Before you make a private agreement with the other
parent, read our Getting started guide [PDF 473KB]
to find out more about making child maintenance
arrangements. Below are the steps you should consider when setting up a private agreement.
Step 1) Work out a figure
You don't have to follow a strict formula. It's about talking with the other parent about whatever suits both of your circumstances best. Child maintenance is usually paid based on the income of the parent without the main day-to-day care of the child. This means the payments should be affordable and realistic.
You can use our child maintenance calculator to get an indication of the amount you might pay or receive if you chose a child maintenance arrangement using the Child Support Agency (CSA). You could use this figure as a starting point for your discussion about how much child maintenance to agree on.
In addition to the regular financial payments, you and the other parent can also choose to make payments 'in kind'. This is where the parent without the main day-to-day care pays for things such as home bills, car maintenance or a holiday.
Step 2) Agree when to make payments
Child maintenance payments can be made weekly, fortnightly or once a month - whatever suits both of you best.
Step 3) Agree how to make payments
A standing order is the best way of making sure child maintenance payments are made in full, on time and with a written record. If you agree to use cheques or cash, keep a written record of payments.
Step 4) Write down your agreement
Signing your names to a written agreement is a strong sign of your personal
commitment. Download our private agreement form [PDF 298KB]
to help you write down your agreement.
Just remember that a private agreement isn't legally binding.
Step 5) Set a date to review your agreement
You may want to agree a date to talk about your agreement again. If your circumstances change, it may affect your child maintenance arrangement.
What information should I have ready?
It may be useful to have the following information ready for your discussion with the other parent:
- The income (after tax and National Insurance) of the parent without the main day-to-day care of the child
- Your child's living costs, e.g. school costs, clothing and food
- The living costs of the parent without the main day-to-day care, e.g. mortgage/rent, travel and bills
- When you'd like child maintenance payments to be made.
You can read more about private agreements and child maintenance in our FAQs.
Or read our guide to talking about child maintenance with the other parent.