In Australia, the law requires each parent to financially assist in raising children, even if the parents are no longer together.
The most common form of the payment of such support in circumstances of separation is through the Child Support Agency.
The Agency will gather information from both parents about their income, expenses, and the number of nights that the children spend in each parent’s care, and then apply that information in their formula to calculate the payment contributions for each parent.
The Agency then issues an assessment notice for the amount of child support the paying parent must make.
In some circumstances however, the assessed amount payable may be deemed unfair by the parent/s, when taking in to account the needs of your child and the financial circumstances of both parents.
If this is the case, parents may wish to negotiate privately and agree on their respective contributions to the children’s expenses.
Culshaw Miller Lawyers help navigate these negotiations for you, as well as prepare any relevant legal documents to ensure any such agreement reached is binding and enforceable.
Ultimately, it is essential any child support payment, whether assessed through the Agency, ordered by the Court or reached by agreement, is made on time.
There are enforcement options available in the event of any default in these payments, and in some cases, a default can carry significant consequences.
If you have any questions regarding child support matters, please contact our lawyers by calling us on 08 9488 1300 or emailing us via info@culshawmiller.com.au.
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