FAQs About Divorce – How much child support will I have to pay?
In this last mini blog in the series of FAQs About Divorce Rebecca Silcock takes a closer look at child support and how it’s calculated. Child support is the frequent, usually monthly, payment from the non-resident parent to the resident parent, to help with the cost of supporting and bringing up the children. Child support is calculated using a formula.
In essence, how much child support you will have to pay depends on three factors;
- How much is your income from all sources
- How often you have your children to stay overnight
- How many children live with you
The financial circumstances of your former spouse or partner are not relevant, nor is it relevant whether they are living with someone else or remarry.
There are on-line calculators that you can use to calculate maintenance. Also you need to be aware that if your circumstances change it can be varied up or down. If you cannot reach an agreement with your former spouse or partner then either of you can make an application to the child maintenance service who will calculate it for you.
Please also bear in mind that if you earn over a certain amount, currently £156,000 per annum then an additional payment can be considered by the court as a top up.
If you are in any doubt about how much you should pay or would like more information, please contact us on 01225 75000 to arrange a fixed-fee initial consultation.