Child maintenance
Children can be at risk of financial hardship when a couple separate, because it often costs more for parents to
live apart. So a parent who does not live with their child still has to share financial responsibility for them.
This means paying child maintenance -
regular, reliable financial support that helps towards the child’s everyday living costs. Making maintenance
arrangements can take time – so arranging child maintenance should be a priority.
How to arrange child maintenance
There are three ways you can arrange to pay or receive child maintenance:
- through a family-based arrangement
- through the CSA, or
- through a court order.
Find out more about your child maintenance options.
Making a will
A will sets out who will get your money, property and possessions after your death. You can use it to decide how
your assets are shared and to ensure your child is provided for in case you die.
If you die without a will, your money and possessions will be given out according to the law, and your money may not
go where you want. If you have separated from the other parent, you might want to make a will or update one you
have already made.
You may also want to think about appointing a guardian for your child in the will. This is someone who can
take responsibility for your child if there is no-one else with parental responsibility if you die. This is very
important if you are the only person with parental responsibility for your child.
Planning everyday things
You may also want to agree on day-to-day things like:
- health – who will take the child for routine check-ups, who needs to be consulted
about health treatments and what would happen if one of you were too ill to care for your child
- religion or culture – what religion the child will be brought up in and what special days
or events you may celebrate
- education – choosing a school or nursery for your child, arrangements to drop them off
or collect them from school and making sure you can both be involved in your child’s progress and school
events
- holidays – how you will share care of your child to cover the school holidays, or when
you can take your child out of the country.
