The CSA doesn't charge for its services and it aims to set up a child maintenance arrangement within 12 weeks of you applying. Here are some other things you'll need to think about before deciding if a child maintenance arrangement using the CSA is the best option for you.
Do you want to avoid contact with the other parent?
- With an arrangement using the CSA, you don't have to be in contact with the other parent, or even know where they live.
- Even if the parent without the main day-to-day care won't accept responsibility for a child, the CSA can try to trace them and put in place a child maintenance arrangement.
Could you work together and trust each other?
- If the parent without the main day-to-day care isn't willing to co-operate or share their income, the CSA can get details from their employer or the Government.
- Just remember that the more legal things become between you and the other parent, the more stressful it may be on your relationship with them.
- If you and the other parent can find a way to work together without involving anyone else, it may be easier on your child and your relationship with the other parent.
Might you need help keeping your arrangement going?
- If you have failed to make a family-based arrangement work before, an arrangement using the CSA may be a more reliable option for you.
- An arrangement using the CSA is legally binding. The CSA has enforcement powers which can ensure the parent without the main day-to-day care meets their financial responsibilities.
- If a payment was missed, the CSA would contact the parent without the main day-to-day care and tell them to bring the child maintenance payments up to date.
Do you want to have control over your arrangement?
- Once you ask the CSA to make a child maintenance arrangement, you have to follow their decision. For example, how much child maintenance should be paid and when.
- But if you feel your child maintenance arrangement through the CSA isn't working, we can always support you in making a family-based arrangement.
Might your circumstances change in the future?
- You don't have to discuss anything with the other parent. But if you feel able to do so, it's a good idea to keep dialogue going about things that may affect your arrangement.
- You do have to inform the CSA if your circumstances change. Changes
that could influence child maintenance include:
- the income of the parent without the main day-to-day care
- how many children you or the other parent have or support
- how many nights a week the child spends with each of you
- where the parent without the main day-to-day care of the child lives.
If you think a child maintenance arrangement through the CSA may be the best option for you, read about how to put in place an arrangement using the CSA.
You can also read more about child maintenance and using the CSA in our FAQs.
