/07/2018 at 6:04 pm
My son has just turned 18,ex wife has thrown him out of the house and he is spending time between me and his friends.do i still pay her?
Richo 17/07/2018 at 3:30 pm
I am still paying child maintenance for my son for whom is 28 years old, a father himself, I was taken to court and ordered to pay a substantial amount approx £23000.00 which I did the agency after the court amount was paid still pursued me for the rest of the arrears they said I owed. I pay £150.00 per month back to them and a balance came in last week still saying i owe near £10000.00 what can I do are they correct in this who can i seek advice from
Shazza 17/07/2018 at 10:02 am
My ex husband and i had an agreement when we divorced that he paid £40 a week for my son. He lost his job after a time and dropped payments only to resume to pay £20 . My son is now in further education and he has a disability. I am still recieving child benefit. But his father has stopped maintenance payments since beginning of june. Told our son he was to have his own bank account but i have not seen any paperwork to back this up. He never told me he was going to stop payments is this legal???
Worriedmum 16/07/2018 at 11:20 pm
My daughter 13 has just gone to live permanently with her Dad, There is a resident order, which he always had good contact. 4 nights a fortnight and half holidays. Now she wants to live with him, without any contact with me following her being told off for hurting her brother. I also have two younger children. A change in the order was not agreed by me, but he is turning her against me. He was threatening to take me to court, but hasn't and has just done what he wants. Now I do not know what to do. I've let her go and hope she sees the grass isn't greener. But he will spoil her and of course gets time alone with her without her brothers. I get child tax credit for all three children. But not sure if I will now qualify for her? which will also mean that I loose free school meals for her and maintenance. He doesn't qualify for it as he earns too much. I'm on a low income. Will I end up having to pay him? Do I have to tell tax credits even though she should be here?
Babs 16/07/2018 at 7:38 pm
My step daughter lives with her mother

She has just left school and she has been working in a hairdressers and in school holidays

She has decided to go to college part time and has a part time

Does maintenance still have to be paid
Kealey Thompson 15/07/2018 at 2:24 pm
Hi my partners daughter went to college then left went to work now left work and going to college again does he have to start paying her again?
TJ 09/07/2018 at 8:10 pm
My youngest daughter (16) will be residential at college mon-fri each week for 2 years. She will be at home friday night to Sunday night each week and in college holidays. Does her dad still have to pay maintenance? Plus does he have to pay half of the residential fees (£500 a month) for college which covers her food and lodgings at college? I think he should pay half the college fees plus some maintenance to cover the weekends plus college clothes and other college materials.
Mia 07/07/2018 at 1:13 pm
My daughter is 16 and is starting an apprenticeship which is paid at minimum wage and one day at college per week. Should I still legally have to pay CSA payment ?
Nikki 05/07/2018 at 8:57 am
When our marriage broke down 6 years ago both of my children lived with me. My ex paid me child support for both children. I had to move away due to work and my then 16 year old daughter did not want to come so moved in with her dad. Once this happened he stopped paying maintenance to me for my son who was then 13 years old. My daughter is now 18 and working. We have both since remarried. Should my ex husband be paying me any money for my now 15 year old?
LawAndParents Editor 02/07/2018 at 11:30 am
As with Child Benefit, maintenance usually stops on 31 August on or after the child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training.
LawAndParents Editor 02/07/2018 at 11:26 am
Yes, child maintenance should be paid until 31st August after a child has completed study at A level standard.
Alski 01/07/2018 at 11:09 pm
Hi my son was always home tutored so never been to main stream school he was 16!in may and started work full time beginning of June .. am I right in that I have to pay till end of August
Anon 01/07/2018 at 9:48 am
My son finished his A levels last Tuesday and I was expecting a payment today but it hasn't arrived, I am in receipt of child benefit and understood both payments stopped on August 31st..
Mike 30/06/2018 at 8:25 pm
Hi,
My son is 17 . He has left school and working . Do I have to pay maintenance until 31st August?
Anon 29/06/2018 at 8:08 pm
My stepson who is 18 has just finished college. He is waiting for his results and doesn't yet have a job. His father last paid maintenance in May and now says hes not paying anymore. Does he need to pay until September like the child benefit or is he in his right to stop now?
LawAndParents Editor 29/06/2018 at 3:28 pm
Yes you may have to recommence payments once the BTEC course starts as long as it's not a higher level BTEC.
LawAndParents Editor 29/06/2018 at 10:58 am
The maintenance payments should continue until 31st August.
Azo 28/06/2018 at 7:26 pm
Hi, my daughter just finished A-level exams last week, her dad said this month is his last maintenance payment but I thought it was September when she goes to Uni, where can I find out for sure?
Nath 27/06/2018 at 9:35 pm
Hi,
I've been paying maintenance for about 8 years. The payments have stopped due to my son (aged 17) as he quit college and got a full time job. He has now applied and got on a Btec course for September, so should I start to pay maintenance again once he start the course?
Many Thanks.
LawAndParents Editor 27/06/2018 at 3:07 pm
The best thing to do is to contact CM options for advice. If your ex is refusing to pay maintenance, you may have to ask CMS to take the payments on your behalf.
LawAndParents Editor 27/06/2018 at 3:00 pm
You do not usually have to continue payment maintenance once your child finishes further education at Alevel standard or below. If your son has finished an course such as 6 th form, payments may continue until 31st August.
LawAndParents Editor 27/06/2018 at 2:59 pm
Sometimes a change in your circumstances will affect your CMS payments. The Child Maintenance Calculator should help.
LawAndParents Editor 27/06/2018 at 2:27 pm
Do you use the CMS service? If so, they should be able to look into it for you.
Anita 27/06/2018 at 12:00 pm
Hi just a quick question. My ex husband texted me this morning tell me he has cancelled my maintenance money for myself which is only £5aweek. Saying he had to as he has got huge bills to pay what can I do about this by law. As he has not long started to pay me. As I've remarried again and he said he would give e me maintenance that I should have. We have a daughter he's not long paid for her she is 13only started to pay for her when she was 12.please say he can't do this as it will not help me as over the month £20is a lot for me to loose
Sadie 27/06/2018 at 11:17 am
My son is 18 has done the 2 years further education and due too start a apprentaship which one day is at college out of 5 .do I still pay child maintenance.
If he stayed on for a further 3 years at college would I still have too pay child maintenance. Up too the age of 21.
LawAndParents Editor 27/06/2018 at 11:14 am
Maintenance payments will stop if the child is on an apprenticeship/in employment unless a private arrangement is in place between the parents.
Sadie 27/06/2018 at 8:07 am
My son is 18 left college and about too start a apprentaship which one day is at college out of 5 .do I still pay child maintenance.
Emma 27/06/2018 at 12:00 am
Hi, I have a 15 year old daughter. I’m about to move in with my partner, will her child maintenance payments change as I’m moving in with someone else or will they stay as they are?
TonyTJ 26/06/2018 at 6:05 pm
I don't see my ex or my child who has just turned 18, how do I know if my ex is still in receipt of child benefit? I have no way of knowing so do I have to pay till my child turns 20 to be safe
Many thanks in advance for any advice
Mini.s 26/06/2018 at 12:34 pm
Hi my step son is in full time employment apprenticeship. Will we still have to make payments or will they stop now he is in full time employment thank you
LawAndParents Editor 26/06/2018 at 12:27 pm
Maintenance is payable until a child reaches 16.
LawAndParents Editor 25/06/2018 at 3:00 pm
Is she on her summer holidays? i.e due to go back for a further year in September? If she's finished her course, maintenance can stop after 31st August.
LawAndParents Editor 25/06/2018 at 12:57 pm
Child maintenance stops at 16 unless a child is in further education at a standard no higher than A level.
Waggy 25/06/2018 at 9:33 am
Hi my daughter left school st 14 do I still pay csa
Nic 23/06/2018 at 5:46 pm
We pay csa but my partners daughter was 18 on September but going to collage but since June she is no longer going and she is working ?
Lostmother 22/06/2018 at 3:09 pm
hi,

My daughters decided to leave my home and me to find a life with the father that deserted them 16 years ago and never paid a penny of maintenance the entire time i had them. The thing is he has not even taken them himself but made them live with a distant family member of mine. They choose to not have anything to do with me now. No contact what-so-ever.
The younger has just turned 16 and finished high school, she is apparently working part-time. She will not be attending further education.
I pay this family member money every month( Besides the fact that everything was signed over ie child benefit etc , when they left) It was set as a personal agreement from my part -but its been 2 years now
If she is no longer in school (and Working)
Do i still have to pay ????besides the hurtful fact they they want nothing to do with me but are happy to take my money.
would like to know where i stand.

Any form of help and advice would be appreciated.
LawAndParents Editor 22/06/2018 at 2:34 pm
You will not usually need to continue maintenance payments once your stepson starts the apprenticeship.
Gail 21/06/2018 at 6:25 pm
My stepson left college in May. He is due to start an apprenticeship in July - this includes college one day a month. He is currently 17 and will turn 18 in October. At what point do we stop maintenance payments for him ?
Daz 19/06/2018 at 1:34 pm
My son is 17, 18 in Nov 2018. He was in college fulltime but left to start a fulltime job, he decided to leave his job after a couple of months, am I now liable for maintenance again?
LawAndParents Editor 13/06/2018 at 3:24 pm
This is usually 31st August although if you have a private agreement to the contrary. the payments may continue further
Headache! 13/06/2018 at 7:42 am
My daughter is playing up big time, even to the point where social services are considering care, she is sixteen and had been living with me for past 4 years but of recent returned to her mum's for a week then was staying at friends. To cut a long story short she is now staying at her aunts. Do I and he mum both pay child maintaince, does she have to adopt her because of no parental responsibility?.
Tom 12/06/2018 at 7:43 pm
Hi my daughter is 18 next February...she goes to collage 3 days a week and works in a beautitions ruffely 3 days a week...I can't find out any details off my ex partner ..we have an arrangement through the csa ..should I still be paying and what happens when she's 18 .thankyou .much appreciate any help
LawAndParents Editor 12/06/2018 at 3:41 pm
Yes that's correct unless you have a private agreement to continue paying maintenance through university etc.
LawAndParents Editor 11/06/2018 at 2:35 pm
The father is, unfortunately for you, correct in that maintenance payments only remain payable while a child is in full time education/child benefit is still being claimed. If you son's conditions mean he is officially disabled, you should take a look at the Turn 2 Us benefit calculator to see if there is any benefit your son can claim or that you can claim as carer.
Tim 11/06/2018 at 2:07 pm
My son turned 18 in February this year and will complete his college course in July. Am I correct in saying that maintenance payments would continue up to August 31st.
Joops50 10/06/2018 at 4:05 pm
Hi my daughter is leaving school this month (June 2018). She is starting an apprenticeship in September. Do I still have to pay maintenance?
Jason 10/06/2018 at 12:08 pm
Good morning, my son is 16 and was told to leave his home by his mother just over 4 weeks ago, he had been staying with a friend of his mums on odd days but the majority of time is staying at one of his friends, social services are involved, I used to pay money via CSA but a few years ago we made an agreement and I pay his mum direct, my question is as he’s not staying at home and I still pay her and I believe he’s not benefiting at all from my contributions, do I need to continue to pay her money?

Regards
Jason
Bunter77 10/06/2018 at 10:00 am
Hi - my step son is 18 and finishing college next month, he will be attending university in September. When does my partner stop child maintenance payments to his ex?

Thanks in advance

B
Kat 08/06/2018 at 4:05 pm
My son is 16 in July he has had schooling on line for two years as he can’t manage school he has Tourette’s and anxiety. He has finished now and there is no provision for him to stay in education or get a job. I have given up work to care for him. As he is not in education we can’t get child benefit and my ex husband says he no longer has to provide for him till he is 18 is this right?
LawAndParents Editor 08/06/2018 at 3:14 pm
No maintenance is only payable while a child is still in full time further education at a standard no higher than A level.
Andrew 07/06/2018 at 8:09 pm
I am currently paying maintenance for my 16 year old daughter who is saying she is going to live with her boyfriends family. Does that mean that both my ex and myself will have to pay the money to the boyfriends family (which makes no difference to me). What about child benefit?
Any guidance would be appreciated

Andrew
fedup 07/06/2018 at 1:46 pm
My stepson is 17, my husband paid maintenance with out fail every month while he was in school & further education. He left further education and started a full-time apprenticeship in which my husband stopped paying maintenance because my stepson was also paying his mother keep. My stepson has now left his job and is no longer working or in education so his mother is no longer receiving money off my stepson or my husband and her new husband has recently left her so she is hounding us for maintenance. Do we have to pay maintenance for our stepson who is no longer working or in education at the age of 17 and is just lounging about at home?
LawAndParents Editor 06/06/2018 at 3:44 pm
This depends on what her plans are for September and whether she has a job/or parent with main care is still in receipt of child benefit. It's certainly the case that when A levels finish, maintenance is payable until 31st August.
LawAndParents Editor 06/06/2018 at 3:07 pm
You should continue to pay child maintenance until 31st August this year.
LawAndParents Editor 06/06/2018 at 2:28 pm
Does your private arrangement state when maintenance payments will stop? If not then the normal CMS rules will apply, i.e. Your daughter will be considered as being in full time education until the end of August and you should continue maintenance payments until then. Maintenance will remain payable (until the age of 20) as long as she is undertaking her NVQ course (and it's no higher than level 3).
Coops 05/06/2018 at 7:11 pm
Hi I have a private arrangement with my ex wife for child support for my 2 kids, my daughter is 17 and has quit her A levels early, she’s applying to start a Nvq at another college for the start of next school year, she also has a part time job, do I legally have to pay her mother for her?
Thank you
BB 02/06/2018 at 1:39 pm
My 17 year old dropped out of her A- levels on May 11th - when does the Maintenance service stops?
I have heard it may go until August but Schools don’t break up until July and the child dropping off at school before end of May since a bit of a long way to believe it should be paid until August.
Please let me know.
Thanks!
Just me 02/06/2018 at 3:18 am
Hi, my child has turned 18 in May of this year and is also finishing collage/further education. Do I still have to pay the mother?
LawAndParents Editor 30/05/2018 at 3:48 pm
If he is no longer in full time education and there is no other private court agreement in place referring to maintenance then no it doesn't need to continue. (Obviously maintenance should still be paid in respect of the 16 year old).
LawAndParents Editor 30/05/2018 at 2:56 pm
This is usually 31st August.
Jaybo 27/05/2018 at 2:52 pm
My son has run away from home for good reason, he has been with me for a week, I have decided he will live with me, pendong other things, his mum has constantly badgered me for her CSA money and it's all she cares about, I rang the CSA and they told me I don't have to pay, just want to know more please.
Logs 27/05/2018 at 2:14 pm
Should I continue to pay maintenance to mum?

I have been separated from my ex partner and two children 16 and 18, for 13 years.
I still have regular contact with our children and have always paid maintenance.
My 18 year old son started college last year but dropped out recently.
He has been troubled for several years, been statemented and for the last 9 months, no longer lives with his mother.
My son struggled to get on with his mother at home and did not want to live with me.
After an incident at mum's he ended up in sheltered housing and is now unemployed. He is registered unable to work through stress and as far as I am aware, he gets housing allowance and PIP.
I still see my son and as I always have throughout his life, still support him with transport, money, advice and now with help seeking work or training.
I do not want to speak to mum about ending his regular maintenance payments until I understand the law on this.
I would now prefer to use the monthly maintenance money to choose how I can preferably help my son directly.
Jacky5 26/05/2018 at 5:24 pm
My son was 18 in September 2017. His father is paying £200 a month maintenance. At the moment he is studying for his A levels. He went on study leave 11th May and finishes his A levels the 22nd June. When should he stop paying maintenance?
Cookingmite 25/05/2018 at 11:46 am
My wife left me with our kid last year and never paid any thing to me now my kid has turned 16 she went to live with her mum and her mum wants me to pay her my kid has just started work at next and gets payed 400 evey five weeks so do I have to pay as I never got anything from when she was living with me
w
LawAndParents Editor 25/05/2018 at 11:04 am
Maintenance payments usually continue until 31st August after the FE course completion.
Maggie 24/05/2018 at 12:11 am
My daughter goes to act training and have placed her in a job working 24 hours a week and getting paid to do so .should I still receive child benifit and child matenance
Vic 22/05/2018 at 6:20 pm
My step daughter is 18 and finshes her FE course at the end of June. She had a part-time job that she may do more hours once freed from her course. I presumed this would be the point at which her mother would stop receiving child benefit for her and we would stop paying her mother the maintenance for her, but not her brother who is 17. From what you say above it looks like we may have to pay until September (we have had to atake a mortgage break to make the payments since the new calculation and some personal changes in circumstance that are not considered relevant to the CM). We also have two younger daughters, which paying for anything for them has become an issue, again not the CM'S problem. Any advice appreciated thank you.
LawAndParents Editor 22/05/2018 at 3:12 pm
We can't really comment on specific cases as we are not in possession of all the facts/circumstances/
Disney 16/05/2018 at 4:38 pm
My husband pays csa under new scheme so last years review they told him a weekly figure he couldn’t go over without paying more this review in may they said his weekly figure £5 less but his monthly has gone up by £80? I thought as we were £5 under the 25% our monthly payment would stay the same? Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 09/05/2018 at 3:03 pm
This is something you will have to agree on between you. There are no set "rules" about who does what in these cases unfortunately. If you cannot agree you could attend mediation followed by court where the judge would help decide on what is reasonable both financially and practically.
GC 08/05/2018 at 11:19 pm
Hi, my partner left me after 18 years of being together last Nov. We have three children 12, 10 & 8 who I see regularly each week (one night in the week and then one/two nights at weekends) and as I am a school teacher for 13 weeks a year we have agreed to have 50/50 split of childcare in the school holidays but I will continue to pay the £440 per month maintenance agreement every month.

As my ex-partner is the main day to day to carer for the children, what happens if one of the children is off sick from school? Does this mean that she has to take time off for the day? She has asked me to give her more money if the children are off sick but I already pay her that amount each month for her to budget and do with as she see's fit or that I take the time off unpaid to look after the child/children so she can still go to work and earn so she doesn't lose money.

Any advice please?? I have told her I cannot give her any more money than she is entitled to and I will try and support with family members to see if they can look after the child at all if this occurs but she feels this is not suitable and only money to make up for her loss of earnings will suffice, However, I explained that when she decided to leave me that I cannot support in that way anymore but will do everything else I can.....help please!
LawAndParents Editor 08/05/2018 at 3:12 pm
Yes if the course he's studying is at a standard no higher than A level.
Andy 06/05/2018 at 7:03 pm
My son left school at 17, he is starting a second year at college
Do I still continue payments till he finishes a second year at college
Ged 04/05/2018 at 8:51 pm
My son is in full time education,between me and him we have set him up in buisness to earn good money when he has time off/Mon afternoo/full day we'd and friday/ and after 4 all days.he does work he has generated and a lot is what I pass off to him.

Do I have to still pay maintenance to his mother,he is 18.....19 in January.....and finishes college in June.....starts uni Thursday only in Sept hence the buisness set up to help him thro.also works sat at a local store?
LawAndParents Editor 02/05/2018 at 2:50 pm
Those kind of extras are something that you have to agree on between you. If you cannot come to an agreement, you may have to consider using a mediation service.
Paul 30/04/2018 at 10:27 pm
I am currently paying twice the recommended amount to my ex partner in maintenance for my daughter based on my net monthly earnings. In September my daughter will be attending a residential course (Mon - Fri) term time at an FE college in Gloucestershire. My ex says I have to pay half of the maintenance (food and accommodation only) for the college cost and still maintain my current full payment to her even though the college will be providing food and accommodation five days a week for 35 weeks of the year and pastoral care. The college is not a ‘Public School’, but a state FE college and there are no tuition fees as she is state funded under 18 years of age.
Please could you help as I cannot afford both as half of the monthly cost to the college is over £300 (my part) I have my daughter every other weekend and half the school holidays as in a court order. Also every other Tuesday she stays with me.
Thank you for your help.
Paul
LawAndParents Editor 30/04/2018 at 3:41 pm
Maintenance is not usually payable for a child if they are claiming for a child of their own.
Love family 10 28/04/2018 at 9:21 pm
Step daughter is 18 she had baby 4 months before 17 birthday she claims child benefit n child tax credit for baby no maintenance order in place father pays direct to mother. she’s in college tricky question should he pay the mother maintenance for daughter if she’s claiming own money n not dependent on her mom?
Scottishbikers 26/04/2018 at 6:17 pm
I paid for my son who turned 18 in April religiously since 2007.
The old Csa ended my arrangement in January..His Mother has just approached me saying we need to sort out Csa , can she start a new case against me as hes now 18 ?
Hes going into advanced education after the summer holidays so i wont have to pay then anyway.
She has plenty of money now and is just looking to make things uncomfortable for me.
LawAndParents Editor 25/04/2018 at 3:13 pm
Is a court order/financial agreements order in place? Is the CSA involved? If there not, then your husband could continue paying maintenance but to the person who is looking after the daughter (assuming she is in full time education).
Salbeethinkin 23/04/2018 at 8:28 pm
Hi, my son is 17, 18 in a few months and started and been expelled from a'levels and then started a new college course but now quit. Should I still pay maintenance? It's a direct payment to my ex.
Craftyrach 23/04/2018 at 8:06 pm
My husband is currently paying for 2 children aged 15 and 17. The 17 yr old no longer lives with her mum and now lives with boyfriend and his family. She doesn’t see her mum but she receives all the money and never passes any one to 17yr old. Can we stop and split the payment so 1/2 goes direct to his daughter until she turns 18?
LawAndParents Editor 16/04/2018 at 11:56 am
We're not aware of a minimum amount being in place, sorry. In general if you are in arrears, the CSA or CMS should try and negotiate a repayment schedule with you. They usually aim to collect all the arrears within two years and can ask you pay up to 40 per cent of your income, depending on your circumstances and other financial commitments.
LawAndParents Editor 13/04/2018 at 2:23 pm
There are no cut and dried rules relating to this kind of situation. If both parents are on the birth certificate there is joint parental responsibility and they need to simply agree to jointly support their child (assuming she is not employed and/or claiming benefits in her own right). Maintenance payments are only usually applicable to parents with main care.
tony 13/04/2018 at 11:51 am
hi i have stopped being liable for csa payments but have some arrears what is the legal min payment for these to be cleared thanks
Betty 11/04/2018 at 11:17 pm
Hi, I need help. My partner's daughter lived with us for few years and her mum was paying us the CSA for her. When she turned 16 she decided to leave and live with her boyfriend and his parents. Now his mum is asking for money. Who is responsible for paying ? My partner who hasn't got parental responsibilities for his daughter or her mum or both parents?
LawAndParents Editor 09/04/2018 at 3:26 pm
Tell CSA that your son is in the army to start with. They should be able to verify whether this is in fact the case. Maintenance is only payable while a child is still in further education at a standard no higher than A level.
LawAndParents Editor 09/04/2018 at 9:55 am
In general maintenance is payable until a child finishes full time education at a level no higher than A level/equivalent.
Paul 08/04/2018 at 11:44 am
My son, who is 18, lives with his mother, he once lived with me for 10 years as I took her to court for basically being a not so good parent, I received nothing from her in 10 years, now he is 18 he chose to go back to his mother, straight away she got in touch with the csa, as I am not the main carer anymore I am struggling to get info whether he is working or still at college, all I have heard is that he is doing army training, and left college. I have no problem is paying what I have to but I got a msg from the mother last month saying to stop paying her, but then a call from the csa saying I've stopped paying her? So she had obviously reported me?? Trying to get me in trouble springs to mind! Oh and my older son, who has spoken to her, saying that she has said she is going to milk me dry?!? Someone pls help.
LawAndParents Editor 06/04/2018 at 3:22 pm
Maintenance is not usually payable if the child is doing an apprenticeship. A private agreement might have different arrangements though.
Tib 06/04/2018 at 9:33 am
My son turned 19, in march 2018 and is still in full time education untill june 2018, is his dad still to pay for him untill june 2018 or should payment stop now my son is 19?
jw 06/04/2018 at 8:12 am
My partners daughter has left school and started an apprenticeship working approx 35 hours a week, does he still have to pay maintenance?
He has being paying maintenance through a mutual agreement with his ex not through CSA
LawAndParents Editor 04/04/2018 at 3:39 pm
It would be better to contact the CMS and Child Benefit about this. They will do a recalculation based on the amount of time your son spends at home etc.
LawAndParents Editor 04/04/2018 at 10:12 am
This depends on your financial circumstances. The Child Maintenance Calculator is a good place to start.
Prices 03/04/2018 at 4:43 pm
My son is 16 and has finished school he is not working so am I still entitled to child support from his father ?
Ellie102 03/04/2018 at 11:02 am
Hi, my 14 year old Son may go to military college in 2 years time. It is miles away so he will need to board. Does my ex-husband still need to pay me maintenance? Will I still be entitled to child benefit? Thanks.
malsa 01/04/2018 at 1:01 am
I have my children 4 days my x partner has them 3.can i still apply for any financial support from their father
Cazuchi 27/03/2018 at 5:39 pm
My Daughter who is 15 but will be 16 in july will be starting a full time apprenticeship after her 16th bday this july. Will I still have to pay my ex child support? My daughter will be earning about £150 a week. We have an agreement from 2004 which I have stuck diligently to. I meed this matter clearing up so I know my rights/responsibilities?
Va.Co 27/03/2018 at 3:04 pm
My partner has 3 children with ex wife and he has not seen them for a year. Their mother got a new partner and since then my partner has stopped being their father. Whenever he asks for information about school or even the photografs they take at school she refuses and has even said that the partner has more rights over the children than my partner. He still paying child maintenance to her but should he stops to pay because she said that he not longer their father and does everything to keeping away from his kids??Even when he calls to speak with them have always a problem or the kids cant speak with him properly because their mother is always around to listen everything.
LawAndParents Editor 27/03/2018 at 12:16 pm
Child maintenance is not generally payable if a child is enrolled on an apprenticeship unless the arrangement is a private one.
LSB 24/03/2018 at 4:23 pm
Hi my husband has a 17 year old daughter , that was at college , she has now decided she wants a apprentiship , my husband pays maintenance each month to his x wife will he still have to pay his x wife maintenance once his daughter is earning , through the apprentiship .... thanks LSB
Stacey 23/03/2018 at 9:22 pm
Hi I have 2 children and they stay at there dads every other weekend so 4 nights a month but my son has decided he no longer wants to stay at his so has stopped yet my daughter still does. My csa payments went down when they started staying at his so what happens now regularising my son who doesn’t now? Will my payments change??
Jay 14/03/2018 at 10:07 pm
Sorry, I guess there is a limit to comment size. Continued from below....

I got a divorce not long after, which my (ex)wife refused to even acknowledge the paperwork for. Since then I have had some sporadic contact with my daughter and ex-wife, all by Internet chat through Facebook, and some emails with my ex-wife. However, this quickly dried up and the last time I had any contact was over a year ago.

I found new employment in 2015, so I am able to take care of our daughter here again. During the time since our 2011 agreement, my ex-wife has said on a few occasions that she would send our daughter back, but each time coming up with some excuse not to go ahead with it. The last time this happened was June 2017.

However, now I have received another claim for maintenance, which was initiated on 31st August 2017, two months after last contact.

So (finally) to my questions.

As the original maintenance order was quashed due to our daughters abduction, is my ex-wife allowed to make a second, new claim, considering she has not returned our daughter to the UK as per the Mexican court order and our 2011 agreement?

My ex-wife committed a criminal offence by illegally removing our daughter without my permission in 2008, so even without a Hague case in my favour, would she be entitled to maintenance payments from me, even though I have tried to get our daughter back several times since?

In the new maintenance order, my ex-wife is demanding £875 a month. I only take home about £1180, so how much would she really get? I've looked at an online calculator and that said about £37 per week. Is that correct?

Will I have to pay, even though my ex-wife has made promises to send our daughter back, but then changed her mind, and also stopped contact?

I'm sorry for the 'wall of text' but I felt it important to give you the details, so you can advise me as best you can. I'll be going to the Citizens Advice Bureau for further assistance too, but I'd appreciate your views as well.

Jay.
Jay 14/03/2018 at 10:04 pm
Sorry for this long story, but I feel it's important to give the correct details before I ask my questions.

My wife abducted our daughter to Mexico in May 2008. I immediately made a Hague case for her return, which was granted to me by a court in Mexico in August 2008. The court ordered our daughter be returned to me in the UK, but my wife went into hiding and refused to comply with the court judgement. In February 2009 I received a notice to pay child maintenance, for which I sought legal advice. I wrote to the court explaining the situation and requesting the maintenance application be quashed. I heard nothing more about it after that, so I assume it was quashed.

In April 2009 I suffered a stroke which has left me partially sighted. Over the next couple of years my life got quite bad with the stress of having little contact with my daughter, the case having zero results (Mexico is REALLY bad!), and my recovery from the stroke. I lost my job because of my sight and was on benefits for several years.

During 2011, my wife and I were getting on a lot more amicably. In August 2011 she agreed to bring our daughter back to the UK and preparations were made. I (foolishly) was led to believe that, as we had agreed to their return, that we needed to stop all legal proceedings (in the UK and in Mexico), which would allow them to travel freely back to the UK. As I had no work, I had only a little money, but as long as I didn't need more benefits to support them, it would be fine.

Unfortunately, I had more medical problems, and one of my benefits was reduced. I was in a dark place and felt I had no option but to say they could stay for the time being. I felt I had no way to support them here, and my medical problems were not going to go away. It was then that I felt I had no option but to abandon the Hague case. In hindsight this was the wrong thing to do, but something I have to live with now, as I was told I can not make a another case. In my defence, I wasn't really in a fit state to make any decisions then.

I did send some money (most of my savings at the time, about £1000) for our daughters schooling, clothes, food, etc. However, I was furious to discover that my wife had not used the money for anything that it was intended for. Instead she had spent all of it on buying a car, which promptly broke down. She then started demanding a lot of money to repair it, AND for those things the original money was for. Of course, I only had her word for this.

Obviously things went from bad to worse after that. She was spending more money on herself, rather than our daughter, demanding more and more money, and contact became less and less, until it was practically non-existent. I ended up stopping sending any money because I had little contact, no control over when that contact happened, and no money as I was on benefits.

I got a divorce not long after, which my (ex)wife refused to even acknowledge the paperwork for. Sin
LawAndParents Editor 14/03/2018 at 3:42 pm
This can depend on other circumstances but if he takes a look at the goverment's Child Maintenance Calculator he'll get an idea of what he'd be expected to pay if they take it through the Child Maintenance Service.
Caza 12/03/2018 at 4:41 pm
My son has children all under 18 has separated from his wife and intends to have shared responsibility for the children will he still need to pay maintainance
chris 07/03/2018 at 9:21 pm
I have been divorced from my x for 7 years and the children live with her. I have always paid her an agreed maintenance amount based on the child support calculator. I have two children aged 13 and 17. My question is that my oldest son is actually my step son , he is NOT my paternal son. What are my rights regarding payment for my step son? Should I have to pay my x anything , as I have been contributing to his life since we were married and split.
KellA 07/03/2018 at 4:25 pm
Hi, my husband has a 13 yr old daughter who has been expelled from school and has not attended any education for 5 months now. Does he still have to pay CSA as she’s not in education?
LawAndParents Editor 07/03/2018 at 2:53 pm
(Assuming your daughter is in year 12) if she is in full time education of 12 hours or more, you as the main carer should be entitled to child maintenance payments.
Tacker 06/03/2018 at 8:18 pm
If my daughter is only going to school 2 days a week and is 16 an I still entitled to child support from my ex?
LawAndParents Editor 05/03/2018 at 1:53 pm
They have probably got this wrong, unless this is clawing back unpaid arrears?
Gump 02/03/2018 at 3:18 pm
My daughter left college last year and now is working but i have been told by child manatance that i still have to pay £360 A month upto age of 20....this is crazy as she is earning more than me
LawAndParents Editor 28/02/2018 at 10:53 am
Contact and maintenance are completely separate issues, so yes, a claim can be made for maintenance even though contact has been stopped. If you husband wants contact he could try negotiating with the mother via mediation or failing that a court order. Obviously, the older ones are old enough to decide this for themselves.
LawAndParents Editor 27/02/2018 at 3:00 pm
Were you making the payments through the CSA or a voluntary agreement. If the former, obviously contact them. If it was an agreement between you and the mother, you could just stop making payments now and accept that your daughter has possibly benefitted from extra money?
LawAndParents Editor 27/02/2018 at 2:01 pm
Try the child maintenance calculator as it's not a straightforward percentage and depends on other variables. Child maintenance should be paid until 31st August after your child finishes A levels really.
Emmie 26/02/2018 at 5:54 pm
Hi my husband had 3 kids with his now ex wife he use to c them until she asked for a lend of 20£ he didn't have it she cracked up wif him and told him he'd never c the kids again that was 14 years ago they're 17,16 and 14 she has her fiancé living with her she recently made a claim now money is coming out of r benefits we have 3kids of r own shud he still pay for kids who he doesn't see or talk too
Carpy 25/02/2018 at 10:00 pm
Daughter lives with ex wife,long story but have no contact, have heard off alot of people daughter 18 dropped out of college quite a while ago and is working.Have contacted college to ask when as in exact month and date so can calculate the over payments of maintainance , they cannot tell me anything at all Data Protection, ex wife will not answer calls or messages.So what do i do ?? a solicitor do they have the power to ask the college ???.................. anyone else been in this situation ???
Brutalfargus 25/02/2018 at 12:52 am
Hi
I wonder if anyone can help. I have 2 children with my ex wife and I have been paying her 18% of my net salary directly as an informal arrangement since we split. My eldest finishes his A levels in June and I have told my ex that I intend to reduce my maintenance to 9% of my cleared salary from July onwards. She has come back to me saying that I should pay 12% as that is the correct amount of maintenance for 1 child. I think this is wrong. Can anyone tell me who is right?
Mumof4 19/02/2018 at 4:11 pm
My daughter is 18 and starts uni in sept, she will be moving away. Will my exam husband still have to pay maintenance direct to her or will it just stop when she goes?
LawAndParents Editor 14/02/2018 at 2:30 pm
You will still have to make payments if you daughter is at college for more than 12 hours per week. Shared care may mean a reduction in payments is possible. If this is just an agreement between you it's up to you to agree any changes. If you were to use the CMS (CSA as was), you would probably find that shared care for two nights per week would reduce child maintenance by 2/7 (two sevenths). Check out the CM Options site for more information
Camps 13/02/2018 at 6:00 pm
Hi
My daughter is 17 completing a 3 year travel and tourism course at college, she is also working up to 20 hours a week.her my mother and myself have a monthly agreement.
Do I still have to make payments as my daughter also stays with us for 4 days every other week.
Could you please advise
Many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 09/02/2018 at 9:48 am
The maintenance payments won't stop until he's finished further education (A level standard or equivalent). Education can be anything from 12 hours upwards...and a part time job doesn't make any difference to maintenance payments.
Steveo 08/02/2018 at 4:45 am
My son is 17/18 in April 2018. He's at college apparently I can't confirm as we don't really know each other as his mother made sure I had no contact so as to maximise claim. He is also working as a waiter confirmed as the only conversation we've ever had. What difference does this make to how much I pay and when I finish paying.
LawAndParents Editor 06/02/2018 at 11:58 am
If he's registered on a college course and has not been dismissed from his current course, you must continue with maintenance payments.
adad 05/02/2018 at 11:23 am
HI
My son turned 18 recently
He says he goes to college just doing 1 course about 3 days a week.
But he never goes and he has been kicked off his past 2 courses .
So he is showing as going to college even though he never goes.
Where do i stand on stopping payments now ?
Thank you in advance for any guidance you may be able to provide.
LawAndParents Editor 31/01/2018 at 12:45 pm
If the CMS are arranging this, contact them first of all to see what they advise.
Michael 30/01/2018 at 5:00 pm
I have set up child maintenance payments to my ex wife through CMS but she has stated she will have nothing to do with CMS and has returned my monthly maintenance payments to me in full and says she will continue to do so while I have a CMS agreement in place. Once my ex wife has retuned the money to me what are my obligations? Do I need to keep the money for her in case she changes her mind at a later date or has she lost the right to that money as I did pay it but she has returned it. If I do need to keep the money for how long should I keep it for? Is there a point that she lo0ses her right to claim from me money I have paid but she has retuned?
bob 19/01/2018 at 9:40 am
my daughter is 17, 18 in May, and moved out after an argument, to live with her boyfriend, his mum is trying to get child maintenance off me, at 35.00/week. But my daughter is not at college and doesn't have an apprenticeship, and she has just got a full time job. I am in dispute with the child maintenance service about this, as everywhere i turn im told they cant claim from me, even someone told me that at the agency..is this right?
Cheekyenok 18/01/2018 at 9:06 pm
Hi we been paying my husband's ex since 2014 since vas got in touch he's never seen this child but set up a standing order to pay her we gave now found out that she stopped claiming child benefit for her son in Sept 2016 n so the child maintance should of stopped our payments to her .so we've paid 16 mths of miney to her she wernt entilted to n there telling us we won't get a penny back so she defrauded them n us in payments she shouldn't of had .where do we stand?
JC72 17/01/2018 at 2:32 pm
We pay my husbands ex girlfriend maintenance via CSA. His son is autistic and will start to receive PIP in April when he turns 16. His mum currently claims high rate DLA for him. Step son is staying in special school until he's 19 but won't be doing any qualifications, as he has learning difficulties. Will CSA payments cease if he claims PIP at 16, even though he's still in school, given that he won't be advancing to university/ college?
LawAndParents Editor 15/01/2018 at 1:44 pm
If her course is higher than A level Standard etc. A foundation year would be considered higher than A level and therefore you might not be expected to pay maintenance. You should check that financial support (e.g Student Loan etc) is available to you daughter.
LawAndParents Editor 15/01/2018 at 11:27 am
Maintenance is usually paid by one parent to the other parent with majority care. If you can't agree this between the two of you, you should consider coming to an agreement using a mediation service. If that fails, the courts can decide.
Mick 12/01/2018 at 3:31 pm
My Daughter, who will be 18 in April this year 2018, is currently doing her A Levels. In September she is hoping to go and do a 1 year Foundation Diploma at collage so will be 19 when she finishes. I’m currently paying maintenance, so my question is at what point do I stop paying ? After the foundation diploma she then hopefully will get a place at a University. My divorce paperwork states “until attain the age of 17 years or cease full-time further education whichever shall be the later”. I’ve checked the definition and a Foundation Course is classed as Higher Education, but not sure if this is right, even though it may be delivered by a Further Education College, so does this mean that I stop paying in September 2018 or do I need to pay for a further year until September 2019. Thanks in advance.
K8 12/01/2018 at 8:35 am
My daughter 15 decide after me selling my car and moving house for her to attend a private school. That she didn't want to live with me (I have full parental responsibility) it has been just the two of us for over a decade. I came home from work to find her gone. Her sad enrolled her in a school within 2 days and I have seen her about 3 times in 5 months (generally when needing clothes haircuts trainers money) I'm paid quite well as is my ex he has been demanding money from me (he has no parental responsibility) allows my 15 year old to smoke and drink and she is on the pill and stays over at her boyfriends. I financially support her and he brags I'm paying for double glazing in his house. Do I have to pay him?
LawAndParents Editor 09/01/2018 at 3:44 pm
Child maintenance should usually be paid directly to the parent with majority care.
LawAndParents Editor 09/01/2018 at 12:15 pm
If child benefit is no longer being paid and your daughter is not in full time education of 12 hours or more per week, then you should not need to continue with maintenance payments.
LawAndParents Editor 09/01/2018 at 11:51 am
As said below: "Generally if a child is over 16 and not in full time education, maintenance is not payable. You need to discuss what your daughter does next as the boyfriend's parent will not be able to claim Child Benefit indefinitely if she isn't in f/t education."
She clearly has no other means of support at the moment, so as a father you may want to continue paying...we don't know enough about your/her situation to be able to tell you any different. Perhaps you could talk to you daughter about this and find out what income she has and where from. If Child Benefit is still being paid then you will be expected to continue paying child maintenance.
Jelly 09/01/2018 at 10:51 am
My son is 16 years old and us at college full time. My ex husband has just reduced his maintenance because of a change in job. He is paying me half of the previous amount and paying £50 to my son directly, is this allowed?
Tp 08/01/2018 at 9:57 am
My daughter is 17 years old and has just given up college to work part time in retail.
Do I still have to pay child maintenance for her even though she is no longer attending college and her father is no longer entitled to child benefit for her.
sjnivs 08/01/2018 at 9:26 am
They are telling me that as shes not working, even though shes nearly 18, and not in full time education and doesn't have an apprenticeship either, that i still have to pay. Ive rang up twice now, the first time i was told, as you told me aswel, that i dont have to pay, and the second time, ive been told that i do! Which is correct, as im so confused?
Brownie 03/01/2018 at 6:19 pm
We pay child maintenance for my husbands daughter who is 16 and at college. However she is now expecting and the baby is due April so will be taking time out from college. Should we still pay maintenance?
Hannah 22/12/2017 at 12:00 pm
My husband pays nearly £300 to his ex girlfriend for his 14yr old daughter every month via direct pay but she is not attending secondary school as keeps getting permantly excluded and goes to ' naughty school' but again doesn't attend most days. She's now not even living at home with her mother who is still in receipt of monthly payments should we still be paying? Please help as we are financially struggling and have step change debt charity involved too
sjnivs 20/12/2017 at 1:19 pm
Thats what i thought, and she is co habiting with her boyfriend and his mother doesn't have parental responsibility either for her. Im not sure where to go from here, shes just being a stubborn 17 year old, who refuses to come home as i wont let her do as she pleases, and i banned her boyfriend from the house because of how he treats her..
LawAndParents Editor 20/12/2017 at 12:23 pm
Generally if a child is over 16 and not in full time education, maintenance is not payable. You need to discuss what your daughter does next as the boyfriend's parent will not be able to claim Child Benefit indefinitely if she isn't in f/t education.
sjnivs 19/12/2017 at 2:03 pm
my daughter, whos 17, moved to her boyfriends after an argument, and refuses to come home. I have just had a claim through for child maintenance for her from her boyf mother, who is also claiming child benefit for her. She is not in full time education, after leaving college, after a month, saying she wants to get a full time job, and isn't doing an apprenticeship, and doesn't even have a part time job at the minute. Ive looked into this and as shes not in full time education and is over 16, then i shouldn't have had the claim made against me, is this correct?..she still has her room and everything at my house, but refuses to come home, even messaging me recently saying i am no longer part of her life and to stay away!
Dave 18/12/2017 at 8:23 pm
Hi. My son is 18 years old and in full time further education. He currently lives with his mum and I pay he weekly child maintenance. My son is now looking at moving out and getting a house share with his mates. My question is: when he moves out, do I stop paying his mother the child maintenance and pay it directly to him or am I able to stop paying all together now that he would be supporting himself? I have no order to pay and have always had a word of mouth agreement with his mother. Many thanks.
LawAndParents Editor 15/12/2017 at 12:23 pm
You will need to pay until the end of his current A level course.
fred 12/12/2017 at 7:45 pm
My son is 19 in February and on a level 1 course at college.What age will I pay child maintenance up to? If he enrols in another course next September when he is 19 will I continue to pay until he is 20 ?
Tony 08/12/2017 at 9:54 pm
My son is 16 and at college. Can I now pay maintenance to him in an account, or do I still need to pay his mother?
Tracey 01/12/2017 at 10:39 am
My ex partner is a police officer working full time on an income of around £40,000.

He had an work related accident and was paid work related compensation and is registered disabled and had the disability badge for his car. He still works full time in the police.

In court his barrister claimed that he only has to pay £7 per child by law. He has our 2 sons living with him 17 and 14. I have the 2 girls living at mine 11 & 7. He agreed in court to pay £15 pw per child. £120 per month. He took me to court for maintenance and I earn £192 pw and have been asked to pay £22 pw. Which is based on income.

My question and concern is this. If i ask CSA to recalculate his income if he uses his disability and they uphold it I will still be paying my £22.00 pw and losing money from his agreement to pay £15 reducing to £7. I cannot afford the loss of payment.

Please can you give me advice. I'm at my wits end.
LawAndParents Editor 29/11/2017 at 2:57 pm
It might be worth having a look at the Child Maintenance Calculator to see what amount you should be paying based on your changed circumstances. If your ex disagrees to any proposed changes, then you may have to get the CMS involved (that's usually worth avoiding).
LawAndParents Editor 29/11/2017 at 2:55 pm
You will need to pay maintenance for as long as your son is in further education (up to A level standard or equivalent) - this can be up to 19 or sometimes 20.
LawAndParents Editor 28/11/2017 at 2:16 pm
If your daughter is no longer in full time education, you do not usually need to continue maintenance payments.
# 27/11/2017 at 11:53 am
My daughter is 17 she has a full time job and is no longer in education, do I still pay maintenance to my ex till she is 18?
Gilly73 26/11/2017 at 12:03 pm
I have 2 children living with my ex, son 14 & daughter 10 for which I pay maintenance by standing order of £340 a month mutual agreement. However my son had behavioural/suicidal issues & I begged and pleaded with her for him to come and live with me so I could sort him out. Eventually social services got involved and he has now come to live with me. He has been with me for 6 weeks and I am still paying the full amount out of a moral obligation even though my ex and I don't get along. However, the time has come to move on and want to know the best way forward. 1. Do I stop the full amount child maintenance payments as she has one child and I have the other therefore cancelling each other out.
2. Do I pay her half the £340 for my daughter & then apply to CSA for payment for my son because he is now living with me.
I am not bothered about any back payments I just want to know were I stand legally and above all do the right thing. Please can you help
Andy 26/11/2017 at 11:06 am
My son is nearly 19 he works part time as a barmen, he gets disability allowance and goes to college 4 days a week , how long should I be paying maintenance for him
SUNSHINE 22/11/2017 at 3:28 pm
Hi

My son is 19 , I have no contact with him or my ex apart from paying maintenace.

I have since found out that he has moved out of her house and is living in a flat.

I have been paying the ex the amount specified by the CSA/CSM by bank transfer.

As he has moved out should I still be paying ?

I cannot get confirmation that he is at college or in part time or full time employment apart from going over there and spying !

Is there anything I can do ?

Thankyou
LawAndParents Editor 17/11/2017 at 3:35 pm
It's generally not acceptable to stop maintenance payments on the basis of no contact. Are the payments being made into the mother's bank account? If so, the courts will have been able to trace her for the contact purposes surely? You should investigate this angle rather than refusing to pay.
LawAndParents Editor 17/11/2017 at 3:20 pm
Is he in full time education of 12 hours or more per week as well as his job? If so, you will need to continue with maintenance payments until his education (at A level standard or equivalent) has finished.
Tol 17/11/2017 at 2:45 am
In 2015 i approached the courts in order to track down the mother of my child or who has taken my child.

The courts tried to locate my child however were unsuccessful. They close the case to which I have paid for the last 27 months in excess of £250 per month.

I seemed some some legal advice and on the back end of that advice I wanted a 2nd opinion.

I was told at a hearing within a solicitors office that I have tried to track my child down and where we have been unsuccessful I should approach the Csa / CMS to notify them of the mothers abaconding, taking my child. They should pause or stop all payments unroll further notice. I have provided the relevant court document to prove the above however they have basically said that I am to still pay for my child?
Someone please assure me or go e me some advice to help assist my case. Surely i should not have to pay or should at least stop paying till the mother decides to notify of my child sure abouts (So that I can take her back to court for breaking the access agreement)
Berry 16/11/2017 at 10:25 pm
I been told to pay maintained for my son who is 17 and his mother claims benefits for him he works how much is he allowed to earn before the payments stop
LawAndParents Editor 15/11/2017 at 1:00 pm
Unless you have a private agreement (ratified in court) to pay for longer, maintenance payments usually stop when your child leaves full time education (of 12 hours or more per week) at A level standard or equivalent.
Name 14/11/2017 at 2:02 pm
My son turns 18 soon. I have paid the same payments all the time even when my ex started living with her current partner and I had a new partner. I now have 2 more children with my current partner but payments to my ex stayed the same. My son is studying at catering college 2 days a week but also works full time. Can I stop the payments when he reaches 18. He is also about to revive pip for a sight disability if that makes any difference
LawAndParents Editor 10/11/2017 at 3:45 pm
Maintenance is still payable while your son is in full time education (full time education is 12 hours or more per week) studying at a level no higher than A level standard. So probably yes, you should continue to pay maintenance.
Confused 10/11/2017 at 3:08 pm
I have paid maintenance to my ex for 17 years. My son is now 17 and at college for 3 days a week and he works in a job for 21-25hrs a week earning between £150-200 a week. he left school at 16 and was out of education for 9months and I continued to pay my ex over this time. Should I still be paying maintenance?
James 08/11/2017 at 8:42 pm
I'm paying as per verbal agreement since the split to my childs mother.

I've seen some conflicting information on the internet regarding payments or cessation of, with regard to the ex starting to cohabitate with her new partner - she is looking to buy a house - what are the legalities of this situation if he is, in effect living with my ex, and my child full time?

Kind regards

James
Snave 07/11/2017 at 6:43 pm
My partner pays the cms maintenance for his two children he does not see them, how does he know ow when the eldest leaves full time education as he contacted his ex and she said she will not tell him
LawAndParents Editor 31/10/2017 at 11:45 am
You don't usually have to pay child maintenance once your child is at university unless you have a private arrangement (which we assume you don't since your are using the CSA). It's worth trying to claim it back, but we don't know whether the CSA will cooperate sorry.
Fred 31/10/2017 at 11:16 am
In Feb My ex opened a CMS case to enact the 12 month rule and nulify court ordered maintenence.. he has since paid zero and when was told to closed his CMS case and has since I opened one been calling in with endless changes of circumstances to avoid paying.

The court ordered maintenence covered kids until finished university/ end of first degree / CMS do not cover degrees so essentially my kids have lost around £60k in court ordered parental support ... Is there anything they can do ?

Ex earns under £3k a week the level the government says CMS should deal with and likewise children's act cases say CMS should deal with it if earns under £3k a week, so I could go to court and theyd throw back to CMS anyway on basis his income is under £3k a week ?

What I do not understand is CMS do not deal with uni payments at all and dont deal with medical i syrance payemnts and other things cohrt order did so how can they nulify those parts ?
Confused 28/10/2017 at 3:45 pm
Hi. I have been paying child maintenance for sometime now. Am I right in the understanding that once a child goes to university I no longer have to pay csa payments?
As my child has been in university since last year and I have been making payments through the csa am I entitled to this back?
TW 25/10/2017 at 4:13 pm
My son is 17 years old and studying A-Levels at college. He stays at his girlfriends house approx an average of 5 nights a week, 1 night at his mothers and 1 night with me. Should I still be paying maintenance to my ex based on him staying with her once a week?
Pops 24/10/2017 at 5:01 pm
My 16 year old daughter has moved out from her mom's an moved I with "a friend". She has a home here with me but is refusing to go back to her mom's or come to mine. 1. Do I still have to pay CM to her mom/ my ex. an 2. Am I right in thinking my daughter can claim CM from us??
LawAndParents Editor 23/10/2017 at 3:38 pm
If she is undertaking a paid apprenticeship, child maintenance is no longer payable.
LawAndParents Editor 20/10/2017 at 1:00 pm
Maintenance is not usually payable if the child is in a paid apprenticeship.
Betty 20/10/2017 at 11:20 am
My partner's daughter has started an apprenticeship do we still need to pay her mother maintenance.
Bambi69 18/10/2017 at 9:11 am
PLEASE HELP
1. My 17 year old step son has been on an apprenticeship ever since leaving school. Over a year now. He goes to college 1 day a week from 8am - 5pm (9hours) but then goes to work for four days and is getting paid well over £100 a week, some weeks he gets just over £200 a week . Does my partner still have to pay maintenance to his ex ?
2. My stepson (same as mentioned above) even though he's 17 he's been staying at his girlfriends now at her parents home for over a month , so in my eyes I see it that he's not at home when maintenance is still be paid to his mother .
Can maintenance be stopped for both what I've mentioned or for one or the other

Please let me know as I have messaged before but no advice was given
Many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 13/10/2017 at 2:30 pm
When she starts the college course her mother will be entitled to child benefit. As long as she is studying a level no higher than Alevel or equivalent, you should continue paying. The easiest way to find out if she does start another course is to ask her?
LawAndParents Editor 13/10/2017 at 12:27 pm
You may still have to pay maintenance if his mother is still contributing to his upkeep. You might want to consider negotiating with your ex and paying the money directly to you son.
Moomoo 12/10/2017 at 4:58 pm
My 17 year old daughter started a college course September 2016 and dropped out December 2016 and has been working on and off. Is her mother still entitled to child benefit and do I still have to pay maintenance for her? She said she is enrolling for another course soon but how will I know if she do I don't have parental responsibility.
tad 12/10/2017 at 10:51 am
hi my son is 18 and in full time education and up to 4 months ago he was living with his mother and i was paying mainteance for him. my son has now moved out off his home and has gone to live with his friend and his family. they say that they can still claim from me is is true
Mumma Do the hump 06/10/2017 at 4:20 pm
My son is 19 and still trying to get his gcse maths and English his dad has stopped his maintenance payments as of his 18 Birthday is this right or should he still pay whilst he is at college advise would be great thanks
LawAndParents Editor 03/10/2017 at 3:25 pm
We're sorry, we don't know what the situation is with child maintenance and children in care. You might want to speak to social services to discuss the situation. Especially if you feel you can give him a home yourselves.
Rebc 02/10/2017 at 6:00 am
My husband currently pays £260 in CM for his 9 year old son, we have discovered that he was taken into local authority care in July this year (ex wouldn't let him have contact from the word go, and court was too expensive to continue) but we have been paying CM for the 3 months that he has been in care, are we legally obliged to continue? If not, what do we do to avoid being accused of not paying?
LawAndParents Editor 29/09/2017 at 2:19 pm
You do not usually have to continue mainteance payments if your child is doing a paid apprenticeship.
LawAndParents Editor 29/09/2017 at 12:56 pm
If your child is doing a paid apprenticeship, maintenance payments do not usually have to continue. You can, as you say, continue to support your son directly as apprenticeship pay is not very high.
Gav 27/09/2017 at 10:14 pm
My son turned 18 this month and starts an apprenticeship next week earning £130 a week. Do I have to continue paying child maintenance to his mum?
Bank of Dad 27/09/2017 at 6:37 pm
My son is 16 and has just started an apprenticeship in wales. He attends college 2 days a week and works the remaining 3 days. For this he is paid. I have raised the question about stopping the maintenance payment with the Ex, she is under the impression as he is in college for 2 days (16 hrs) a week that it should continue, however i read it that he is undertaking training and as because he is paid that i would be within my rights to stop the maintenance to her and instead give my sone support direct. Can any one clarify this for me ?
LawAndParents Editor 27/09/2017 at 3:30 pm
If you have parental responsibility, the school or college should provide you with information. There are letter templates on the Internet that help with this.
LawAndParents Editor 27/09/2017 at 12:58 pm
As long as he is in education of 12 or more hours per week at a level no higher than Alevel standard or equivalent, then you must continue with maintenance payments. This is irrespective of his part time job.
LawAndParents Editor 27/09/2017 at 12:20 pm
Maintenance usually stops when a child finishes education (at A level or equivalent/highers in Scotland). If your daughter is away at university, she will certainly need your help financially, so unless the agreement states something else, you can give whatever you like directly to your daughter.
LawAndParents Editor 27/09/2017 at 12:17 pm
It's not common for a father to still be paying maintenance for children of the ages you've given. Maintenance usually stops at when a child leaves education at A level standard or equivalent (usually 18 or 19...occasionally 20). Parents may have a private arrangement to continue paying while a child is at university but it's rare that this is ordered by a court. It may be worth seeking your own legal advisor on this one.
Alex 26/09/2017 at 7:44 pm
Hi, I have a 17 year old daughter and paying maintenance. The problem is that I have no idea if she is still at college or how many hours she is doing. I’ve tried to find this info from college but they have refused to give me any info. Is it right that for maintenance reason , I have a right to this basic information? Unfortunately I have no communication with my daughter or her mother since the split up . What Can I do to find out ? Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 26/09/2017 at 3:08 pm
Child maintenance is payable until completion of full time education at A level standard or equivalent. An access course would be considered higher level than A levels, so unless you have a private agreement you will not need to continue paying. You might want to consider continuing contributing as your daughter will not have an easy means to additional funds, even if she take a part time job.
Kev 25/09/2017 at 8:21 pm
Hi.my son is 17 at the moment and will be 18 in december. He currently attends an automotive level 2 college course for 9 hrs a week and is attending a 3 hours a week english GCSE resit course.he has just started part time work at a local store where he works 16 hrs a week earning close to £500 a month. My partner and I currently pay £223 a month in maintenance and was wondering where we stand legally in stopping these regular monthly payments as he is now earning his own money. Any advice would be grateful..
Thanks kev
Dazsteele 25/09/2017 at 3:24 pm
I am currently paying aliment to my ex wife for my daughter (20) who has just started university, my daughter works part time earning £200 pm approx, should I now be paying my daughter direct and if so what amount?(same as I paid my ex) We have a minute of agreement but it's not specific on this matter. Scots Law

Kind regards

Darren
Ribs 25/09/2017 at 1:56 pm
I have three children living who moved to Portugal with their mother in 2002/2003.
The oldest child is 24 years old, 25 in January and allegedly taking a University course in Physiotherapy albeit I have not been furnished with the start and end dates of this course.
The middle daughter is 23 years old and is now living in the UK and I have recently found out she is in the taking a hairdressing apprenticeship at a top hair salon in London.
The youngest who is 22 is allegedly in secondary education in Portugal, (dont ask) and lives with her boyfriend.
About 3 years ago my ex obtained an attachment to earnings order and I pay £830 per month. The district judge stated that I pay until they obtain their first degree is this right and what are my next steps. My Ex still lives in Portugal
cc 25/09/2017 at 9:26 am
my daughter is going to be 18 in April
She is at 6th and will finish in May
She is going to apply for uni
She may have to do an additional access course

I currently pay her mother on a monthly basis by mutual consent.

what happens after her birthday or in May 2018
LawAndParents Editor 18/09/2017 at 2:01 pm
This depends on whether the apprenticeship is paid or not.
Tiger 16/09/2017 at 4:34 pm
My stepson is 17 years old, he has just left his A Level course to take up an apprenticeship, he will be attending college 1 day a week. We have an informal weekly payment set up with my husbands ex, we were aware this was to continue until he was 19, does this change now he has started an apprenticeship?
LawAndParents Editor 15/09/2017 at 11:28 am
If your child is no longer living at home you do not need to pay maintenance to her mother and can choose to pay your daughter directly.
AP 12/09/2017 at 7:13 pm
I've had an informal arrangement (non-CSA) with my ex for years. My daughter is 17 now, and has moved out of her mum's house to live with her boyfriend, but is going to college approx 20 hrs per week. I've stopped paying maintenance direct to her mum, and now happy to pay my daughter money direct. Am I right in thinking it's up to her mum and I to informally agree what we think we should contribute to help her live, or is it still a minimum amount in the same way that I was required to pay a calculated amount of maintenance when she still lived at home,so more of a moral rather than legal obligation as her mum is asking me to pay more and more as weeks go by?
LawAndParents Editor 12/09/2017 at 2:36 pm
If she is studying on a course (studying 12 hours or more per week) and is not on an actual apprenticeship then yes you continue paying. Here's the government information
LawAndParents Editor 12/09/2017 at 11:28 am
Unless you have a private maintenance agreement, you do not have to continue with the payments once your daughter starts university. She will however, be very grateful for anything you can give her directly.
Tink 11/09/2017 at 8:56 pm
My 17 year old step daughter is in 6th form studying hairdressing level 2, she goes to 6th form 2 days a week but has to be in a placement in a salon 3 days a week, to which she is, and is getting paid for it. Should we still be paying maintenance? Her mother messaged saying she will be staying in 6th form until she is 19 (her bday falls at the end of the school achedmic year) to study level 3 and that we have to pay until then, is this true? Thanks ??
Stooksy 10/09/2017 at 7:55 pm
My 19yr old daughter starts uni 25/9/17.She currently lives with her mum and i pay maintenance monthly. Will i have to continue paying her mum these payments or canni pay them directly into my girls bank account as she will need all the financial help she can get none of which will cone from her mum. I have also paid upfront payments of £750 rent and spent at least £200 on items for her flat, can i take this into account? against maintenance payments?
LawAndParents Editor 08/09/2017 at 12:21 pm
That's correct, the law at the moment states that while you can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays, you must then do one of the following until you’re 18:
-stay in full-time education, for example at a college
-start an apprenticeship or traineeship
-spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
You should continue paying maintenance while your daughter is still in education for more than 12 hours per week up to A level or equivalent standard.
LawAndParents Editor 07/09/2017 at 2:47 pm
If he is in education of more than 12 hours per week at A level or equivalent then maintenance should be paid.
jonny 07/09/2017 at 1:51 pm
hi

my daughter is 16 in July 2018 and leaves school in 2018 she says by law she has to carry on in full time education upto the age of 18 and cant just l;eave school, and i have to keep paying for child maintenance - is this correct or can i stop paying when she is 16
LawAndParents Editor 06/09/2017 at 12:52 pm
You need to find out what she's doing at college and how many hours. If her course is no higher than A level or equivalent (e.g BTECH or NVQ), then you can be asked to continue maintenance payments up until the maximum age of 20.
BLM73 06/09/2017 at 12:03 pm
My 17 yr old son left school and started work full time with a family member at which point my payments reduced. He has now decided that he wants to retake some GCSE's at college whilst working part time. My ex wife has told me that I now need to increase the payments back to what they were. Is this correct??
LawAndParents Editor 06/09/2017 at 11:36 am
If your son is in college for more than 12 hours and is studying at A level or equivalent (eg NVQs, BTECs) then yes you must continue to pay maintenance. If he's doing an apprenticeship and being paid, you may not have to pay. You will need to find out more details of what he's up to before disputing it really.
LawAndParents Editor 05/09/2017 at 1:00 pm
There is nothing that specific documented relating to child maintenance payments. It's up to you to agree what's reasonable. If your 17 year old is still at school/education then your proposal seems reasonable to us. If you can't agree, you may have to get the CMS involved.
LawAndParents Editor 05/09/2017 at 11:09 am
Is Child Benefit still being claimed for his daughter? This is usually a good way to tell whether maintenance is still payable. In general, full time education is classed as 12 hours or more (and at the age of 18 must be no higher than A level standard).
LawAndParents Editor 05/09/2017 at 10:07 am
Child maintenance payments can continue up to age 20 if the child is in full-time education up to A-level or equivalent such as a level 3 NVQ. From what you've said, maintenance would have been payable until 31st August. Child Benefit stops when a child leaves approved education or training - payments will stop at the end of February, 31 May, 31 August or 30 November (whichever comes first).
jamo 04/09/2017 at 12:29 pm
my son is 16 and in college for 25 hours per week and working 21 hours a week, i have an agreement with the mother of my child through the csa, do i still need to pay on the info i have given, i do not think my son is doing his a levels,

thanks
LawAndParents Editor 04/09/2017 at 10:47 am
If she is no longer in full time education (of 12 hours or more) then you will not need to continue with maintenance payments.
Big Mac 04/09/2017 at 12:48 am
Hi

I have two children with my ex. One 15 who still lives with his mother and one who is almost 17 who has recently moved out of his mothers house to live at his Grandparents.

I offered to pay her half of what I was paying when they were both living with her, and half to the grandparents. She says legally I have to pay her for my 15 year old as a separate issue now, and payments for our 17 year old be worked out between us and the grandparents. I have searched the internet high and low for the answer, but am still no closer to finding an answer. Any idea ?
Betty 02/09/2017 at 6:39 pm
My husband has always paid maintenance for he's daughter. She is now 18 and doing a btech at college but also works nearly full time earning nearly a full wage. Should we still be paying Child maintenance?
Liz76 02/09/2017 at 8:20 am
Hi advice plz
My step daughter left 6th form after doing Alevels at 18 and went to college to redo a level 3 education course. She will be 20 in October my partner was told although she has redone level 3 education course he still needs to pay as her mom still gets child benefit for her. Csa won't check that she as already done a level 3 course ? My partner told to pay till September is this right ?
Thanks
root 29/08/2017 at 8:22 pm
My stepdaughter is 17 and going to college. She is currently sleeping 6 days per week at her boyfriends and her mum is not giving her money for clothes and she very rarely sees any of the money we pay her mum. Can we pay my stepdaughter direct or can we keep some of it back toï pay her boyfriends mum some of it for food
Tel 28/08/2017 at 6:57 pm
My daughter is 18 and not going back to college,She is looking for a job do I still have to pay csa
Brown 27/08/2017 at 12:41 pm
My daughter was 18 in July 17 I have paid direct maintenance mutually agreed since she was 10. Do I still need to pay ? She attends college but I am not sure on how many hours per week?
Please can I have a reply to my email?
LawAndParents Editor 22/08/2017 at 11:49 am
If your son is studying at A level standard or equivalent and under 19 then maintenance should still be payable.
Sven01 20/08/2017 at 12:06 am
My son left school at 16 and started college then had issues (mainly medical) and left in the November. Child maintenance was stoppped at around that point. He is returning to college this month and I'm wondering whether maintenance has to restart. My son is 18 in April 2018. Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 17/08/2017 at 12:58 pm
If your son is not in full time education (of 12 hours or more) up to A level standard or equivalent, you should not have to pay maintenance.
Jaco 16/08/2017 at 7:15 am
My son is 19 years old left school in grade 8 still not working and dont make any effort to go and look for work.stay at him mom now they want maintenance on him.what is my rights as father I still pay his medical expenses till the age of 21.
LawAndParents Editor 15/08/2017 at 1:57 pm
Usually the last payment would be 31st August in this kind of situation.
LawAndParents Editor 14/08/2017 at 2:46 pm
Not usually unless she is not paid or she is in college for more than 12 hours per week.
Singer 13/08/2017 at 8:21 pm
My daughter has just finished her A levels and gets results next week. She is not going to uni or doing any more education. When does the child benefit,tax credits and child maintenance stop? Do I get one more payment in September or was August the last month for all of them? Thanks
Fergie 13/08/2017 at 5:48 pm
Hi,my daughter is 18 in October she is thinking off doing a apprenticeship do I still pay for csa payments ?
LawAndParents Editor 11/08/2017 at 10:21 am
If you can talk to your daughter about this, that might clarify things. The CMS will usually check validity against a Child Benefit claim, so it's reasonably accurate. The college might be able to give you information too?
Steve 10/08/2017 at 2:54 pm
My daughter was 18 earlier this year and I have been paying by a family arrangement every month for the past 10 years. As she is now an adult, I wanted to understand future plans, work, further education etc. and if further education request to send the details, so I could check and all good, continue payment through up toil 20 if needed. I received no information after multiple mail requests, although I did get an immediate letter from CMS to investigate my earnings and get a payment plan in place! Which ok annoying but will comply with. My real question, as I have fairly good reasons to be suspicious, is do I have any rights to be informed of what college and course? I appreciate this may question the due diligence of the CMS vetting but it so frustrating. Appreciate your guidance, Steve
LawAndParents Editor 10/08/2017 at 12:21 pm
If you know what course she's doing it should be easy enough to find out. As a parent with parental responsibility you may be able to contact the college directly for information.
Adam128 09/08/2017 at 4:14 pm
Hi my daughter is 18 years old 19 in January 2018 at the weekend she let it slip that she was staying on another year at college but only attending a maximum of 8 hours a week.
When I questioned her she quickly changed her story
Is there anyway I can find out how many hours she will be attending college
Many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 09/08/2017 at 12:28 pm
Firstly, you CAN expect your children to pay if they're living in your home and are all working. Secondly, there's no obligation to pay maintenance as such. If however, you have not worked or have less earning power than your soon-to-be-ex husband because of bringing the children up, the courts may decide that he should pay spousal maintenance (as you, the financially weaker person adjust to your new financial position).
Maryla 07/08/2017 at 7:12 pm
I've recently split with my husband and will be filing for divorce. We have 3 kids who all live at home still in our rented place. They all work full time and are above 20yrs old. Does my husband still legally have to contribute to the household or rent or kids as I can't afford to pay the bills due to not working and my kids are saving for houses so can't expect them to pay. Thanks for any advice
LawAndParents Editor 31/07/2017 at 12:59 pm
No, child maintenance is not payable in this instance unless you have a private maintenance arrangement with his mother.
LawAndParents Editor 31/07/2017 at 12:50 pm
If you're in the higher income bracket and do not qualify for child benefit, you can continue to receive the child benefit but will have to pay extra tax if you choose to keep getting it. HMRC will likely backdate this and either change your tax code to recoup it or send you a demand for what you owe.
Dimpy 28/07/2017 at 8:53 am
My son if a pro rugby player he is 18 and goes to college through his employer over 12 hrs do I still have to pay child maintenance to my ex very confused as he earns a lot of money but been told because he goes college through employer I should not be paying any help would be appreciated
Dee 28/07/2017 at 5:00 am
When my son turned 16 his child benefit stopped, but he stayed in education until June this year.
I phoned to tell them in may that he was leaving but had 2 further payments.
. Phoned again yesterday and have been told I may have been overpaid child maintenance since he was 16 (now 19)
I didn't bother to fill the child benefit form when he was 16 as I didn't want to get it whilst he was in college due to being a higher tax payer.
Will I have to repay from when he was 16 or just the 2 payments I had since he left college?
LawAndParents Editor 27/07/2017 at 2:03 pm
You may have to pay until the age of 19 (sometimes even 20) if your child is studying full time at A level standard or equivalent. The fact that you have no contact with them is not seen as relevant.
LawAndParents Editor 26/07/2017 at 2:16 pm
This shouldn't affect the amount your receive from the father of your child. Contact him about it.
Stu 24/07/2017 at 2:51 pm
I've been paying child maintenance for the last 10 year and my child has now reached the age of 18 but I haven't had any contact with them for the last 8 years through no fault of my own do i still need to continue paying even thou my ex says our child is doing another year at collage
Clo 20/07/2017 at 6:46 pm
I moved in with my partner last weekend and I am wondering whether this would affect the child support I receive from my son's dad? He hasn't given anything this month and am wondering if it's due to this? Thanks
Bobby 11/07/2017 at 10:02 pm
I am emailing on behalf of my partner, his ex wife claimed for csa arrears that he was unaware of several years ago which he has been paying, however as her benefits have changed she has decided she wants more money from him, we have found out the arrears she has claimed for are when his son was enrolled at college for 2 years but did not attend after a few weeks, the claim and arrears are from this period of education. The Csa state because she was claiming child benefit (fraudulently) they have to stand, if we can prove he did not attend and she was falsely claiming child benefit will the arrears be dropped? The child in question is now almost 22 & has claimed benefits as soon as he was entitled.
Andy 08/07/2017 at 9:26 pm
Hi, my daughter is due to finish her a levels this year and my current csa payments stop in September. She is looking to go to university. Is it correct that I will continue to pay monies to her mother when she is at university by law. My daughter is 18.
LawAndParents Editor 07/07/2017 at 2:41 pm
Maintenance is payable while a child is still in full time education at Alevel or equivalent. You may be obliged to continue paying maintenance to cover any holiday time etc unless you split this 50/50 with the mother.
Jenks 06/07/2017 at 9:50 pm
Hi, my son is 16 years old and is going away to Hartpury college to complete his A levels and he has been offered a place on the elite rugby academy. I have paid his mother money every month ever since we seperated but we made the agreement between ourselves not through courts or CSA. His monthly college fees are going to be over 400 a month and me and his mother are going to go halves. Do I still have to carry on paying his mother even though his will be living away?? Plus I will be paying half his fees
LawAndParents Editor 06/07/2017 at 9:56 am
Usually if you share residency like this, the maintenance would be split but it depends on your circumstances/earning. CM options is a good place to have this looked at
LawAndParents Editor 05/07/2017 at 2:44 pm
He should apply for a residency order in view of the circumstances, it's likely he has a strong case. The daughter doesn't have to appear in court. If he has full residencey/majority care, he will not need to pay maintenance.
Itritated 05/07/2017 at 1:13 pm
My partner split from his ex 16 years ago, leaving 2 kids and hating himself for it, the ex was never amicable and he rarely saw the kids although he would go to get them as arranged (100mile round trip) and they wouldn't be there, for the first 2 years he paid cash to a mutual friend to give her for the kids and then she went to the CSA and said he never paid, he couldn't prove he had so had 2 years to back pay, he gave the ex £400 a month via csa and it left us too skint to go on hols etc and we lived on basic food for many many years which was fine but hard as we also had 2 kids together, recently he found out the eldest left home at 17 and the younger one came to us via a fluke contact as nothing had been regular since he left, she had moved into foster care as her 'mother' (not a word she should be entitled to!) had been neglecting her for years unbeknownst to us, she had a court date for a case against her mother for not feeding her, locking her in the house, violent outbursts as she's now an alcoholic and physical violence but the poor kid just wasn't strong enough to turn up to court and go through with it, my question is my partner would rather give the money outstanding to the csa from the backdated arrears to his daughter who needs it and not his ex who both kids don't even speak to now unless she's ringing them drunk with abuse- she spends it all on vodka and hasn't given either kid a penny since they left, my partner also works an extra job to be able to give the girls help financially as they are struggling, any advice would be welcome as csa just say it's arrears although we have the police paperwork to prove the abuse - Thankyou
LawAndParents Editor 04/07/2017 at 12:05 pm
At 15 he will be classed as being in full time education. If not, he's doing something illegal! So maintenance will still be payable. The person with majority care receives the maintenance payment, if the child stays elsewhere for one week, that will not be affected.
Darren 03/07/2017 at 11:58 pm
I have 2 daughter's which iv always paid for but my youngest daughter is now living with me and has been for the past few months, she wants to continue living with me and Im happy, but do i need to carry on paying maintenance to her mother ?? Surely if she cares for 1 and i the other then it's all fare ?? Any help would be very appreciated.
Betty 03/07/2017 at 2:25 pm
Can you advice my son pays to his 2 son's age 15 n 13 the eldest we found out is in school only 1 hour a day does my son still have to pay csa as though he's in full time education as I feel it's wrong and do we have to pay her if we have the one grandchild stay for week as we haven't seen them for 4yrs till now the one came to stay over weekend
LawAndParents Editor 29/06/2017 at 10:26 am
If the apprenticeship is arranged through the National Apprenticeship Scheme, then he will be on the minimum wage and maintenance payments will not be applicable. You could put the money away for him when he needs it.
LawAndParents Editor 28/06/2017 at 12:44 pm
Under normal child maintenance rules, the maximum age is 20. As this is a private arrangement/court order, you might need to clarify it with the courts or your solicitor.
Dee 27/06/2017 at 7:59 pm
I am emailing for my husband. He started paying csa when they split when they child was very young. Child lived with grandma who claimed the £250 csa monthly and once son was old enough she paid him £40 a week. He moved out at 16 into mums house who has never supported him. He left school and is starting an apprenticeship through the job centre. We want to stop the payments as 1) he isn't getting it all and 2) we want to put the money away for him for when he needs it. There is no communication between dad and mum or gran so cannot be done amicably. Are we ok to stop the payments ?
Rutherford 27/06/2017 at 2:44 pm
I'm asking on behalf of my husband. His daughter is 18 and apparently in further education. He has no contact with his ex-wife or his daughter (despite numerous court appearances which went in favour of my husband, only to be told - you're not seeing her take me back to court) so he has no way of finding out what his daughter is doing or when the course finishes. Is there any way he can find this information out as his ex wife will not tell him. Thanks for any help you can offer.
LawAndParents Editor 22/06/2017 at 12:48 pm
The foundation year would not normally be considered part of the FE equivalent to A levels.
paul 20/06/2017 at 3:55 pm
My daughter is 18 years old and just finishing a Public Service level 3 qualification apparently equivalent to A level. she is due to start a Forensic Criminology Degree with a foundation year in September. I`ve read that i still pay child maintenance up to the age of 19 if they are completing A levels; is the first year of her 4 year course considered part of the degree qualification or is it A Level please?
if its part of the degree I`ll stop paying maintenance and have the money ready for her emergencies as and when they arise :-)
Geog 17/06/2017 at 12:26 am
Please please could somebody advise. I have twin- 19 years old now. One is finishing his NVQ Course at college this July 2017 but has been working Full Time as a Chef earning an £18k full salary. The other is also finishing his course July 2017 & works Part Time with his mentor (paid work).He will be taken on to do an Apprenticeship once finished college course in July. I've been paying via CSA for the last 7-8 years or so. Their mother just graduated from a Uni course & now works (they live with her) So they are all in paid work. I'd like to know if I'm still meant to have over £500 taken from my salary each month & if so.....how long will this go on???

I've rung CSA but they're very vague. I've no problem supporting my children as I am that way inclined BUT I do not want their mother to milk me or deceive me any further & the system too. I need to know when and how it will cease please please
LawAndParents Editor 15/06/2017 at 2:11 pm
No not necessarily. If your partner effectively has (full) residency of his son, he should be able to claim child benefit and child tax credits for him. If you are a couple we're not sure why he is paying maintenance to you...as it's a complex situation therefore our advice may not be correct.
LawAndParents Editor 13/06/2017 at 12:38 pm
Yes you do. You will need to continue with maintenance payments until your daughter is 16 or if she continues in further education to A level or equivalent, 18/19.
Webby 12/06/2017 at 10:14 pm
My 15 year old step son has lived with me for 18 months now. His dad and I are a couple and have been for 14 years but we don't live together. When my partner removed my step son from his mother due to neglect he asked to live with me and our kids which I totally accepted. My question is whilst I receive tax credits and child benefit and maintenance from his dad is his mother suppost to assist me financially too? He has seen her three times in 18 months and she never contacts him just to see how he is. Please can you advise me on his rights. Thank you
Top Scaff 10/06/2017 at 8:09 pm
My daughter is 13 my exwife has remarried and now my daughter has his surname and he has step-parental rights . They have another child between them . Do I still have to pay maintenance
TT 06/06/2017 at 4:35 pm
My stepdaughter has finished a-levels, is working but is about to go to America on a year exchange. Do we still have to continue maintenance payments. We are unclear of the reason for her going to America.
Kev 01/06/2017 at 4:51 pm
My daughter is 18 and says she has just signed up for a college course full time she lives alone and gas done since she fell out with her mother when she was 16. I have paid maintenance regardless every week. Do I still have to pay maintenance now she had turned 18 ?
Ad 31/05/2017 at 8:20 pm
My son is 17 and has now started to do a b tech in music do I still have to pay maintainence
PIP 30/05/2017 at 2:50 pm
My 17 year old stepson is at a residential college term time for which both seperated parents pay half the fees, inclusive of food and board. His other parent has now gone back on the agreement and has put in a claim for child maintenance despite the fact said son is rarely at her home. CMS have said that despite son being away at college because the mother recieves child benefit she is entitled to maintenance. This seems immoral as we have been paying for his upkeep at college. . Apparently had we paid fees in cash to mother this would have counted as maintenance but because we paid direct to college it doesn't count. Is there any way of fighting this?
Julian 25/05/2017 at 8:29 am
Hi my son is about to leave school after his exams he is 16 years old. He is starting a part time college course and also working 2.5 days per week. He is also moving in with his girlfriends parents. Do I still need to continue paying maintainance payments for him ?
Dunk 21/05/2017 at 9:48 am
Hi I have a son who turns 18 in October he is doin exams the now and no back to school till June but he also has a part time job of 15 hrs a week do I still need to pay maintenance many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 17/05/2017 at 12:51 pm
Yes if he's studying for 12 hours per week or more and the course is at A level or equivalent standard you will need to continue with maintenance payments.
na 16/05/2017 at 3:23 pm
my son is 17 and does drama at college 3 days a week and still lives with his mum do i still need to pay maintenance ?
LawAndParents Editor 09/05/2017 at 10:17 am
If it's a paid apprenticeship you will not need to continue payments under normal CMS rules, but if you have a private arrangement in place obviously that will be different. If the apprenticeship is unpaid/government backed, then maintenance payments should continue.
Leesy 07/05/2017 at 12:22 pm
Hi I've my son is now 16 and is going to start an apprenticeship in September. I have told my ex that payments will stop when he starts his apprenticeship, but she continues to make threats. Has she got any grounds to do so? Also I was paying naintence for a child that after a DNA test turned out not to be mine (this totalled £3000) and I have never seen a penny back, which further compounds my anger.
MR 03/05/2017 at 7:06 pm
Hi if my 17 year old son claims PIP do I still have to pay maintenance even if he is in college?
LawAndParents Editor 28/04/2017 at 11:05 am
While she is still in full time education up to A level standard or equivalent maintenance is still payable despite her part time job.
MjjjC 27/04/2017 at 9:58 pm
Hi my son who I pay maintenance for is 16 (17 in june) started college last September, he started a temporary job over the Easter holidays and has been took on full-time so he's left college (which I'm not happy about) to work 5 days a week, down to the point, do I still have to pay my weekly csa?
Pop1 27/04/2017 at 8:20 am
I pay Cms and have always paid for my 17 yr old daughter (18 end of May) who is at college part time but working also . Do the payments need to continue if she is working and part time college ? Or do they change because she is working ? My assessment seems to be done on her being in full time education .
Thanks .
Bri96 24/04/2017 at 11:30 am
Hi my son is turning 17 he has left school to go to work mon-fri and getting a good wage but he has to go to collage 1 day a week for 8 hours , do I still have to pay maintenance for him
Thanks
Morselover 17/04/2017 at 12:22 pm
My stepdaughter is 17 and will start working full time next month. She is about to complete a college course which was three days a week. A local company paying her over the summer and are then offering a paid apprenticeship with a one day release in September.
Do we :-
a) need to continue to pay any maintenance
b) need to inform anyone that we are ceasing payments
c) need to continue paying until September, or can we stop in the month she starts earning?
Thank you. I thought it was simple but some things seem contradictory....e.g. Whether mum will continue claiming child benefit. The answer is ...we don't know. And money stopping in September or when she starts work?
LawAndParents Editor 12/04/2017 at 12:32 pm
You should pay the maintenance regardless of your ex's income if you are not the parent with main residence.
Reg 11/04/2017 at 9:11 am
Hi
I am paying maintainance
I know that it stops where children reach no schooling age
But what if mother has come into a substantial inheritance that make her financially secure
Plus is still claiming child tax credits
LawAndParents Editor 31/03/2017 at 11:31 am
Yes, maintenance is paid to cover on going costs related to the children for the parent with majority residence. It's worked out as an average, not just for specific periods.
Big jeff 30/03/2017 at 11:43 am
Hi.I'm taking my 2 kids on holiday abroad for 2 weeks.do I still have to pay maintenance for them 2weeks as they will be with me and NOT at home with their mam.thanks
LawAndParents Editor 29/03/2017 at 2:32 pm
Is she doing any other training or education?
loubrit1 28/03/2017 at 12:35 pm
My daughter is 17, it looks like her hours are going to reduce to 7 in her traineeship which she does in college, I still have full time care of her and she is trying to find a placement or an apprenticeship, she never stays at her dads, am I still entitled to claim maintenance for her? Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 24/03/2017 at 12:18 pm
No, unless there is a private agreement in place, child maintenance stops when further education (A level or equivalent) stops.
LawAndParents Editor 24/03/2017 at 11:13 am
This depends on how much he is earning from his apprenticeship. The Child Maintenance Calculator should help.
Ebs 23/03/2017 at 5:11 pm
My daughter finishes her college course in June when will my maintenance stop?
RAZ 21/03/2017 at 2:05 pm
My partners daughter will be 18 in August, in September she will be going to uni full time boarder. this isn't compulsory education and she has a grant. Does he still have to pay maintenance as she wont be living at home.

the guide lines on this are not very clear.

many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 21/03/2017 at 12:26 pm
It will stop when she finishes any course that no higher than A level standard and she is no older than 20.
Hs 21/03/2017 at 8:08 am
My 17yr old daughter is pregnant, has currently split up with the 17yr old father. He is doing an apprenticeship, does he have to pay child maintenance??
yammycol 18/03/2017 at 3:46 pm
Hi my daughter is 18 and studying for an nvq level 3, she finishes her course in June but is looking at going back to college to undertake a further nvq level 2 or 3 she will be 19 in November. My question is when does maintenance stop being paid?
LawAndParents Editor 13/03/2017 at 2:25 pm
If the apprenticeship is a paid one and the mother no longer claims Child Benefit, then maintenance is no longer payable. If it's a training apprenticeship (ie. not pay) then maintenance should continue.
Bluechip 10/03/2017 at 9:39 pm
Hi my 18 year old stepdaughter has left college and gotten an apprenticeship, which includes
One 8 hour day at tech. She often fails to attend college. We are wanting to stop her maintenance
But her mother claims we have to keep paying as she still gets child tax credits. My understanding is that we can now stop paying the mother. Does anyone know please?
Loken666 06/03/2017 at 6:18 pm
Hi I have a daughter who is 16yrs old which has recently moved out the family home in with her boyfriend she has been living with for the last 2 months and she is enrolled in collage but is no longer attending the course do I still have to pay child support for her as she is no longer living with the primary caregiver or attending education?
Justin 05/03/2017 at 4:43 pm
I have shared custody with my son but I have him 70-80% of the time. I have missed work due to him being sick or snow days for his daycare when they are on her scheduled days. Can I take that out of her child support payments? She just gives excuses not to pick him up from me although I still have to pay her child support
LawAndParents Editor 01/03/2017 at 12:40 pm
Maintenance is usually only payable up to maximum age of 20 if your child is in furtehr education. Your ex should be paying for at least another couple of years. You may need to seek a private agreement via mediation - which can then be made legally enforceable in the courts.
jane bower 27/02/2017 at 8:08 pm
Hi my son is high functioning autism. He turned 18 last October and his dad stopped maintenance. He will be in and out of education untill his 24 as he struggles with life. Am I still entitled to maintenance I receive pip for him
How-much-longer 05/02/2017 at 10:50 pm
Son turned 19 last year, (in this academic year) never missed a payment have no contact so won't actually know when he finishes college. Reading the web tells me I can stop paying this year, is this right? But how do I know when to stop payments? Would really appreciate some help on this. As I will never find out when he does end college.

Thanks in advance
Skippy 05/02/2017 at 6:28 pm
My daughter is 16.. I pay an agreed amount as set out by the CSA.. She is off to college in Sept after her GCSEs.. However..she will be staying at the college at a cost of £150 per week. My ex wife only wants to pay £100 per month towards this.. (she will be using the money I give her as well)..thus leaving me to pay the remainder.. Not sure where I stand on this..? Basically..with the money I pay her already and the money for college I will be paying £500 per month..my ex wife £100... Our incomes are very similar.. Thanks for your help. Peter
Flojo 02/02/2017 at 1:48 pm
My son is is 18 in a few months and now working full time, will his father still have to pay maintenance?
Unsure 27/01/2017 at 1:22 pm
Payments taken from gross salary
I pay tax on it
Does x partner pay tax on it
As it is tax ferr
Mummy3 26/01/2017 at 1:34 pm
Hi my stepson left school in July he's 16 since leaving school he has not worked or been in any form of education, my husband has been and is still paying maintenance to his ex, his son has now got a job of 30 hrs plus overtime (not in any education) he will now be living with a different member of his family, while he works then go back to his mum on his day off, my question is does my husband still have to pay maintenance for his son? If he does who do we pay maintenance too?
LawAndParents Editor 20/01/2017 at 11:58 am
If your divorce agreement says that maintenance stops at the age of 18 then it will do so. Your ex may want to extend the maintenance period if your son is still in education and she is supporting him. The courts could order an extension until the age of 20.
Macca 19/01/2017 at 8:40 pm
My son is staying on at college till 18 but he as decided to stay on till he is 19 but he not doing A level do I have still pay maintenance.
Coolie 19/01/2017 at 7:53 am
My stepson has left school got a few jobs but always got sacked he has a wee few hours job at the moment he's now going back to college to do hmc he will be 19 in June in my divorce minutes of agreement it states maintamce payment will stop when he turns 18 where do we stand
Julie 18/01/2017 at 8:40 pm
I have just been informed by my ex husband that he is stopping child maintenance in June as my daughter will turn 18 on 4th July . She still has another year at college . I thought that he still had to pay until she finish the course but he says other wise. I will still get child benefit so thought he should still pay. Please help.
Apar 14/01/2017 at 11:44 am
Hi. My son is 20yr old and he's autistic. He has stopped college last year and CSA has now stopped his payment. He will start a new course end of January but it is not A levels. Does his father still need to help him financially? I cannot work full time as I need to care for him and I am still helping my daughter who is at University and he declined to help. There's anything I can do?Many thanks
Dimples 12/01/2017 at 7:52 pm
My partners daughter is 18 next month, and has mentioned going on to University, we think at above A level. When do maintenance payments cease? Will it be when she is 18 (after she left college) Or do I have to continue payments. I can't find anything that is clear anywhere! Please help!
Many thanks
tom 12/01/2017 at 2:06 pm
Hi my son started university in September 2016. The csa have been informed of this. I have had two letters from them the latter saying they are checking to clarify I have paid the correct amount prior to closure. I have always paid the requested amounts the csa accessed me on during that peroid 1998 - 2016. During the latter years they did not ask for my wage slips despite me having pay rises. Could they pursue money from me
LawAndParents Editor 10/01/2017 at 12:34 pm
No, as long as she is in full time education of at least 12 hours per week you should continue to pay maintenance. Here part time job over christmas will not affect this.
LawAndParents Editor 05/01/2017 at 2:00 pm
Yes, payments should be made while she still in further education up to the age of 19 (sometimes 20).
LawAndParents Editor 05/01/2017 at 12:40 pm
When does the course start and what level of course is it. If it's a further education level course (such as a levels) then you may have to pay until your son is 20. If it's a degree level course, you may not have to.
LawAndParents Editor 05/01/2017 at 12:36 pm
Tell your partner to contact the CSA if they are still taking payments when the child to which they relate is actually residing with you.
Griff 04/01/2017 at 9:51 pm
My daughter who is 17 is doing an hnc more than 12 hours at collage and working part time . Do I still have to make maintenance payments?
Scruff 04/01/2017 at 7:41 pm
My son is 19 in June he left school last May I was paying maintenance up till August when I I was told he was signing on the dole, he didn't and got a job as he failed to get into college, I have now been told he is getting into college to do p,e, he has left his full time job
Now do I have to start paying again ,and he is also working in a chippy cash in hand
Sue 04/01/2017 at 6:02 pm
Hi. My partners 14yr old boy has been living with us since may 2016. His ex wife finally agreed to inform the csa at the end of September 2016. He had been off work during a lot of this time and back payment has all been payed back to her even though he lived with us. Csa are still now to date taking the payments but she says she is not receiving them. How long should we expect to wait before the payments stop being taken, and where is the money going that's being taken now? Many thanks.
Lofthouse 01/01/2017 at 9:06 pm
Hi. I have a 18 year old daughter and a 14 year old daughter from my 1st marriage. I pay an agreed amount that I pay to my ex wife.
My eldest is at college, studying a btec course not sure how many hours she attends at the moment. She also has a part time job. When can I stop paying her mum? Or do I continue until the youngest daughter finishes full time education.
Regards
Ian Creasey
LawAndParents Editor 22/12/2016 at 1:40 pm
If he's left education and is working full time your payments will stop. If he's actually still in full time education (12 hours or more per week) and his job is simply a part time one, you will have to keep paying until he's completed his further education (A level standard or equivalent).
Fed up 21/12/2016 at 8:16 pm
My son has just turned 18 and he is working , do I still have to pay Csa payments?
tj 14/12/2016 at 10:51 pm
I pay £216 per month for my son , he is 16 and studying A levels, he also has a part time job and earns money , should i now be paying "216 per month?
rkb 08/12/2016 at 10:34 am
my stepdaughter is going to go to university September 2017 she will be 18 how long does private maintenance payments need to continue? Is until 20 years?
LawAndParents Editor 18/11/2016 at 1:00 pm
The CSA does not really have the power to investigate bank accounts and private dealings of individuals. A court might order that they his accounts and business/property ownership can be looked into, so it might we worth seeking legal advice.
Janey 17/11/2016 at 2:29 pm
My ex partner had worked away in Iraq since before I met him we had a daughter but I ended the relationship when she was born I tried to get csa but as he doesn't pay tax on his 13k a month job the csa don't have income down for him so he gets away with it , he had now returned to the uk to study a degree which will benefit his career further so he is still not getting income or taxed on anything but he has 250k in bank 3 properties one in the uk plus uk bank accounts also and lots more yet I don't get a penny for my daughter he says now he is in uni for 3 years and I can't touch him as he isn't earning what can I do ???
Guiness06 15/10/2016 at 3:10 pm
Help please! My stepson has just turned 18 and is studying A Levels at school. When my husbands divorce was agreed his solicitor put it in the agreement that maintenance would stop at 18 NOT full time education as they could continue for ever. His ex wife had a huge payout to incorporate that.
We now have twins about to turn 4 where do we stand and what should we be doing?
Thanks
hlj 12/10/2016 at 3:44 pm
My partners son has just turned 17 but for the last 2 years he hasn't been attending school full time... just a couple of hours a day and then apparently taking work home with him.
He has now technically left school but has told his Dad that's he's being home schooled by his Mum. He's not at 6th form or any other college, nor is he on an apprenticeship.
My question is this..... Is home schooling from the age of 17 to 18 an approved form of further education that would require my partner to carry on paying maintenance, currently arranged via the CSA?
LawAndParents Editor 12/10/2016 at 11:15 am
Yes this will be correct as she will be expected to study in between actual teaching time.
MG 11/10/2016 at 9:07 am
My daughter is 17 now and left school after her GCSE's earlier in the year. She has now started 3 A levels therefore in advanced education. My question is .......... she is doing three A levels at college but each class is 3 hours 30 minutes per week so she is only doing 10 hours 30 minutes per week so less than the requirement of 12 hours as set out by the government. Should I still be paying maintenance? I have asked the CSA and they said as she is doing A levels then yes but is this right as in theory she is only in part time education.
MG 08/10/2016 at 7:20 am
My daughter is 17 now and left school after her GCSE's earlier in the year.

She has now started 3 A levels therefore in advanced education.

My question is .......... she is doing three A levels at college but each class is 3 hours 30 minutes per week so she is only doing 10 hours 30 minutes per week so less than the requirement of 12 hours as set out by the government.

Should I still be paying maintenance? I have asked the CSA and they said as she is doing A levels then yes but is this right as in theory she is only in part time education.
LawAndParents Editor 05/10/2016 at 10:31 am
You'll have to communicate with him or his mother really. The CSA don't have to provide you with proof.
TomThom 04/10/2016 at 5:54 am
How do I go about finding which college he is at?
TomThom 02/10/2016 at 3:10 am
Despite having been alienated from my children's life 13 years ago I continue to make CSA payments to date in respect of the youngest (aged 17) who I think may have been doing some sort of apprenticeship at WestminsterKingsway College for over a year now

The CSA have always refused to provide any information about my son's college course and will only confirm that he is still in further education (by asking his mother - who doesn't give me any information at all)

What (if any) rights do I have to receive information about son's progress or, in fact, whether he's even still at college?

I also have a 21year-old daughter in her 3rd year at uni but have never received a shread of info about her progress or even what she is studies - do I have any rights here?
LawAndParents Editor 30/09/2016 at 10:54 am
It might be worth checking this with using the CMS calculator . Withdrawing maintenance does seem a little unfair in the circumstances though.
des 29/09/2016 at 5:33 am
I was on the old 2003 scheme until recently when my daughter aged 15 ran away from her drug using mother. My daughter was taken into care by my distant relatives as an emergency stopgap. Until then I had absolutely no contact (mothers decision, not mine) but paid maintenance without objection directly from earnings from day one. Now there has been a aversion of care meeting with social services and daughter has been placed in the care of the mothers parents for the forseeable future. As both the mother and I do not have custody of the child would it be correct that the amount CMS say I should pay before this happened to be reduced by 50% as child maintenance is now paid (or should be paid) by both parents?
LawAndParents Editor 13/09/2016 at 2:34 pm
If a child is still attending college part time, maintenance can still be paid. This should stop when they child turns 19.
Wiki 12/09/2016 at 10:07 am
My partner has two children from a previous relationship, one aged 18 and one 14 years old. The elder child will soon be 19 and has not been in full-time education since she left school but has done a part-time college course of one day per week.
The CSA, as was, stated that payments would only alter if the mother contacted them regarding the child's educational situation, etc. although we know the elder child has been working full-time since the age of 16.
When do CSA payments stop and where do we stand? Is it right that only the mother can confirm work/ educational details?
Also, how might it change once the child is 19 now the CSA isn't involved in payments?
CF 30/08/2016 at 2:39 pm
My daughter will be 17 in October, she has just finished school after sitting her GCSEs. She has now decided she doesn't want to go to college. If she had gone on to college I would have continued making maintenance payments to her mother (who my daughter lives with), but if she is not going to college do I have to continue making payments to her mother?
Lerato 27/08/2016 at 9:31 am
I have a rather complicated question...well it seems it for me. My partner has recently separated from his wife. Almost a year now, and his kids were living full time with her until he managed to set up a new home for himself. He has a daughter from a previous relationship who has now said, due to the ex bad mouthing him over the last 6 months, that she does not want to live with him, but with his ex-wife (her stepmother). My question is, if he as the father is not happy with his daughter living there as she is not with a biological parent then what are his rights and does he still have to pay for child support even if technically the daughter has chosen to 'move out'? She is only 17 and in her last year at school.
Tom 18/08/2016 at 3:50 pm
I pay regular maintenance for my son but the last month he has been staying with me and stayed at his mums 4 nights out of 31 she's demanding I still pay the maintenance for the month but why should I if he has stayed with me 27 out of the 31 nights? Am I being unfair?
is this good 30/07/2016 at 6:51 pm
My daughter is starting university soon and she is 18 and will be 19 in December. she will be moving in to the university halls. do I still have to pay child maintenance to my Ex ?
Rach 28/07/2016 at 8:18 pm
Forgot to say my husbands daughter lives with her nan that's who receives the maintance and the agreement of maintance is between my husband and his ex
Rach 28/07/2016 at 8:08 pm
My husbands daughter turned 16 this January and is pregnant, she's not going to be going into further education, when should he stop his maintenance? The daughter was entitled to income support from the 11th July, she has the forms but has not yet filled them out
R8 26/07/2016 at 11:11 pm
Hi my son has just left college he turned 17 on 1st July 2016. He started a paid apprenteschip 2 weeks ago and is getting a good wage from this he is attending a training facility one day per week through a college programme. Can you please advise when my maintenance payments will reduce or stop as the csa do not give direct answers. Thank you in advance
LawAndParents Editor 18/07/2016 at 11:39 am
This is a dispute that you will have to settle via mediation or the courts. In general, maintenance is payable until the end of A'level equivalent education but if you have a private agreement in place, obviously that should be adhered to.
SJ 16/07/2016 at 11:46 am
My Ex is proposing changes to our signed minute of agreement. Our children are 16 (at school) 18 (just left school & begun an apprenticeship) and 20 (about to start university).
Within our signed minute of agreement it states that he shall continue to pay maintenance while the children remain in any form of full time education & further education to train for a vocation etc.
My ex is proposing no further payments for the 2 older and only paying for the youngest until the end of the final school year next year. He was also supposed to increase his monthly payments annually however since 2005 the payments have never increased. Please can you advise. Many thanks.
J83 14/07/2016 at 8:53 pm
My step son has just finished his GCSEs and is now working as a paid apprentice, he is working away from home from Sunday evening to Friday evening. He is due to start college in September but is only attending 1 week each month the rest of the month he's on the job being paid, where do we stand with paying maintenance please? Do we still pay until he is 18 and has fully left college or as he's getting paid and away from home the majority of time would payments stop sooner? Thank you
LawAndParents Editor 14/07/2016 at 2:01 pm
He should continue to pay until 31st August.
KT 11/07/2016 at 10:54 pm
My daughter is 18 and lives with me and has recently finished her A levels. She's planning to go to uni in October. My ex husband has stopped maintenance this month saying that as she is no longer at college he doesn't have to pay anymore but she is still living with me until the beginning of October. Has he the right to do this or should he be paying until she goes to uni? Thank you
rosies 07/07/2016 at 7:31 pm
Hi, my partner has a 17 year old son and pays maintenance. for him. He left school in January, and then had visits with the Job Centre looking for a job. had a few interviews but was unable to get employment.
We are now into July and my partner was told that his son is now going to start a training course. Does he still need to pay even though his son stopped going to school, did not go into any further education and been unemployed since January. Thankyou.
LawAndParents Editor 06/07/2016 at 10:26 am
If she is no longer living with her mother, the maintenace payments can stop as her mother (who's being paid the maintenance) is no longer his daughter's main carer
Charl 05/07/2016 at 9:35 am
My husband's daughter is 17, engaged, had a baby 2months ago and is staying with her fiancé. Does my husband still have to pay maintance for her? Or can he just make a contribution every month towards the babies needs?
LawAndParents Editor 04/07/2016 at 10:18 am
Which daughter is your question about? Sorry it's not clear.
bry 01/07/2016 at 12:50 am
My daughter is 16 i cancelled direct debit for (maintance) a private agreement where id pay her car insurance when she left school she is working 36 hours a wk but her mum is making her go to college so she can continue to claim child benefit ..5 yrs ago i paid her just under £20.000 when i sold MY flat .i have a 19 yr old in uni who has lived on her own for a yr ...today i recieved a child maintance letter for 200 a month as she is starting college next month but is going to continue to work 20 hours per wk and pay digs to her mum ..i had said if she went to college i would pay my daughter direct at the request of her mother now out of the blue this letter arrived. My daughter has complained she even has been buying her own food ..help any advice please
LawAndParents Editor 30/06/2016 at 11:45 am
Unfortunately court action may be the best solution. You could apply for a great share of the residence/contact or for full residency. The court will not seek the opinion of 6 year olds, but if your current home is not large enough, that may affect court decision.
Legs 28/06/2016 at 9:53 pm
My children stay with me up to 3 times a week ... And only there mother when she can be bothered as they prefer to stay with her mother there grandma... She is constantly trying to squeeze more and more money from me and half the time threatens not only me but her own family with not seeing the kids ... When things don't go the way she plans on top of all this she has a drink problem and uses my children as a weapon which seems to be taking its toll on my sons state of mind ...as they are only 6 ... Right now I am saving to buy a house and have moved in with my mother
And feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place because I no they could not live with me in these circumstances... Her own mother tells me I could live there with the children if needed ... We're do I stand with all this ... I don't want to risk my children been dragged threw the courts in a war or been taken in to care if they find she is unsuitable ... And think my accommodation ain't big enough right now !!! At help is there for fathers who want there children to be happy do I need to find evidence recording situations ,, witnesses to help ,, I'm lost in all this and constantly hear a million different things ... Wat help is there out there and could my children be taken from such a loving family threw one person there mom!
LawAndParents Editor 28/06/2016 at 1:57 pm
No, there is no obligation to pay once a child is studying at university. If her father has paid until the end of Alevels he should continue to make payments until 31st August. Maintenance is not payable at university unless a private arrangement/agreement has been made between the two of you. Most students use the student a combination of the student loans system and part time jobs to pay for their accommodation and tuition fees.
Bob 26/06/2016 at 10:34 pm
My ex stopped payin this month my daughter is 17 and just finished college but is goin to uni shud he still pay???? He put 1p into my account this month ?????
Curly 23/06/2016 at 8:32 pm
I have 3 children. The eldest two (16 & 12) are in shared care on a 60/40 basis with their dad.
Do I still need to pay him when it becomes 50/50 as she'll be doing A Levels in September.
Curly 23/06/2016 at 8:30 pm
I have 3 children, 16, 12 and 2. The eldest 2 I have shared care with their dad on a 60/40 basis, soon to be 50/50 (thankfully!!).
Can I stop paying my ex? My 16 yr old will be studying for A Levels in Sept..
Debz 17/06/2016 at 7:04 am
My partners son is 17 and at college hes moved in with his girlfriend and her mum am i still liable to pay his maintenance to his girlfriends mum or are me and his mum both liable thankyou
Pikey 13/06/2016 at 9:53 pm
Mr 17 year old son ,(18 in October )is going to start a plumbing apprenticeship very soon. Will I still need to pay is mother maintenance? If I do, can I start to pay him directly when he is as he is technically an adult as I know his mother has being using the money she currently receives funds her life style only and not his.
Lammie 11/06/2016 at 5:09 pm
I made an arrangement to pay csa an I have but my daughter is in collage doing hairdressing course and is getting emi, do I still have to pay she is 18
LawAndParents Editor 09/06/2016 at 11:32 am
If it's just for the summer, youmay have to continue paying especially if he's still in education and will be back with his mother in September
Cg 08/06/2016 at 10:26 am
My son has moved in with his girlfriends parentsfor the summer in a different part of the country do I still pay csa to the mother? He is 17 18 in sep
LawAndParents Editor 06/06/2016 at 10:29 am
If the course is more than 12 hours per week and is no higher than A level standard, you may need to continue with payments until she is 20 or her course ends, whichever is the sooner.
Minion 03/06/2016 at 4:17 pm
My daughter will b 18 in a few days.. Shes going to college in August for 3 days a week. Do I still have to pay csa.
Wiggles 31/05/2016 at 6:51 pm
Hi

My son was 18 in March this year. I have had no contact me 15 years ( not through choice) I am unsure what he has been doing, I'm pretty sure he has just finished his A levels and will be going to university. When can I stop paying maintenance? I know that child benefit is in place until September 04th 2016. But it does state that this date may change? If he does go to university is that classed as Advanced Education? It's not that have ever begrudged paying but I do want it stop when it should!
Mart1 27/05/2016 at 8:33 am
I have regularly paid maintenance for my daughter who is sixteen and is now pregnant she will be leaving school in June and won't be returning and is having her baby in September. She will remain living with her mother on a daily basis do I still pay maintenance and if so when does it stop .
LawAndParents Editor 26/05/2016 at 2:09 pm
You should continue until he completes his further education (at A level or equivalent) or until he reaches 20. If his course ends this year you will need to continue to pay until the 31st August.
LawAndParents Editor 25/05/2016 at 10:19 am
He can decide to use the CSA (it's actually the CMS for new cases) if he chooses. The CMS will look at your existing arrangement and probably say to continue with it, if it meets the minimum maintenance requirements. The CMS will be able to take the payments from you directly if they consider that you are not going to reliably make the payments. They will however, make a charge for this. Is your daughter still in education? If not, then the CMS would not enforce maintenance payments at all.
Stokey 24/05/2016 at 9:38 am
Myself and my ex came to a private arrangement regarding how much I would contribute towards my daughter each month.. She is now 17 in recipes of EMA and working, my ex receives child ax credits ect for her as well as what I give and what she's receiving. One month I was unable to pay the arranged amount and he threatened me with CSA, is this allowed ? After all we have come to a mutual arrangement between ourselves and I pay religiously each month. But one month I was off sick and so got less wages and then it's threats is this allowed?
Honks 23/05/2016 at 8:49 pm
Hi. My stepson is due to finish his level 3 NVQ in 3 weeks. He goes to college for two days a week. He is 19.
Is it within our rights to stop maintenance (private agreement for 14 years) in June or do we legally have to continue? He also works part time 16 hours + a week.
Appreciate a swift response. Thanks
LawAndParents Editor 19/05/2016 at 1:56 pm
Check on the CM Options website to be sure, but in general you pay until your child leaves school or further education (a level or equivalent)
LawAndParents Editor 17/05/2016 at 10:59 am
Double check your daughter's circumstances, if your daughter is now a mother, is no longer living with a parent and is not in education, there's a chance she is being supported by a partner, a job or the benefits system, in which case you would not need to continue maintenance payments.
tucker 17/05/2016 at 7:56 am
Hi my son is starting a apprenticeship in september. He is 18 years of age. The apprenticeship comes with a salary of 18 k a year. Year 1 spent at college on Hnc years 2-4 spent on day release paid for by the company. Do I still need to continue paying my csa payments on the old system ?
Sluther 14/05/2016 at 11:32 am
Can I legally stop paying maintenance payments to my now 17 year old daughter who I never see and does not live with her mum and has recently become a mother herself
LawAndParents Editor 13/05/2016 at 11:41 am
Use the child maintenance calculator to check how much you should be paying. We're not sure whether the proceeds from your half of the property should be used or not.but the CM Options website may be useful.
Levi 12/05/2016 at 12:44 pm
I have been paying maintanance to my ex husband for over four years ,the children are now 20 and 19 . One is at university the other finishes college this month and then onto university in September . I have been receiving ESA for this whole period and I am still now . Last month the family home was finally sold and I got my settlement from this ,which is to purchase a house very soon . My ex has bought another house with his proceeds already , where my youngest son is living . I have been paying £30 a month towards maintanence for the four years , yet now my ex says as I've got funds I should be paying more . I have just given him £150 which pays upto September when my son goes I uni . Any help please ?
--- 11/05/2016 at 10:49 pm
Hi I am 18 years old and currently still in full time education studying for my A Levels. My dad has been paying maintenance to my mum for over 12 years now every week. I am going to go into an apprenticeship straight after my official leave date at College. Both myself, mum and dad are unsure if he will still have to pay maintenance as I will be studying 1 day a fortnight?
Lilsb 11/05/2016 at 7:51 pm
Hi need a bit of help will I lose my Csa payments or tax credits if I home school my daughter she is 14 but has been bullied for about two years n tbh I've had enough I will be looking at sharing a syllabus for her with a friend who home schools her son any advice would be good thanks :)
LawAndParents Editor 06/05/2016 at 2:23 pm
Here is your original question....very similar to the other ones on the page.
My son turns 18 next month,(May).I have been paying maintanence to his mother by direct bank transfer for the past 6 years.The CSA have never been involved.He is studying A-levels at sixth form college.When he left school she told me that he is continuing his education and that I am to pay his maintanence until he is 19. I don't even see him.His choice,not mine.I have heard different ages to pay,like 18,19.I would just like to know if if it is 18 or 19 when I am allowed to stop the payments.I live alone and this is a significant amount out of my weekly income.

You need to continue paying until the end of the August when he completes his A levels. So if he had a year out or had to re-sit a year, yes you will need to continue paying until the August after he's 19. If he completes his A levels this year, then you can stop payments on 31st August 2016.
LawAndParents Editor 05/05/2016 at 1:51 pm
Your daughter's father should pay maintenance. You/he can work out how much using the government child maintenance calculator. If he refuses, you can contact the Child Maintenance Service to ask them to collect payments for you - find out more at CM Options
LawAndParents Editor 05/05/2016 at 12:37 pm
Yes if he is studying for 12 hours or more per work, you should still pay maintenance.
Gav 05/05/2016 at 2:18 am
Hi,can you answer my question from April 29th please.It is important I know where I stand on this.Thankyou....
Auds 03/05/2016 at 1:13 pm
Hi, my daughter is 16 and in full time education. Her dad and I got divorced 5 years ago on good terms, he always said he would provide for her at anytime I needed it. My hours in work have dropped and I asked him before Christmas for help which he agreed but his mum and sister have stepped in and now I get nothing and my daughter doesn't get to speak to her dad and she needs financial support which I'm struggling with at the moment. Any advice would be good as I dont know where to turn.
LawAndParents Editor 03/05/2016 at 10:46 am
Because this is a consent order rather than an arrangement made via the CSA, it can be interpreted to include university education. The wording regarding statutory maintenance usually refers to "full-time education not higher than A-level or equivalent". You can apply via the courts to get a consent order changed.
LawAndParents Editor 03/05/2016 at 9:38 am
Usually this would be the 31st August after completing A levels unless you have a private arrangement to continue paying while your son is at university etc.
Wee man 03/05/2016 at 8:56 am
My 16 year old , nearly 17 , is still at school . He has a well paid £8 an hour job earning good money . Am I still required to pay maintenance ? Thanks
help 30/04/2016 at 7:03 am
Hi, my daughter is coming up to her 18th. The consent order covering maintenance states its paid to the latter of age 18 or when she leaves full time education. Could you help with two questions;
1) Does full time education mean university?
2) When she goes to university ( assuming the consent order applies)can I pay her directly rather than the mum.

The relationship with the mum is poor so no option of a friendly discussion to resolve.
Thanks
Gav 29/04/2016 at 3:42 pm
My son turns 18 next month,(May).I have been paying maintanence to his mother by direct bank transfer for the past 6 years.The CSA have never been involved.He is studying A-levels at sixth form college.When he left school she told me that he is continuing his education and that I am to pay his maintanence until he is 19.
I don't even see him.His choice,not mine.I have heard different ages to pay,like 18,19.I would just like to know if if it is 18 or 19 when I am allowed to stop the payments.I live alone and this is a significant amount out of my weekly income.
Andy 29/04/2016 at 4:22 am
Hi, My son is 18 (19 in September) and will be taking A levels in May - June. He will receive his results in August and will then either, go to Uni, take an apprenticeship or find work, depending on his grades. At what point do I stop paying maintenance? Is it when his exams finish in June, when he gets his results in August, or in September which is the date maintenance is calculated from?
Many thanks in advance.
fred 28/04/2016 at 7:30 pm
My son is 18 in a apprenticeship. 1 day at college. And works at a pub. a few shifts a week. Do I still have to pay maintenance. ?
LawAndParents Editor 26/04/2016 at 10:24 am
You do not usually have to pay maintenance to the child's mother if the child is resident elsewhere or is claiming benefits on their own behalf.
LawAndParents Editor 25/04/2016 at 12:55 pm
You could take it to court to apply for continuation fo maintenance. Your daughter may be entitled to Disabled Living Allowance - so the "state probably will take care of her" - but that's not necessarily the ethical solution on the part of the father.
dreamblob 25/04/2016 at 12:59 am
Hi there,
since finding out I had a daughter 2 years ago (now just turned 19) I went through the motoins to prove the usual. The mother and I agreed an amount of £200. But since last year in January my daughter moved out of her mothers and got a residency at a private/council run property. She claims through the system, to which it is directly paid to the company that provides flat/property. She is at college and does the 12 hours+ a week.
My question is, as she is now independent and claiming certain benefits, do I still have to pay the maintenance???
Wend 23/04/2016 at 6:37 pm
Hi , i have a 21yr okd daughter with special needs , her father says that in 2018 he is going to stop support and " let the state take care of her "
Can i still get maintenance for her whils she still lives with me ???
LawAndParents Editor 18/04/2016 at 11:37 am
Under the usual terms of statutory child maintenance he will not have to pay after the August in the year she completes A levels. However, if a private maintenance agreement was drawn up between the parents which included the university years, then yes he will need to continue payments.
piggies123 16/04/2016 at 2:36 pm
hi my step daughter lives with her mum,she is going off to Cambridge uni in sept and will reside there,she has a trust fund left to her to cover all education fees,does my husband still have to pay maintence for her she is 18 in july
LawAndParents Editor 15/04/2016 at 2:33 pm
Checked whether he has officially left education (of at least 12 hours per week). If so, your husband does not have to continue paying.
ness 13/04/2016 at 5:35 pm
My husbands son does not live at his mother's address he has given up college and is doing cash in hand work do i have to maintenance
LawAndParents Editor 07/04/2016 at 12:37 pm
The government child maintenance calculator will tell you how much you need to pay. You should continue paying while your daughter is in further education (a levels or equivalent) which usually ends the August after your child turns 18 but can be payable up to 19 or 20 depending on circumstances. You are entitled to ask if your child is in education and where etc.
Daz 06/04/2016 at 1:28 pm
My ex has put in for maintenance I haven't got a problem with paying for my daughter but she is 18 coming up and I never see or speak to her her choice and am doubtful that she is even going back to college in September how can I find out . If she is how do I even no she stays at college and if it's the right amount of time thanks
LawAndParents Editor 05/04/2016 at 2:55 pm
If the court agreement endes at the age of 17, then you can use the government's child maintenance calculator to establish how much to continue paying.
Deano 03/04/2016 at 10:25 am
My daughter turns 17 in October and the court order set up in 2001 comes to an end (£450 PCM)....Do I now go to the CSA or equivalent to assess what my new payments should be from October until she is 19 as she will be going to 6th form and then hopefully University?...I earn less now and have another dependant
JJ 24/03/2016 at 1:59 pm
Hi, my son is leaving school to start an apprenticeship, he is 16, the money isn't much, so does his dad still pay maintenance as my son won't be earning a lot?
Pb0123 12/03/2016 at 6:46 pm
My daughter is 18 in May, goes to university in September to do a degree, I pay maintenance under the 2003 scheme, when do I stop paying to her mother?
slinky 10/03/2016 at 4:00 pm
My husband owns a house with his ex and has paid the full mortgage payments since getting the house. Just wondering how long after his daughter leaves education can we sell the house... As we are unsure what rights we have as we paid for it whist she's been in education the mother hasn't paid anything..
Sonny 05/03/2016 at 4:14 pm
After passing his A levels at 18 my son decided to go to college to do a 2 year Level 3 course. He finishes the course in June. When can I stop paying maintenance?
LawAndParents Editor 02/03/2016 at 2:33 pm
If she will be in full time education at Alevel or equivalent then yes, you can ask for payment to continue until she's 20.
Ali 28/02/2016 at 11:43 pm
After my divorce the court order stated that my ex had to pay maintenance until our daughter either turned 18 or finished secondary education, which he did without any problems. Our daughter started an apprenticeship, but has told me that she is unhappy and wants to leave and go back to college in September. She will be 19 in August, does the court order mean I can ask my ex for maintenance again until she is 20? Thank you.
LawAndParents Editor 25/02/2016 at 10:16 am
This depends on what private arrangements are already in place e.g that you and your ex have already agreed on. In the case of statutory child maintenance you must pay if your child is under the age of 20 and in full time non-advanced education or approved training, or:
is under the age of 20 and child benefit is being paid for them. Access courses are usually equivalent to A' levels which would be considered full time non-advanced education.
LawAndParents Editor 25/02/2016 at 10:08 am
Whether the house is sold and how proceeds are divided is a matter for your and your husband to agree on. Child maintenance payments should be made up until your child finishes further education when she's 18 or 19. The sale of the house is not related to the maintenance payments unless you have some kind of court order in place for child/financial arrangements.
redwine 24/02/2016 at 11:12 am
Hi, my son has been excluded from school his 18 in November, at the moment he is doing nothing just lazing around, he thinks he may sit his A level and if he fails he will find a new school to sit them next year, do I have to continue to pay CSA.
Many thanks Red
Algy 23/02/2016 at 9:14 pm
My son has dropt out of sixth form twice. He got a rubbish paid job and has now got a place on an access course, starting in Sept. He will be 19 in May. I haven't paid maintenance for a bit. Will I have to start paying again?
lorrie 23/02/2016 at 9:09 pm
My daughter is 18 in October this year but my ex has gone bankrupt and the trustee wants half of my house as my ex is still on the mortgage and deeds. I saw a solicitor today and she said that they will only wait until my daughter's 18th birthday and not until she finishes her education which is next summer. Does anyone know which one is true? Also the solicitor said if they force a sale then I won't have a say over what they sell it for and I am better to sell now. I am concerned about doing this before my daughter finishes her schooling.
LawAndParents Editor 23/02/2016 at 2:35 pm
You do not usually need to pay maintenance if your child is working in a full time employment.
Matt 22/02/2016 at 8:42 pm
Hi my son has quit school at 17 and is now working full time do I still need to pay Csa to ex partner thanks .
Woody 20/02/2016 at 6:36 pm
I have 2 sons the oldest is 17 and doing his A level still living with his mum my ex-wife, the younger son 15 still in school has started living with me, the question is do I still pay the csa for oldest son or will one cancel the other out or pay for my oldest son at a reduced rate or continue to pay for him and claim csa from my ex for my son living with me.
Em 17/02/2016 at 4:05 pm
Hi my daughter is going on holiday with her dad (my ex )for 3 weeks whilst our son stays at home and says he's only paying maintenance for our son whilst there away he never has my daughter over night rest of the year as she doesn't want to go and stay I thought maintinace was payable 52 weekdays year am I right he should still pay full for both children as I've still a mortgage and bills to pay regardless
LawAndParents Editor 15/02/2016 at 11:10 am
Probably not, your partner's son is 17 and is entitled to live where he chooses - if he does, you do not have to pay towards his upkeep if you choose not to.
cosy021 12/02/2016 at 4:30 pm
Hello,

I am attempting to figure out when i stop paying CSA, Here is the situation.

My Daughter has turned 18 and has recently finished college, she is going to Uni in september. She moves out of her mothers out into her own house in 3 weeks with her BF which she has been provided by the council as she is a parent, she has a 2 year old.

As she is now 18 and moving out i assume her mother can no longer claim benefits for her. Am i liable to pay CSA to the mother or my daughter? (i have a private arrangement with the mother at present)

I will be giving my daughter some money anyways to help with the new house, i want to know if the eyes of the law do i have to?
Jules 12/02/2016 at 10:23 am
Hi, my partners son decided to move out two months ago telling us that he didn't like or want to live with us. He caused a lot of trouble with my partners family and he now lives with his aunty. we are very bitter as he has lied constantly. We cancelled child benefit. We still pay his mobile phone and he still has use of a car we bought. He is 17, 18 in July. I have done a little research and under the impression that we do not need to pay maintenance to his aunty? She want £400 per month. We don't have that kind of money. When he finishes school in May, surely he can get a job or unemployment benefit. I know it sounds awful about not paying but the son is a horrible manipulative person and has wrecked my partners relationship with his family and we believe he should learn from his mistakes. We jus need to know legally
Thanks in advance
Stokey 07/02/2016 at 8:14 am
Hi I have a daughter that is about to turn 18,she goes college 1 day a week doing a beauty course,she also has a part time job doing between 10 and 15 hours a week .do I stop paying maintenance when she's 18 please?
LawAndParents Editor 05/02/2016 at 11:08 am
Your partner can stop paying maintenance at the end of August before his daugher goes to university. This will not mean he can force the sale of the house - that will depend on what financial agreements were made when the separation took place.
frustratedtb 03/02/2016 at 10:03 pm
My partner is still paying maintenance for his daughter who is 19, 20 in October, she will be finishing her 2nd year at college in June & starting uni in September but lives with her mother. At what point can we stop paying maintenance & can we then force the sale of the jointly owned house they still live in, which we have continued to pay the mortgage on?
LawAndParents Editor 03/02/2016 at 2:04 pm
How many hours does she work? Is she still doing any form of training/education as part of her job? This will all have an impact on whether you need to continue paying for her.
chief 02/02/2016 at 8:11 pm
My daughter 16 , she was doing a college course but left this to start a job . Do aye still need to pay maintaince for her ?
LawAndParents Editor 02/02/2016 at 10:34 am
The DLA should not affect the amount your husband has to pay. In general if your husband's daughter is still living at home and is in further education (12 hours or more per week) he should continue to pay.
Lou 31/01/2016 at 10:46 am
If my husband's daughter falls pregnant but continues to live with her mother, will my husband have to continue to pay child support.

Also, she has been diagnosed with ADHD and her mother is claiming DLA as a result. Does this affect the amount of support my husband has to pay in anyway?
LawAndParents Editor 28/01/2016 at 11:29 am
If at college 3 days and is still under 18, yes you should continue to pay maintenance.
Millsy 26/01/2016 at 8:19 pm
My son was excluded from school at 15,I stoppped paying maintenance Jan 16 after his birthday in Nov 15,he is at college 3 days a week,I haven't seen him since Oct 15 am I within my rights to do this....the college course is an nvq
Louise 13/01/2016 at 11:34 am
Hello, my husband has two sons, the elder one is 20 and is at university and has a part time job. My husband stopped his maintenance payments after he turned 20. His other son is 18 (19 in April) and is living with his Mother (my husbands ex wife) and attends College full time. I just wanted to check should the payments stop at 19 or 20?
LawAndParents Editor 04/01/2016 at 2:25 pm
It's not clear what the payments you're making are for? If you have full residency you would not usually be expected to pay any child maintenance. Is this some kind alimony/support for your ex partner? Citizen's Advice may be able to help if you can give them the full details.
Fatheragain 03/01/2016 at 9:24 pm
Hi. I have recently been awarded full residency of my daughter. My ex has been given visitation but it has to be supervised once a month from 10am to 4pm. The judge has split the cost between the two of us.

The issue I have is that I cannot afford the £100 to £130 every four weeks. I had existing loans, mortgage etc that I have to pay and this is not realistic. They state I have to use my (once gained) child benefit for the contact.

Is this legal? is there a level of income that they have to allow you to have before they can take the money? I do not have enough left to pay all the bills literally.

Your help is appreciated.
Pam Sehmi 29/12/2015 at 10:39 pm
Is it possible if any solicitor can help me as a charity or donation god will bless you
Pam Sehmi 29/12/2015 at 10:37 pm
As i am mother of three kids when kids were under 18 my husband did not show any interest how i run the house & how i look after my kids he was so busy to play sport and never know what he earn . Many time he use to hit me i just stay quit because of my kids . As my kids grown up he take over my husband start teaching against me . if i will cook my husband do not let them eat meal cooked by Mum .He telling my kids if i am not look after you your mum will kill you .
So i am not allowed talk to my kids . My husband teaching Mum does not exist in our family.
LawAndParents Editor 14/12/2015 at 11:23 am
In general you do not have to continue to pay maintenance once your child goes away to university, unless you have already agreed to do so as part of an agreement.
Granty 13/12/2015 at 12:06 pm
My step daughter has turned 18 in November there, she is at university but also has a part time job. And her mother has recently told me I need to pay for her! Can anyone help me with this?
wally 11/12/2015 at 7:47 pm
Hi can someone help.. my daughter is 17 lives with my ex partner (not my daughters mother) she is at high school and has a part time job also should myself and her biological mother be paying child maintenance she chose to leave our family home we never put her out very confused here thanks in advance for any help.
LawAndParents Editor 11/12/2015 at 2:43 pm
The division of assets and finances is something you should agree on between you. If necessary a mediation service might be useful to help you draw up an agreement. You do not have to continue paying maintenance to the mother once your child turns 19/moves away to university.
Rob 11/12/2015 at 12:57 pm
my daughter is just turned (19 in November) she went away to university in september. I have been separated from her mother for 3 years, but continued to pay 80% off the bills ect, I have just sold the house and my wife is asking for 70% of the proceeds is this correct ?. I have arranged with my daughter to pay maintenance straight to her including any short fall in her university fees. Can anyone give me some advise
LawAndParents Editor 03/12/2015 at 12:43 pm
The receiving parent should have made the CSA aware of this. Let your daughter's mother know that the payments should have stopped in September (unless you owe arrears in which case they will continue to take payments until they are cleared). If she refuses, then write to the CSA with information about your daughter's education.
LawAndParents Editor 03/12/2015 at 10:51 am
In general a maintenance agreement would carry on until your daughter left further education. If it's an informal agreement then there you can ask your ex if she would agree to the alternative arrangement. If your daughter moves on to higher education, there is nothing to prevent you giving any support you wish, directly to her.
elsa 01/12/2015 at 8:03 pm
my daughter is 18 (19 in december) she went away to university in september. do i still have to pay csa? also how is the best way to go about stopping the payments with csa? i have heard they can be difficult
X1WUD 01/12/2015 at 11:48 am
My daughter turned 18 in November and is still at 6 form she works part time 27 hours a week. I say her mum direct debit every month which the amount was agreed between us. My ex 're married 5 year ago and doesn't claim anything due to amount of earning they get. I've paid now for 14 year since we split up and not missed. I would like to say my daughter instead of ex can I do this just stop paying and give it to daughter instead?
Dw 27/11/2015 at 5:04 pm
My son is 18 and is doing an apprenticeship his girlfriend has told him to move out but has now told him shes going to put claim in for child maintenance he only gets 15.00 a day but ten of that goes on expenses for the apprenticeship hes living back at home with us.how is he going to pay child maintenance on five pound a day.
LawAndParents Editor 23/11/2015 at 2:45 pm
it might be worth seeking legal advice yourself on this. There is no compulsion on a parent to pay maintenance at this age. Many separated parents agree to continue through university, but as your daughter has already taken an undergraduate degree and worked for year she should not realistically expect you to support her in this. There are grants available for teachers who want to train as well.
LawAndParents Editor 23/11/2015 at 2:39 pm
You should verify this with the Child maintenance service.
Eric 22/11/2015 at 10:16 pm
I supported my ex-wife and my two children until the children were both 18. I then paid maintenance directly to both children while they were at University; for four years in the case of my daughter.

After more than a year working, my daughter has now decided to return to Uni and train as a Primary School teacher; she is now 23.

I have refused to pay her any further maintenance, but I am now getting letters from a solicitor she has engaged, threatening court action, unless I resume payments. This cannot be enforceable surely?
Spud 22/11/2015 at 8:05 pm
Child age 15. Going to college next year but will be living with another relative during the week and going home to resident parent on weekends only. Should resident parent get all the maintenance or should non resident parent pay a percentage to relative?
LawAndParents Editor 10/11/2015 at 11:58 am
You should wait until you know what your daughter will do next, i.e whether she will find alternative part time training/education etc.
Mick 09/11/2015 at 9:07 am
Hello,

My daughter left school at 16 and went into further education. She will be eighteen on her next birthday. I have always paid maintenance since me and my daughters mum separated.

I have now just found out my daughter has been told not to return to college because of poor attendance. What happens with my payments now how does it work.
LawAndParents Editor 05/11/2015 at 11:48 am
Yes he still has to pay. If he wants to see his son and is experiencing difficulties, the courts may be able to help. He can also apply for a Specific Issue Order if he wants the name changed back to his own.
zoe harper 04/11/2015 at 5:54 pm
Please can someone help my husband has not seen hiss son for 4 years but still paying maintenance for him even though his ex has now married and the son has taken her husbands name does he still have to pay
Kaz 26/10/2015 at 11:51 am
I split with my daughters dad over 10yrs ago
She is now 18 and at uni . But he has now stopped paying for her im really struggling with short falls on accommodate and sending her cash every week i have two small children to feed to feed and working two jobs.
Can i take him to the csa ?
If I don't get help am afraid she will have to come home !
Pops803 22/10/2015 at 11:16 pm
My son is 17, he spends 2 days a week at college (12 hours) and comes home to me a few nights a week. He is not claiming benefits - is he eligible? He is looking for a job. His dad claims child benefit and I give him maintenance payments still. I provide well for my son besides the maintenance since he decided to live with his dad. Is this right? His dad does not seem to spend the money on him as I still have to pay for things such as clothes, haircut, oyster top up for college etc.
LawAndParents Editor 20/10/2015 at 11:40 am
It's usually based on the household income (any benefits are taken into account) plus any other children that live in the household. You can calculate it here.
Vicmorre 19/10/2015 at 9:27 am
Hi

Would the CSA take into account the non resident parent change in family circumstances I.e that his new partner (and mother of his other two children that he lives with), is on statutory maternity pay, hence a big reduction in family income at the moment?

Also, should the non resident parent be deducting student loan payments for the calculation to his ex? This is student loans that he used to support his ex and son while he was resident with them.

It seems the non-resident parents new family is being unfairly penalised and having to struggle to provide his old family with more than adequate needs.

(This question is in relation to my partner who pays maintenance through a mutual agreement with his ex for their son. My partner is now living with me and we have two children together. I have no problem with my partner paying maintenance, yet I feel the system does not take enough into account for the basic csa calculator I have found online).

I look forward to hearing your response on this.

Thanks
V
LawAndParents Editor 08/10/2015 at 10:58 am
No CSA usually stops when further education (up to a level standard) ends. Sometimes a private agreement for maintenance or a court order can extend it.
Claire 07/10/2015 at 10:48 pm
Hi my daughter is 18 and started university in September, she stills lives at home.will I continue to get csa?
LawAndParents Editor 06/10/2015 at 12:48 pm
They will not be likely to take the property situation into account. You can work out roughly how much maintenance you would be expected to pay (f you did so via the CSA/CMS) using this calculator.
NorthernLad 05/10/2015 at 3:52 pm
Hi

Just a quick question, I pay maintenance every week for my son private agreement without CSA involved, now the ex is demanding more and more every few months,

I just signed my half o the house over to her (basically gave her 40k) just to keep a roof over my sons head , were I could have been funny and made her sell etc.

my point is if I went through the CSA would they take the above into consideration when looking at maintenance payments, ?
LawAndParents Editor 30/09/2015 at 11:18 am
Yes in both cases.
beanie72 29/09/2015 at 11:05 am
Hi
we pay for my two stepkids which we do out of love and care,
his daughter is 16 and does a PT college couse and works PT too, do we still have to pay for her?
his son is 18 and just restarted 6th form do we pay till he is 20?

kind regards
Superdad1 19/09/2015 at 10:32 pm
@karen. - Did you have a private agreement for maintenance or were you dealing with the CSA. If it is the latter then, you would not be entitled to any more monies as your daughter is in advanced education and no longer classed as a child.
Karen 18/09/2015 at 3:06 pm
If my daughter is at university and is 18 should her father still pay matainance for her ?
Not to me but to her to help with her living cost ?
Ufoxed 17/09/2015 at 7:26 pm
I have been paying the CSA direct from my wages through my employer for the last 5years on a weekly basis. My sons have now reached an age that the CSA today informed me that I no longer have to pay and that my account with them can now be closed but there was still however a short fall of over a thousand pounds to pay. Just to be clear I have missed no payments what so ever over those 5 years.
I was so enraged with their attitude, they are the one's who are in control of taking my money and at no time in 5 years have they even mentioned that there was a shortfall each week.
They set the payment figure not I. They now expect me to carry on paying until any arrears are paid. I informed them of all pay rises that I have received and still I get stung so wrong and unfair but that's what this agency seems about.
I am considering paying it just to get them out of my life but I would sooner pay the £1000 to a charity other than this shower as I just don't know where it will end up.
Question; How can I fight this unfair extra payment? Is there any legal action I can take? I am so pi**** off .It is not the money just the system that is so wrong.
Regards Ufoxed
LawAndParents Editor 04/09/2015 at 11:32 am
It seems a silly thing to have to go to court over when the CSA/CMS could easily find this information out themselves. However, you might want to see a solictor just for some advice - the first half hour consultation with a solicitor is often free of charge if you shop around. Alternatively, the Citzens' Advice Bureau may be able to help.
jb 03/09/2015 at 6:53 pm
We tried going there ourselves but they say we have to go to court is that true?we can't afford to pay another lawyer
LawAndParents Editor 03/09/2015 at 2:11 pm
Go to them yourselves with proof that one of the sons is living with you.
jb 03/09/2015 at 10:52 am
My husband has 2 kids he pays maintenance for but for the passed 3 years 1 of his sons got kicked out from his mother and now lives with his dad,but we asked if she could change the maintenance payments since my husband still pays for the child he has living with him,what can we do or what should we do cause apparently she's not going to maintenance enforcement to get it changed
LawAndParents Editor 01/09/2015 at 2:16 pm
He should continue paying while they are studying or training for more than 12 hours per week until 31st August/when the course finishes. Their mother cannot insist on having the money in advance.
LawAndParents Editor 01/09/2015 at 9:37 am
It depends on what benefits or other income she has. Check it on the CM options website
Jen 01/09/2015 at 6:04 am
I am a concerned friend looking for advice ..
My friend is about to start paying maintainance after recently separating from his wife, he has 2 children still at home (twins aged 17) one is in full time education (college) the other has dropped out of college and works part time earning in excess of £350 a month .. Their mother is earning 40k a year and wants maintainance for both the children.. He has no quarms about providing for both of them but would like to know how long he should be paying for them. Also his ex has asked for a lump sum covering the ammount he would owe till they are 18.. ( as she says she does not trust him to pay.. The real reason being that she's in debt and needs the money to pay off her foreign holidays debt) Then pay monthly after that .. Please can you advise .. THANKYOU
D 31/08/2015 at 3:33 am
My child is 17 and preagnant living with her boyfriend on their own, do I still need to maintenance to her?
Trucker 28/08/2015 at 10:01 am
My son is now 18 and is off to university in September do I still have to pay maintenance for him
EnvRad 26/08/2015 at 12:36 pm
Hello,

my teenage child lives with their mum and we have an private agreement for maintenance. I live a long way from them... It looks like our child is going to move in with another family member. According to their mum, I know longer need to pay maintenance. Is this right? I am sure I am still legally responsible...
LawAndParents Editor 24/08/2015 at 11:43 am
Yes, as long as she is still at college and studying for at least 12 hours per week, you should carry on with maintenance apyments even if she has a weekend job.
LawAndParents Editor 21/08/2015 at 2:11 pm
If she is studying for more than 12 hours per week, you will need to continue CSA payments.
Snoopy 21/08/2015 at 1:08 pm
HiMy daughter is 18 in September 2015 and is due to start her second year of college, she has just started a part time job working at weekends and holiday time, approximately 16 hrs a week sometimes more, do I need to continue paying child maintenance until she leaves college?,Thanks.
steve 20/08/2015 at 1:34 pm
My daughter has just finished college intends to get a full time job but go to night school a couple of nights a week. She will be 19 in November am I still eligible to pay csa.
LawAndParents Editor 20/08/2015 at 12:36 pm
Usually, payments should continue in this type of circumstance until the age of 20 assuming it's an approved course and she is doing at least 12 hours of study.
steve 19/08/2015 at 5:33 pm
My daughter has just finished her a levels she is 19 in November. She didn't get the results she wanted to go to university. She now intends to get a part time job and go to college part time. When will my csa payments stop?
LawAndParents Editor 19/08/2015 at 2:43 pm
No it's more likely that the girl's nan should be paid the support especially as the CSA are no longer taking the payments. You may need to ask for specific advice about this try CM Options.
kelsmeach 18/08/2015 at 11:50 pm
my husband has not seen his daughter for 13 years - his ex would never allow contact - but we have always paid CSA - we have recently been contacted by the CSA saying that we needed to arrange payment direct - we have now been informed that his daughter has not been living with her mum for 4 years - and has been living with her nan - surely she is not entitled to this money ??
LawAndParents Editor 17/08/2015 at 2:21 pm
You'd have to seek advice from a legal professional about this, sorry.
Mozza 17/08/2015 at 7:55 am
Hi a girl I was seeing said I didn't have to wear a condom because she was barren and if she did get pregnant she would take the morning after pill. When I didn't commit to a relationship she decided to get pregnant as a punishment - she had lied about being barren. All this is documented in text from her messages she sent me. Can I fight having to pay child maintenance on the basis with any possibility of success?
Moosey 14/08/2015 at 5:21 am
Hi, my partner and I live in Bristol and his Daughter lives in Cornwall. We only get to see his daughter in the half terms in which she comes up to Bristol to stay the holidays with us, in the summer holidays she stays with us for the full 6 weeks, and we were wondering since she spends the whole of holidays with us does he still have to pay maintainance to his Ex even though his little girl is with us for the holidays and we have to feed and clothe her for 2 weeks plus at a time?
steve 13/08/2015 at 7:15 pm
My daughter has just finished college didn't get the results she needs for uni she intends to go to college part time and get a part time job. She turns 19 in November when will my csa payments finish.
Kris 08/08/2015 at 11:43 pm
Hi my husband is paying maintenance to his son and he's 17 turning 18 on January. The mum doesn't say nothing about his son to my husband. And the son told us that he's working part time and going to school at the same time but taking a course but construction. Do we still have to pay maintenance if he's working part time? I got 2 small kids too. Don't want to keep paying him forever.
MoJO 07/08/2015 at 10:40 am
My ex partner has reduced my child maintenance during the summer holidays as he says that my son is not at school therefore not having a school lunch, can he do this ?
LawAndParents Editor 04/08/2015 at 2:29 pm
@Nothanksg. No, the maintenance has to go to the parent with majority care until the child has finished further education (a level standard). There is some more information in our article: Paying maintenance or child support.
Nothanksg 03/08/2015 at 8:42 am
Hi, my husband has 2 children by his ex wife. They are 13 and 15. When the oldest one reaches 16 (he is planning to stay on at school) can we pay his child maintenance direct to him?
leia 30/07/2015 at 6:14 pm
My husbands daughter is moving out of her mothers house and into her own place. She is 18. Will the csa payments he regularly makes to her mother stop? If so, would he need then to make those payments to his daughter seeing as he will be still financially responsible for her til she is 19?
LawAndParents Editor 31/07/2015 at 12:56 pm
@Stepmother. It's probably best to contact the CSA to ask them to investigate.
Stepmother 29/07/2015 at 7:26 pm
We don't know if his mother is still receiving child benefit as she refuses to speak to us, answer texts, open the door etc. Is there any way to find out?
LawAndParents Editor 31/07/2015 at 10:44 am
@Cat. If her mother is still receiving child benefit, it's likely that child support is also payable. Usually if a child is in further education (not university level) of at least 12 hours a week, maintenance is payable up until 31st August after the course ends.
Cat 29/07/2015 at 9:33 am
My 18yr old stepdaughter finished a 12 week college course recently beginning of July and is also working part time hours varying from 18hrs to 25hrs. Should my husband still be paying csa and should her mother still be getting child benefit.
JD 29/07/2015 at 1:40 am
Should I still be paying csa to my ex when my children have been removed from her care by the local authority?
LawAndParents Editor 29/07/2015 at 2:09 pm
@Stepmother. If there is no element of study for the course (and depending on who is paying for it) then you may be able to stop paying. Is child benefit still being paid? That's quite often a good indicator.
Stepmother 28/07/2015 at 1:06 pm
My partner's son moved in with us in April this year - he was 17 in June, he began an apprenticeship in April which does not involve attending college etc and he is paid by the employer (not a lot!). My partner has been paying his ex via the CSA regardless of the fact that his eldest child now lives with us (he still has two other children living with their mother). Should the payments for his eldest son now stop? Should his ex now pay child maintenance to us? Although after reading a lot of these comments it would now appear that nobody is entitled to claim any payments due to his circumstances. Can anyone please clarify?
Stevie 21/07/2015 at 8:18 pm
Hi I pay maintenance for my son who is 16 years old he is staying on at school but not for higher education as grades were not good & he also gets eduction maintenance allowance should I still paying
anon 21/07/2015 at 12:35 pm
We pay maintenance for 15 year old . He also works weekends and holidays do we still have to pay ?
Babycakes979 20/07/2015 at 5:02 pm
Hello my husband has 3 children from previous marriage one is of school age , the second is just startingb a levels at college and the 3 rd is 19 in Oct and starts uni in September , does he still need to pay for the 2nd and 3rd and till when ?
Many thanks
Angel 16/07/2015 at 12:01 am
My partner has 17y daughter who has her own baby . ( few months old ) she is leaving now with her mother ( previous to that she was living with the father of baby) she does not attend college .she lost her job and give baby away to the father of the child who as well contact CSA to make her pay for baby.
now Q is do my partner has to pay his ex if his daughter ll pay on her own kid? We know that money will be spent on drugs party and alkohol
LawAndParents Editor 08/07/2015 at 10:55 am
@jemcol. This depends on whether she is claiming any other support/benefits. Usually you would continue to pay until 31st August.
JemCol 03/07/2015 at 2:48 pm
My step daughter was 18 in March, she is at college full time for child care. the maintenance money is paid via CSA to her bank account. She has recently moved into her own flat, do we still have to pay this.
LawAndParents Editor 07/07/2015 at 10:38 am
@Andy. Yes you should continue until 31st August.
Andy 02/07/2015 at 9:08 pm
Hi. My daughter is 18 and has now finished her A level courses. Do I need to continue to pay maintenance until 31st August (when Child benefit ends) or can I stop paying now?
s 01/07/2015 at 8:42 pm
I pay maintenance for my daughter who is 19 in November she has just finished her a levels 2 weeks ago before she goes to university in September. When will my maintenance payments stop.
LawAndParents Editor 01/07/2015 at 12:09 pm
@blossom. Yes he will need to continue paying until her a level course ends.
Blossom 28/06/2015 at 11:37 am
My granddaughter is 17 & doing A levels. She intends to go to Uni next year. She now has a part time job, 16 hours a week. Does my son still have to pay csa?
helz 24/06/2015 at 1:29 pm
my step daughter has refused to attend school since she turned 14, foes my husband still need to pay maintenance.
Floss 17/06/2015 at 9:25 pm
My ex husband is on income support.I have one child and he has our eldest who I pay CSA for. My son who lives with my ex is 18 and on a college course that is 15hours a wweek should I still be paying CSA?
LawAndParents Editor 16/06/2015 at 2:34 pm
@Annoyed Dad. Yes unfortunately you do.
Annoyed dad 12/06/2015 at 1:28 am
My son turned 17 3 weeks ago.His mother and I split up 5 years ago.In that time I have barely seen him.The last time been 3 years ago.His decision.I have tried my best to stay in his life.I have sent many cards,letters and texts.All without reply.As far as I know,he is in full time education.I pay his mother maintenance every week via standing order.
I know that the normal rule is to pay until he is 19 in this situation.My question is,do I still have to maintenance for a 17 year old who wants nothing to do with me,even though I have tried my best to keep in contact until he is 19?
LawAndParents Editor 16/06/2015 at 10:36 am
@Adviceneeded. Is it a type of course (eg. university level) for which she can apply for a "student loan"? If so then no, you won't have to pay. Otherwise, yes you should.
adviceneeded 11/06/2015 at 11:28 am
My daughter has just turned 18, and has completed her course at college, but is going to do another course in Nails. As this is not towards a A level qualification do I need to continue payments until she is 19 or can I end them and maybe give payments to my daughter directly if I wish to?
LawAndParents Editor 16/06/2015 at 10:34 am
@Birma04. Yes as long as the apprenticeship is an "approved" course and involves some training/college attendance, then you should continue paying maintenance.
Birma04 11/06/2015 at 11:26 am
My stepson was 16 last September and leaves school this week (June). He is planning to do an apprenticeship course at college starting in September. He has stayed with us for 3 nights per week since he was 2 years old and with his mother for 4 nights. We have always begrudgingly paid her maintenance despite funding most things already for him as she has 2 other a children and her partner doesn't work. My stepson works at weekends to earn himself a bit of pocket money. Do we still need to pay maintenance for him now? Its all very confusing.
LawAndParents Editor 11/06/2015 at 11:51 am
@Vicks. It depends on the nature of the apprenticeship and whether any time is spent in college/training etc.
Vicks 07/06/2015 at 8:46 pm
My partner has being paying CSA for 17 years, but his daughter starts a full time apprentaship will he still have to pay CSA now she's working, and does it stop automatically or does he have to stop it
andy 07/06/2015 at 9:42 am
I pay csa for 2 daughters at present but have just found out that my 14 year old has just had a baby and is no longer in full time education I presume that she will now receive benefits her mother has never worked and is on benefits. Will I still be required to pay csa for her.
Step-mum 02/06/2015 at 12:21 pm
My step-son is 17, 18 in October, and is currently living with his mother and sister. My husband pays maintenance on an agreement they made between them (although the CSA have previously been involved).

If my step-son moves out of the house he currently lives in with his mother and moves into his girlfriend's parents (they are expecting a child in September), do we still need to pay maintenance to his mother for him? He is currently in college, three days a week, but has applied for an apprentiship. So my questions are:

1 - if he goes onto an apprentiship is this classed as working and therefore we do not have to pay maintenance regardless of where he lives?
2 - if he stays at college and moves into his girlfriend's parents house with the baby - do we still have to pay maintenance to his mother for him, when he is no longer living at home?
3 - If he and his girlfriend were to move in with us and he continued going to college, and his sister is still at home with his mother, do we still have to pay maintenance for his sister, when we have him at home with us? I.e. each parent has one child.

Thanks.
LawAndParents Editor 01/06/2015 at 10:17 am
@dad. As long as your daughter has finished her education you can stop paying her mother and pay your daughter directly to support her.
dad 29/05/2015 at 8:01 am
Hi

My daughter turned 18 back in March, she has been at college on a learning support course to help her with life skills as she struggled at school this course ended today, she also use to get a bursery from the college, i was quite happy paying upto she turned 18 and expected to stop paying at her 18th birthday but her mother wants payments continued until september, am i obliged to pay upto september or can i stop now and start putting it in an accounts for my daughter and not her mother
Jan 21/05/2015 at 2:43 pm
My partner has a private agreement drawn up by a financial advisor 10 years ago agreeing to pay maintenance to his daughter until she leaves full time education. She has retaken her second year at college, is 19 and finishes college in June . My partner is happy to pay until July, but now his ex wife says that he must pay till September as this is the rules of the CSA.... He has not got an agreement with the CSA and has paid over and above the minimum all this time... Does he need to follow CSA guidelines with a private agreement?
LawAndParents Editor 22/05/2015 at 9:55 am
@j. Asking her is probably the most realistic solution. If you're paying through the CSA, you could ask them to investigate.
j 19/05/2015 at 3:25 pm
We have been paying csa for 18 years. My husbands daughter turned 18 in April, we know she has been working since december but not sure if full time. Is there any way we can find out if she is till attending college? (We have strong reason to believe she is not).

Also, if it is the case that she has "dropped out" are we then entitled to claim back what we have paid since she left college?
LawAndParents Editor 18/05/2015 at 12:47 pm
@Ally. We are not sure how you'd be able to prove that your son was not attending college during this period. He was still sending in course work after all. You could try and ask for some information from his employer to state that he was working full time during the period in question, but they would not be duty bound to provide it.
Ally 13/05/2015 at 6:06 pm
My son will be 18 in July - he tells me that he has not attended college since February but is still sending in course work. Until yesterday he was working full time but was then sacked and now has another job for 16 hrs per week. His mother has applied to the CMS because she says I should continue to pay until he is 18. Although I have told CMS that he has been working full time, they have told me that it is my responsibility to prove he is not attending college. Can you advise how this can be done and if I should be paying maintenance? Many thanks
LawAndParents Editor 15/05/2015 at 10:44 am
@Rubyroo. As a university student your daughter will be expected to pay for her fees and accommodation as she would if she were away from home at uni. This is normally done through a combination of student loan and part time work. Therefore, you should ask her to pay rent to help pay for her share of any utilities, food etc. You can try the Turn2Us website to see if you may be entitled to support. As she's now independent you may also be able to consider full time work.
Rubyroo 11/05/2015 at 6:13 am
My daughter is starting uni degree in sept, she will still be living at home, I am part time self employed and have been told my child tax credits and working tax credit and maintenance and child benefit STOP.....this totals £210 loss of income per week, what other help can I get ?
LawAndParents Editor 14/05/2015 at 12:48 pm
@Peanut. Try the CMOptions website to get an overview of the maintenance payments that would be expecte in a case like yours. If your partner is not happy with the situation, he should first try to make an alternative agreement with his ex , if he is still not satisfied he could then refer it to the child maintenance service.
Peanut 10/05/2015 at 11:38 am
Sorry i meant 3 out of 7 and the other days his nan has him! Been up all night with the baby! ??
Peanut 10/05/2015 at 11:36 am
Hi. My parter pays his ex 30 pound per week but 3 out of 5 days we have his son and the other 2 hes at his nans due to her working stupid hours. Should we be paying maintenance at all considering she doesnt even look after the child!
LawAndParents Editor 08/05/2015 at 12:31 pm
@Jacey. If you eldest is not in any form of education at the moment, you do not have to pay CSA. You will have to continue with child support for your second child until the age of 18 as all children must now stay in some form of education or training until their 18th birthday.
jacey 03/05/2015 at 6:07 pm
Have separated from ex wife over 2 years ago have 3 children eldest just turned 18 and not in further education has worked on and off second child 16 doing gcse youngest turned 11. Should I be paying csa for the eldest? Am I correct in thinking if the second child leaves school and decides not to study for A level but does attend a college for further education do I stop paying csa payments on the 31st August (after they turned 16)? Any response much appreciated
LawAndParents Editor 06/05/2015 at 10:00 am
@Hawkman. All further education is valuable. It may help her get a job or onto a related university course. Why do you not want to continue supporting this further study?
hawkman 28/04/2015 at 12:40 pm
My daughter is 19 and does 2days a week at college only ,why am I still paying csa , the course shes on is not recognised by university shes planning on going to , shes planning on hnd but whats the point she wont have qualifications for uni , ive spoke to csa but they wont speak to me , I could be paying csa for 2 years for nothing , and while she was at college she had a part time job should have csa not ceased
LawAndParents Editor 29/04/2015 at 11:33 am
@socks. She will not be able to claim anything herself unless she has a job. So continued support will be needed especially if she remains eligible for child benefit.
socks 23/04/2015 at 10:35 pm
Thank you for reply..but maybe i didnt put it right..she has left college after just 3 months..so she is no longer in education or training..her mother says she can still claim child benefit until sept 2015 so child maintenence still has to be paid...( she will be 17 in june)
LawAndParents Editor 23/04/2015 at 12:39 pm
@socks. If she is still doing any kind of education or training as well as the job then yes.
socks 20/04/2015 at 9:27 pm
My stepdaughter left school last yr..she started college in sept but left in jan this yr..she has part time job..do we still have to pay maintenance?
LawAndParents Editor 22/04/2015 at 11:06 am
@greenleaf. He's still in seconday education (and has to remain in some form of education or training this school year anyway), so your husband should continue paying for now.
greenleaf 19/04/2015 at 7:38 pm
Divorce Consent order states maintenance should be paid to my husbands ex wife for his 2 children. States until end off secondary ed or when they reach 17 - whatever is later. His son goes to college 3 days a week ( Not A levels) and is 17 in July.
Where do we stand ?
LawAndParents Editor 15/04/2015 at 10:06 am
@brido. If you son is 17 he should still be in some form of education or training. Legislation states that "You must stay in some form of education or training until your 18th birthday". Your son cannot simply be doing nothing. So you need to speak to him and find out more before making a decision to stop paying support.
brido 13/04/2015 at 1:30 pm
my son is coming up to be 17 and the last i heard he had stopped going to college.do i still need to pay child support if he doent go to college.he also doesnt work.any answers will be grateful.
LawAndParents Editor 08/04/2015 at 12:35 pm
@wc. If he is in college for more than 12 hours per week, you should continue to make payments.
wc 05/04/2015 at 8:04 pm
My 16 year old son who lives with his mother is at college and as a part time job. Do I still after pay child maintenance
tireman 01/04/2015 at 3:15 pm
Hi my 17 year old stepdaughter lives with her father, she left school in September but did nothing in education until 6 weeks ago, she took a 16 week course at a training collage which if she passed would lead her into an apprenticeship. But she has said that she is quitting this course and returning home and not going back into education. Where does my wife (the daughters mother) stand with paying CSA payments to the father.
kezla 01/04/2015 at 12:34 pm
My 18 year old daughter is at full time college but has also just got a part time job contracted 16 hours but she is currently doing many hours over that. I have a payment agreement with her mother who she lives with full time. Should I still be paying child maintenance. ? And to what age should I be paying for her ?
LawAndParents Editor 31/03/2015 at 2:19 pm
@John. Yes this is correct. Contact the CSA to stop the payments if you no longer wish to continue.
John 27/03/2015 at 10:06 pm
Hey, hope I can get some advice please on my situation. My son is 18, lives with with his mother and I have a CSA arrangement. Its unclear if he is still studying but he definitely was until June 14. He now has 2 jobs and my CSA payments continue, but as I understand it, if he isn't doing an average of 12 hours study then my payments should end as Child Benefit entitlement should end? Hope anyone can clarify this please, thanks in advance.
LawAndParents Editor 31/03/2015 at 10:20 am
@Alastair2727 - if she has left school and has a job or is claiming benefit then you no longer need to pay child maintenance.
alastair2727 26/03/2015 at 4:25 pm
my daughter has now left school but isnt working........... she was born may 97, so doesnt qualify to be kept at school till 18 .......... this is my question regarding my last post
LawAndParents Editor 26/03/2015 at 10:42 am
@Alastair2727. You should still pay while your daughter is in full time education up to the A level stage. If after that you want to continue support, you could come to some private arrangement with your daughter.
alastair2727 23/03/2015 at 4:37 pm
my daughter was born may 1997 .... myself and her mother seperated nearly 6 years ago and i have been paying C/M to her mother every month since ..... my daughter hasnt been syating with her mother since sept 14 and i made the C/M payment to my daughter directly as she stays with her boyfriend .... she is leaving school this friday and trying to get a job, but will go to jobcentre first ......... what happens with my payments ,am i obliged to stop them or do i need to keep paying .... obviously i will not see her stuck, but i have paid C/M faithfully to my ex for 3 kids every month but dont want to be getting done over
LawAndParents Editor 18/03/2015 at 12:29 pm
@Essexman72. Yes, you will have to continue paying as long as your son is in education. Note that it is a requirement for all young people to stay in some form of education or training until their 18th birthday if they were born on or after 1 September 1997.
Essexman72 16/03/2015 at 11:23 am
My son turns 16 in June I pay cm to my ex not though csa do I have to continue to pay once he reaches 16
LawAndParents Editor 06/03/2015 at 11:48 am
@SP.wilkes - no you should not have to pay CSA based on what you've told us. You will however, lose any child benefit etc that you were receiving for her.
Sp.wilkes 03/03/2015 at 4:16 pm
Hi. I have a 17 year old daughter who has been staying with her dad for a few weeks . I have asked her if she is come home . She has said she is not sure what she is doing yet .
Today the CSA have rang as he has said she live with him permanent , which is news to me . The payments have now been suspended until it is sorted out . I have been told by the Csa that if she did move out a few weeks ago I will have to pay back the money . I have asked her twice but she insisted she doesn't no what she is doing yet .
I told them she has stated due to falling out but she has not said she is not comeing home .
I also have a 2 yr old son and daughter 6 who is registered disabled and my husband is also registered disabled . I am there full time carers .

If she does not come home will I have to pay CSA to my ex , I have Heard I won't need to as I am the full time carer of my daughter and husband and I am not working and I get income support and carers slowence .
Please can you help put my mind at ease .
Thank you .
Chris 26/02/2015 at 8:49 am
Can I just say I work 50 hours a week and pay my ex for my two girls...every week....I can't afford to eat properly and is overdrawn so a big well done to who ever came up with maintanace set at such a high level,but hey at least my ex has two jobs claims benifits oh and gets a bonus of me every week...
LawAndParents Editor 23/02/2015 at 2:01 pm
@gooner. Is this paid through the CSA or CMS? If so, then contact them for more information. If it's simply a private agreement then you can simply make new arrangements.
Gooner 20/02/2015 at 4:31 pm
I have two sons 17 and 15. My eldest will be18 in July and is off to university. How much as a percentage does my maintenance drop by. I seem to remember it's not 50% but I can't find anything to say how much it drops by.
LawAndParents Editor 23/02/2015 at 1:55 pm
@PG. If he is on a wage then maintenance is not payable. Some foundation apprenticeships are classed as education for child support payments though. take a look here for more information.
PG 20/02/2015 at 4:02 pm
I am struggling to find advice anywhere!! My son turns 18 in 2 months, his dad is trying to pay me the back payments he owes (paid nothing for 2 years) He is an apprentice plumber now, on an apprentice wage. Does that still count as education? Should I receive maintenance until he is 19?
LawAndParents Editor 23/02/2015 at 10:09 am
@galant. The only easy way to find this out is by speaking to the boy's mother or the boy himself.
galant 19/02/2015 at 10:06 am
My husband pays maintenance for my stepson who is 17 we haven't had any contact for 8 years due to his mother,we don't know if he is at college or in employment and want to know how we find out.
LawAndParents Editor 18/02/2015 at 12:05 pm
@Paula. Yes if she is in full time education he should pay until she is 19 (sometimes 20 depending on the circumstances)
Paula 16/02/2015 at 11:01 pm
My daughter is 17, she was in college for a year and then left. Her father stopped paying CSA after she left college and went into full time work. She is now planning on going back into college she will be 18 by the time she is back in full time college, will her father be entitled to paying CSA again?
LawAndParents Editor 16/02/2015 at 10:40 am
@lalalala. Yes your ex should still pay CSA if you son is in full time education. If you decide to pass it on to his aunt that's fine.
lalalala 12/02/2015 at 7:52 pm
my 17yr son stops with his aunt during week term time as she lives close to his college. I am still financially supporting him....clothes food etc what a parent does usually. I pay my aunt for letting him stay...eg towards bills. where do I stand with csa payments should ex still pay?
LawAndParents Editor 13/02/2015 at 2:31 pm
@Liberty. This is quite an unusual situation - you will need to speak with someone from the CSA or even the Home office to establish how long you need to spend in the UK to remain classed as a UK resident for these purposes.
Liberty 12/02/2015 at 7:40 am
My husband has got a job in Qatar and we leave at the end of March. I currently receive maintenance for my two daughters aged 14 and 16 through the CSA (they collect the payments).

The CSA called me yesterday to inform me that when I leave the UK, they can no longer collect the payments.

The 14 year old child is coming with us to Qatar and the 16 year old will remain in the UK at a boarding school that she has opted to go to and my husband will be financing that.

My ex husband told me yesterday that he would no longer be paying any maintenance to me as he didn't have to. He claimed he would put the money aside and if they needed anything he would help them. I posed the question that after March he should then be paying fro her swimming fees and mobile phone contract etc. as he would not be paying me any maintenance to which he has refused.

Can I be deemed a UK resident if I return to the UK for so many days per year and am still paying tax on the UK and continue to voluntarily pay Ni contributions is that a way that the CSA could still collect payments for me?

Is there any way I can continue to receive the maintenance either through the CSA or court? I would have to represent myself at court as I believe it would be too costly. Can the 16 year old who will be resident in the UK ( (The court previously awarded me residency many years ago) can she claim maintenance payments herself through the CSA?

There is also a court order in place and my ex husband said he would only agree to the 14 year old going to Qatar if I agree to pay for 3 trips back to the UK per year for her... and he won't pay any maintenance! Any help would really be appreciated.
Thank you
LawAndParents Editor 11/02/2015 at 1:43 pm
@jocky. If the son is in full time education maintenance can be payable up until the age of 20. Special arrangements can be made for payments to continue after this date via the courts.
jocky 08/02/2015 at 5:58 pm
Hi separated have a 15 year old autistic son whom i pay for been told by his mum my ex partner i need to pay maintance till he is 25 she says its law ???? Really
LawAndParents Editor 09/02/2015 at 11:09 am
@moongirl. If he's on record as being in education (according to the CSA) then he probably is.
moongirl 04/02/2015 at 11:12 am
Want to know how we find out if hubby 17 year old boy is still in full time education as we have no contact with him and never have. We believe he is working as his Facebook page says so! Have tried csa only to be told that as the mother is still claiming child benefit he's still in education. This is the only check they do but think she maybe claiming even tho he's working
LawAndParents Editor 22/01/2015 at 2:31 pm
@iceman.Yes, if he is under the age of 19 and you're his father you should be paying to support him.
iceman 20/01/2015 at 6:44 pm
My son is adhd currently living with his mum he is not in full time education or employed. The mother has recently contacted me after 14 years of being kept Away from my son. Do I have to pay csa
ab 08/01/2015 at 7:00 pm
Hi I am farther of 5 children 3 boys age 4, 2 , & 1 who live with me and my wife and 2 teenage girls age 18 and 16 who live with my ex. What age do I have to stop paying csa for girls. How do I calculate how much csa I should be paying for girls. Cheers
LawAndParents Editor 07/01/2015 at 11:38 am
@turkish delight. He will need to continue paying until his son completes school - up to A level standard. He may wish (understanably) to continue to offer support to his son through college, especially in view of his son's autism. Many parents come to a private arrangement over this.
Turkish delight 04/01/2015 at 3:34 pm
My husband son goes to a special school as he is autistic. You go to the school until your 19. His birthday is in oct , so he will start another year before he is 19 and will be nearer to 20 when he finishes that school. When does my husband stop paying maintanence as his ex wife is planning to put him into college for another 2 years after he finishes school when he will be nearer to 20 years off age.
LawAndParents Editor 26/11/2014 at 10:30 am
@bendy. If you son is still in full time education then yes, his father should still be paying support.
bendy 24/11/2014 at 10:24 pm
My son is 17 and unfortunately my partner has kicked him out he can't claim benefit as he not old enough but should his dad still be paying maintainance for him to support his son or not I give my son what I can as I don't work at present just need to know if his dad should still be supporting him
LawAndParents Editor 11/11/2014 at 2:49 pm
@SaveS.Yes if your child is still studying and is under the age of 19 you still have to support them.
Save S 11/11/2014 at 12:36 pm
I think it is shocking that you never actually answered the original question but simply side stepped it by replying " you have a parental responsibility".

The question was simple - Do you have to pay if your son/daughter no longer lives with the residential parent?
Homerj 06/11/2014 at 2:36 pm
My daughter is 15 and i have recently learned that she is not living with her mother but placed in a foster home. I currently pay maintenance through the CSA to the mother. Do i still need to pay my ex partner? Are payments still required?
LawAndParents Editor 04/11/2014 at 11:50 am
@Gary. You will need to wait until he decides what he is doing next. At the moment he will most likely need your continued support. If he gets a place on a programme/college led course you will need to continue support. If he is lucky enough to get an employer's apprenticeship programme then you will not need to continue. Bear in mind that as of 2013 all children need to stay in some sort of education (or apprenticeship) until they are 18.
Gary 03/11/2014 at 7:54 pm
My son was attending 6th form and has decided not to go back for the second year so did not return in September. Can I now stop paying maintenance as he says he is applying for apprenticeship and has no intention to return to school. Some advice would be great please
LawAndParents Editor 04/11/2014 at 10:20 am
@Dazzy. Child support payments do not usually apply to university level education.
Dazzy 03/11/2014 at 4:17 pm
Hello,
I need advice regarding my 20 year old and 18 year old daughters,
The Tertiary education seems to be a bit of a grey area,
Eldest daughter is currently at university doing a Masters degree, do I still have to carry on paying monthly maintenence ? As I have been paying maintenence for over 10 years
18 year old daughter is currently doing her English Degree at Uni .
Any advice you could give me would be hugely appreciated
Regards
LawAndParents Editor 29/10/2014 at 11:24 am
@depresse! Wouldn't it be easier to let his dad take him on the holiday? You have to pay for a CMS agreement so you would not gain anything by trying this course and changing what has so far been a successful maintenance agreement.
depressed! 27/10/2014 at 4:10 am
Hi,

I have received £225 maintaince for my child by way of a private maintaince agreement for the last 8 almost 9 years, it goes up slightly when he gets a rise. Dad is asking for mediation as he wants to take him away on holiday and I've said no. I can't afford mediation so I want to go through the CMS for more money so I can pay for the mediation. Will I be allowed to even though he's never missed a payment?
LawAndParents Editor 28/10/2014 at 11:14 am
@Kat. Yes he should if she's only working 10.5 hours. He should want to carry on supporting her anyway at this stage of her life :-)
kat 25/10/2014 at 7:33 pm
Hi, my daughter is in full time non advance eduction but has started a 10.5 hours a week part time job, does my ex still have to pay maintenance?
LawAndParents Editor 08/10/2014 at 2:36 pm
@debs35. It depends how they courts (or mediator etc) have calculated the amount of child support and who pays it. The fact that your daughter is 16 and in f/t education means that she still needs supporting financially.
debs35 06/10/2014 at 12:11 pm
My husband & I are separating and we have 2 children. 8yrs & 16yrs. The 16yr old will be living with her dad full time and the 8yr old will be with me full time.. However with my work my son will be at his dads house 3 nights a week, just sleeping there. Do I have to pay child support to my husband whom has the 16yr old and whom is in full time education..
LawAndParents Editor 30/09/2014 at 11:52 am
@wacko. As long as your son is still doing more than an average of 12 hours a week supervised study or course-related work experience, you should continue to pay, regardless of his part time job. He does after all, still need accomodation, food, clothing etc...
LawAndParents Editor 29/09/2014 at 11:16 am
@deedee. As you're already splitting costs of her upkeep, is there no possibility of simply splitting the cost of the extras? If you cannot agree, then you will need to consider using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS). CSA is no longer available for parents who were not already using the scheme prior to 2012. The CMS now manages all new applications for a statutory arrangement. It uses slightly different rules to the Child Support Agency. It's always best to try and come to a private arrangement as the CMS charges an application fee (plus collections fees if relevant). To work out how much CMS should be paid, they take the following into account. "the paying parent’s income the number of children who need child maintenance how often those children stay overnight with the paying parent if there are any other children who the paying parent (or their partner) get child benefit for if the paying parent also pays child maintenance for any other children"
Deedee 25/09/2014 at 9:03 pm
Hi,
My daughter is 17 yrs old, living away from home and studying a full time foundation course. My husband and I are separated. We are currently splitting the cost of her upkeep. Am I entitled to claim official maintenance payments from him for our daughter? There are extra costs involved for her that I am finding I have to pay alone.
ad 18/09/2014 at 9:07 pm
My daughter is 19 will be 20 in April 2015 she has just started college again in the duchy college she lives with her grandad what age dose csa stop I can't find out when it stops they keep moving the age and date please help thank you
LawAndParents Editor 02/09/2014 at 12:50 pm
@pauly. If he is definitely no longer in full time education then you may not need to continue to pay maintenance. You can of course, as you suggest, continue to support your financially via other means.
Pauly 01/09/2014 at 10:39 pm
Hi, my son who is 17 lives with my ex wife. I pay child maintenance direct to my ex. My son has left school after completing the first year of his A levels. He is now looking for a job, preferably an apprenticeship. Can I now stop paying my ex. I still wish to support my son but would rather do it directly through him.
phil 27/08/2014 at 11:27 pm
My daughter is still paying maintenace out of her disability payments she suffers with depression adh and personality disorder /epilepsy her son is 18 lives with his father were the payment goes he also gets a disability payment but has got a little job she has to pay 20 pounds a month i e 5 pounds a week surely she should not still be paying ?
Blondie 10/08/2014 at 10:01 pm
Hi, my husband is from the UK but we live in Australia, recently my husbands ex girlfriend in England, contacted us to say that her 16 year old son does not belong to her husband due to having a DNA test, and that he belongs to my husband. Will my husband have to back pay for all the 16 yrs in child support, if we find out that my husband is actually the paternal father?
Yippity 05/08/2014 at 8:23 pm
My husband currently pays child maintenance through the csa for his 17 yr old daughter. His daughter is now pregnant. She still lives with her mother but plans to move in with her boyfriend and hopes to continue in full time education. Is my husband still obliged to make csa payments?
Vic 20/07/2014 at 1:31 pm
My 18yr old daughter is pregnant and has finished her a levels, she may go back to study in the next year but this is unlikely as she will have a new baby. My ex has said that I have to pay the maintenance until she is 20yrs of age even though she Will be a mother and receiving income support, child benefit and tax credits as a single parent. Do I still have to provide for my daughter ?
LawAndParents Editor 25/06/2014 at 12:14 pm
@troubld waters. If it was drawn up as part of a divorce settlement/agreement, then the details should be specified therein. Your child will still need substantial support through university, so maybe you could arrange for the support to be paid directly to your child rather than via your ex wife?
troubledwaters 23/06/2014 at 4:14 pm
Hello. I pay maintenance to my ex wife. Our kids are now 17 and 19. The youngest is in compulsory education and then wants to go to Uni and the eldest will leave home in July to go to Uni. Our divorce and maintenance was settled through solicitors and my ex had it written into the court order that maintenance would be paid through titenary education, which my understanding is 'full time education at any age'. My query is, do I still pay the full level of maintenance if he has left home or can I reduce it ? Thanks for any help.
LawAndParents 17/06/2014 at 11:46 am
There are certain higher education courses, like apprenticeships, that do not count as full-time education, so you will need to double check with the CSA or the recently formed Child Maintenance Service. If they rule that you no longer have to pay, it will be your choice if you decide to continue (and by how much). You may want to consider helping your daughter out in other ways in order to be supportive, both financially and emotionally to her.
Stu 15/06/2014 at 8:17 pm
Hi my daughter is wanting to start an apprenticeship in September where she will in placement for 5 days a week earning £107 per week.

Will I still have to pay my ex maintenance?

Thanks
England2014 Editor 11/06/2014 at 10:04 am
@Jen. Yes it looks like he will be continuing to pay for another couple of years at least while his son is studying on his course for more than 12 hours a week.
jen 10/06/2014 at 1:02 pm
Hi, my husband has a private arrangement with his ex for child maintenance. His son has now turned 16, and will start an NVQ college course in electronics in september , which I belive will be more than 12 hours a week study. Does this count as full time education and mean we have to continue payment?
LawAndParents Editor 09/06/2014 at 11:18 am
@Rick. If the course involves study of more than 12 hours per week then that is still considered full time education and you will continue to pay until the school year in which your son turns 20
Rick 06/06/2014 at 9:58 pm
My 16 year old son who lives with his mother as we are divorced is leaving school on the 20 June and starting a course for motor mechanics in September at College. Do I still have to pay maintenance for him?
LIDDY 15/05/2014 at 5:51 pm
hI,

My stepson is 19 (20 in October) and has been at college since leaving school. My husband has always paid maintenance (not arranged through CSA) and we understand it can stop soon.

For the last year he has also been working for a fast food chain and is due to leave college in mid June and is not looking at further education. He has told us he will be working full time at the fast food chain, full time, until he can obtain an apprenticeship.

We have no idea if his mother is still receiving child benefit or if she knows when it will be stopping and says its none of our business. We cannot check this with the relevant office as they state it is private information.

Can anyone advise when we can stop paying the maintenance to the ex-wife

Many Thanks
richard1970 12/02/2014 at 11:30 am
My daughter is 18 years old (10/1/14) and she is currently attending college studying for A-levels towards going to university.
My daughter doesnt live with me but I am in contact with her, my question is, do i have a legal obligation to pay maintenance anymore and if i stop will it be referred to the CSA?, if i do have to pay, how long do i legally have to pay?

many thanks, over this stressful time
M&M 20/01/2014 at 8:21 pm
I have 2 daughters 17 & 19 that I have not seen for a a few years now ( thanks to their mother and new husband) I still pay child maintenance through the CSA but how do I find out if they 1) still live at home 2) are still in full time education?

thanks in advance
mally 28/07/2013 at 8:37 am
i have an 18 year old daughter who at 16 went to stay on at school then quit after 2 weeks and went on a prince of wales coarse she finished this in febuary 2012 and i am still paying csa her mother is still claiming child benefit is this legal also she has started work and i am still paying csa say ive still got to pay because her mother is claiming child benefit this cant be right can it please help because csa will not do anything at all
andy 15/07/2013 at 7:48 am
I am currently paying child maintenance for my 6 year old boy but just recently found out since march this year my son as been put under social services care. It has took 4 months for social services to contact me yet have still been paying csa to the mother who the child only has very limited visiting rights should I still be paying the mother csa?
confused 26/06/2013 at 12:38 pm
my partner left his wife 2 years ago and has been paying £750/month to support her (he earns £23K)
he has an 18 yr old who is going to uni (living in) in september and a 20 yr old who is has just finished his 2nd yr.
i have an 18 yr old and have had no support since last july - she is also gonig to uni in september.
i had been previously advised that by paying at that level the court would possibly see it as sustainable and she could have a case for spousal maintenance.
we went to see a solicitor yesterday and he was mainly interested in assests and looking at ways of a clean break/consent order.
he didnt seem interested in the monthly support and certainly didnt advise it be stopped in fact he looked briefly at my partners income his wifes income and made an approximation of her cost of living. He advised to pay between £400 and £550/month and was very vague about any sort of end date for this.
could this be that he needs to support her as she hasnt moved a new partner in?
I asked him specifically if he needs to continue to support 2 children who are in uni and he said yes.
is this correct as the advice is going to cost us £300?
also am i then entitled to support for my daughter?
Stahl 20/06/2013 at 6:46 pm
I have a 23 year old son who refuses to work, he lies and steels from everybody he knows. He can’t keep a job. Am I responsible to pay child maintenance? He is currently living with his mother and I'm not paying anything. In the past I gave him money for a deposit to buy a car, which he sold. Anything I give him he sells. I offered him a painting job at my house but he was not interested. He is 23 years old and he has no interest in looking for a job. What is my responsibility as a parent?
Nelly 19/12/2012 at 9:30 am
My daughter has finished school, she is attending an Apprenticeship in hair and beauty at college; it is 1 day a week study and 4 days working at her discrection. Should I still be paying maintenance as the college is less than the 12 weeks studying per week stated on alot of websites? (she is not 18 until May 2013)?...
matty 2 28/11/2012 at 3:57 pm
i had my son in 2007 the fathers name that was on birth ceritificatedidnt want to know because he found out that i had one night stand and so called friend told him he wasnt father but now hes contacted me he think he is the father and wants to pay but i couldnt tell dhss who the father was at time can i take a cheque from him for maintenance as with the new law iim allowed to keep my benefits
smithy 24/08/2012 at 8:55 pm
My 16yr old daughter has just left school she has just got her grades and will be enrolling for a 2yr travel and tourism with event management at college. This course is 3 days a week and will be approximately 24hrs per week, the course will give her in the end the equivalent of 2 A levels. She has just started at Subway takeaway on a part time basis she is on the minimum wage of £3.88 and is lucky if she works 2 days a week. My ex husband has just kindly informed me that he is stopping maintenance payments from August. My Question is this, is he within his rights to do this as she is still only 16 and she will be attending further education, or is this not the case of a college course not being further education. She resides with me and my husband and goes to him 2 nights a week.
Mango 15/08/2012 at 12:36 pm
Hi hope you can help. I am a single parent and my daughter is currently awaiting A level results and will hopefully start Uni in September. I would like to know if her father should continue to pay maintentence or an allowance while she attends. I have tried to talk to him about this. Is it something a Court would have to rule? thank you
Terry Editor 07/08/2012 at 2:29 pm
@Taff - there's no harm in asking for proof. You have to continue to pay for them while they are in full time education up until the year they turn 19 but if they are actually working then that should change.
Taff 06/08/2012 at 9:43 am
Can I ask for proof that my sixteen year old twin boys are going to college for 21 hrs a week, when continuing to pay maintence for them now they have left school, to ensure that I am not paying unnecessarily.
Penelope Editor 07/08/2012 at 2:31 pm
@JT - if your own circumstances have changed you can inform the CSA about it. Your ex's circumstances do not really affect it a great deal as long as the residency arrangements remain the same. They are still your children and you are obliged to support them.
JT 05/08/2012 at 7:24 pm
can I apply to pay less maintenance as my and my ex wifes circumstances have changed? she is now married and I am engaged and have 2 children (my biological daughter and my stepson) living with me and paying maintenance for my two minor children living with my ex
deano 31/07/2012 at 5:08 pm
My stepson is 19 in Nov '12 but left full time education back in Jan '12 & we informed the CSA of this but the parent with residency lied & said he was still at college even though he has a full-time job!! The CSA informed us of this & that they side with her that we have to continue paying maintenance til summer 2013 !! We have already paid maintenance Jan - Aug '12 when we shouldn't have & I need advise on what we can do to make the CSA believe us rather then my husband's ex!!
All suggestions would be gratefully received as we are now desperate & can't continue paying the £240 a month when we have 4 young children who are having to go without!!
Should we simply cancel the direct debit to the CSA ?
kaz 30/07/2012 at 9:57 pm
My husband daughter is 16 and going to college, she is going to be residential!, Does my husband still have to pay his ex wife, although she is not providing full support , or can he pay the college towards tuition fees?
nedneffah 24/07/2012 at 10:31 pm
My ex husband is thinking he can stop maintenance for our last daughter in September as she has left school, she is however going to college to do a full time course equivalent to A levels. As far as I am aware he is obliged to pay until she finishes this 2 year course like he did for our other two daughters, can you please confirm this for me? Thanks
monty 18/07/2012 at 11:51 am
Do I have to pay CSA if my son left full time education after a year in college and signed on for a year. He has now decided to return to full time education. He is currently 18.
Lill 30/05/2012 at 9:48 pm
My husband and I got full residence order for our grandson when he was a baby. His biological father did have contact with my son about 6years ago but he split with his partner and didn't get in contact, he rang a couple of weeks ago we asked our son who is now 13 years old if he wanted to talk to him and he said yes.My son spoke on the phone and things were good for a couple of weeks than it got where he would make excuses.My son has learning disabilities and has a full statement and attends a special school, anything that is not a routine he doesn't like it.My son came off the phone and told me his dad was going to speak to me next time he rings to see about him seeing my son, I want a crb check done before he sees him and want it in a contact centre what do I do
billy 28/05/2012 at 12:04 pm
I was made redundant 3 years ago and still do not receive an income. Do I still have to pay child maintainance agreed by a Court Order?

Thanks

Billy
spot 22/05/2012 at 9:24 pm
my child left school at 16 and went to college to learn hairdressing nvq 2 and 3. studying whilst working in a shop, she has just turned 18 can i stop maintainence payments now
cinderella 08/05/2012 at 6:24 pm
My husband is paying child support for his son now almost 18, he is finishing school this year (very soon) and going to do an apprenticeship at uni. Does my husband still have to pay child support if his son goes to uni ? If so, how long for?
Liz 08/05/2012 at 10:33 am
The information given here is incorrect. CSA should continue to be paid whilst young person, up to 19 years old is still in full-time non-advanced education. This means any further education up to and including NVQ level 3 qualifications. It does not have to be specifically A-levels as this site suggests, this is merely a guide to the level of education.
disillusioned 29/04/2012 at 7:54 pm
My partner has not seen his son since dec 2006, this was after a long time of pick ups and drop offs where the mother would EVERYTIME cause an argument usually ending up with the child being upset. We have since found out that the child is now known by the name of the man she has since married and the child uses this name in school (the child is 9 now), i think we should fight to see him but is the law really so much on the side of the mother? IF my husband was granted contact could the mother make it difficult for contact to take place and get away with it?? My hsuband has always paid for the child with the exception of when he was made redundant and after approx 1 year payments have been reinstated but she has refused them??? ... She has 3 children with 3 fathers my husbands son is the middle child the eldest child doesnt see his father either and has had HIS name changed THREE times depending who she is in a relationship with, how can she get away with this? On one of her rare reasonable days she admitted to me that my now husband the father of her child is a wonderful father (which he is) how can this go on?
ray 04/04/2012 at 8:14 pm
My husband wants to know if his daughter has been attending her college course as he believes she hasn't.
His daughter wont allow him to see her tutor.
What rights has he to ask the college tutor direct about attendance?
stacey 01/04/2012 at 4:51 pm
i am currently living with a new partner we have got four children at home all under the age of 16 ,his ex wife has took him to the csa for his other two children he had together and now takes one hundred and seventy four pounds out of his wages and with all the bills and debt he has been left with after leaving her we are finding it hard to barely live ourselfs,is their anything we can do
Alie 23/03/2012 at 3:22 pm
Hi, My stepson is 17 yrs old. My Husband and his ex wife made an agreement between themselves when divorced on child maintenance. My stepson is done with school and has been going to a 12 hr a week college course for motor sport engineering at Brooklands college. He does not want to work, he is lazy. My husbands x wife is telling him he still has to pay support and she demands it every single month. Payments have not gone down at all, even though they were suppose to. When does visitation stop as well? seems like we can't go anywhere or do anything because on my Husbands day off, we have to stay home because his 17 yr old has visitation 3 times a day on on that particullar day my Husband is off. Does my Husband still have to keep paying maintenance for his 17 yr old? and if not, what can we do to prove to his mom that his Father is no longer responsible and Liable. Thank you So much!
Sincerely, Alie
angie 19/03/2012 at 9:15 pm
I have 2 questions on behalf of my son. He was thrown out of his flat when his daughter was a baby, she allows him contact once a week but only when it suits her. he has always been told by csa that he doesnt have to pay maintenance as his name is not on the birth certificate, is this correct. although he pays her money and buys his daughter things. Also could you tell me what his rights are if he finds out that his daughters mum has set up a facebook account for his daughter saying she is 16yrs old when she is only 10yrs old? thank you for your help.
lewysmummy 11/03/2012 at 8:12 pm
hi,i was with my EX for 5 years he has a child from previous who he currently pays child maintence for at £32 a week even though he barely has enough for food in his cupboards..we now have a child of our own together and have seperated we are still good friends however but i have been advised to get child support involved if i get involved will his payments be lowered for his first child? in other words if i get involved will he have to pay alot more or wont it be so much to pay coz he has to pay for 2 children?please help!!
NS 23/02/2012 at 8:00 am
I am a single patent and my daughter is 16 and about to leave studying A levels in school to start a college course in September. Will her dad still be liable for maintenance payments untill she is 18?
smudge 19/02/2012 at 11:34 am
My son is 19 in May and has been in college full time since leaving school at 16. He will not finish the National Diploma required for university entry until June 2013 when he will be 20. His father says he is stopping maintences payments the day after his 19th birthday regardless of our son still being in full time education. Is there anything either I or my son can do because without the continued financial support my son may have to leave college and his plans of university.
cheeps 15/02/2012 at 8:05 pm
I went through a divorce and final financial settlement when my daughter was10 years old in 2003.I have paid csa maintenance since then and assumed this was to finish when she reached 16. Since she left school she has done a part tme course in hairdressing, and left her mothers home in march 30 2011 when she was 18.Am I still liable for payments for my daughter since she was 16?
parent2 07/01/2012 at 10:31 am
hi please advise whether you can stop paying child maintenance once a child leaves school and is not working or studying any form of further education. also, if the child has special needs and is in receipt of dla does this mean you must continue paying maintenance until they are older or is the law the same regardless in that you can stop paying once they reach 16 and are not working/studying ? thanks
JM 03/01/2012 at 2:19 pm
My step daughter is 18 and lives with her mother and is enrolled in a 2 year BTEC course at a local college. My partner pays maintainance for her.

Firstly, does he have to pay maintainacne as her studies are not A levels although the course is designed for those who wish to apply for university?

Secondly, she has gained permission from her tutors not to actually attend college but study from home. This is beacuse of her having difficulties with some of her class members. The problem that we have with this is that she now has a part time job and is almost working full time hours. Coupled with not attending college she now has a large disposable income and should we feel contribute towards her own maintainance.

Thirdly, my other step daughter who is sixteen and still in education will be going to college to study hairdressing in Sept. As this is not a course designed for her to go to university will my partner still have to pay towards her maintainance?

This sounds like we dont wish to pay any monies at all, this is not the case. The childrens mother gets a total of £400 per month and we still provide the children with many of the essentail items they need. We just want this to be fairer.
LawAndParents Editor 06/07/2015 at 11:11 am
@S. This is usually on the 31st August.
s. 02/12/2011 at 3:20 pm
I have a 15 year old son who is verbally abusive daily he is also violent towards my self( his mum) and his younger brother. He as spit in my face, thrown things at me which have hit me. He damages things in the house, punches holes in the walls and numerous other things. He keeps missing school refusing to get up he is 6 foot 7 ins tall and weighs about 18 stone i cannot physically get him out of bed. On a couple of occaisions i have phoned the police and he was taken to the police station we now have a social worker and both my children are on the child protection list the 15 yr old from himself and the younger 12yrs old from him. Whenever i phone the police it is always me that as to find somewhere for him to stay for a couple of days until he as cooled down my options for this is dwindling. I find myself not wanting him in my house and myself and my 12 yr old are always on edge not knowing how he will be from day to day. There Father does not want to help saying his new partner does not want him at their house at all in the past 3months he as only seen them once for 6 hours and he did not even feed them in that time so when they came back he 15yr old started kicking off at me. What are my rights. The social worker does not even bother to come round anymore he just shouts and swears at her anyway. He will not accept any responsibilty for his behavior at home or at school which he as been excluded several times the next one is expulsion.the social worker got us a family liason person and he would not speak to them he as been offered other people to talk with as mentors etc but he wont liase with any one. I dont know what to do or where to go for help. I feel like just running away with my younger son. HELP
Yorkie 22/11/2011 at 1:11 pm
I was made redundant in aug 2010. I restarted work in march of this year 2011 the csa say that I have got to repay back payments to sept 2010 which they say add up £2384.30 is this correct do I have to make back payments
stick25078798 07/10/2011 at 11:16 pm
Any help would be grately appreciated,were very stuck. We live in Northern ireland and my husbands daughter is back in the uk,were limited on seeing her due to expense in travelling. She is 18 in full time educationd,doing alevel 3 course and we have just found out she has moved in with her boyfriends parents,yet were still paying monthly through aprivate agreement.I've spoken to the csa,child benefit and citizens advice and no one can help us.If we challenge the mother,with no way of getting proof she is not living there,then she will go back to the csa and we will pay even more money...if we leave it we have to pay her for achild not living there.This is all so unfair and no one can or will help us.Where do we stand,we feeling like were over abarrel here. :(
em 02/10/2011 at 3:36 pm
the child in question is now 20 the x got the csa involved when he was 12 i under stand we must pay for him do the base the payments on what we where earning for that time not what we are earning now?
Also when leaving signed the house over to her for my son to live she sold the house before he finished school making a massive profit, she has had money in my eyes to pay for my son hoildays five times a year. Does this matter?
LawAndParents 06/09/2011 at 9:52 am
Hi Ranna. If he is the baby's father and is on the birth certificate he has father's rights and responsibilities - and the right to be involved in all major decisions in his child's life. Payment is a separate issue and you will need to contact the CSA about that.
ranna 05/09/2011 at 6:38 pm
i am a single parent with a baby of 8 weeks old. The father is unemployed and seeking contct which i have always allowed. He has seen his son 5 times in 8 weeks and has never paid a penny towards his care. What rights does he have to access if any?
Oompalumpa 07/07/2011 at 2:55 pm
My 17 yr old son has left home of his own accord and I now find that he is living with my estranged daughter who has ms. She is claiming DLA and her husband works full time. She has put in a claim for maintenance for my son. My husband and I have 2 fully dependant children and only work 28 hrs a week each. My son sys he is intending to return to college in september but was not attending when he should have prior to leaving home. My daughters husband is a declared bankrupt. Do I have to pay for my son? and why?
steph 11/06/2011 at 6:20 pm
can i ask for proof that my sixteen year old son is going to college for 21 hrs a week when continuing to pay maintence for him now he as left school
baileygirl 17/04/2011 at 9:55 am
My partner's son is 15, he will be 16 in July, has been sent to a young offenders for 4years, when can he stop paying maintenance through the csa
RB 10/04/2011 at 3:36 pm
Question: I have a child that is 18yrs old and has moved out of his mothers house yet the mother still gets the child suport. Do I still have to pay her child suport if he doesn't live their? Also I owe a small amount of back child suport(was larger have it almost paid off) who gets that back child suport? The mother or my child? And when he graduates at 19yrs old this summer do I have to pay the back child suport? Also, his mother remarried and her husband was killed. Our child also gets his SSI based on the fact he was the sole provider of the child which isn't true I pay my chid suport and the back payments every month and have done so for years now. Is that illeagle? For her to get SSI for my child off another man?

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