Child maintenance and support payments are a form of security for parents who remain the custodial parent upon the breakdown of a relationship. These payments are made by the non-resident parent, or the parent with whom the child does not regularly reside.
Support of this sort is payable until a child meets the age of majority (which ranges depending on the child’s educational needs, but is generally between ages 16–19). The amount of child support paid by the non-resident parent depends on many factors.
When calculating the amount payable, the following circumstances are scrutinized in each case:
Once you know the answers to these questions, if you would like to figure out what you might owe in child support or to decide what you are entitled to, click here. Although this will give you a good rough estimate as to what the payments may be, a family solicitor or legal professional will often help be able to put you in a more favourable situation. In addition to the listed circumstances, legal professionals will consider many other individual circumstances when drawing up support agreements.
The non-resident parent will have to pay the calculated and agreed upon amount to the resident parent. However, where the custodial parent absconds, or makes it impossible for the non-resident parent to visit with the child(ren), support payments can be suspended.
Notwithstanding situations where payment has been suspended, non-payment by the supporting parent is a serious offence. If the parent making child support payments defaults; his wages can be garnished, and assets can be frozen and sold to enforce payment. Furthermore, non-payment can be punished by a prison sentence.
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