Child Maintenance Reforms
Family Law
Up to 50,000 children may be newly eligible for maintenance payments as reforms of the child maintenance system starts to affect existing cases.
On 11 August 2014 a new child maintenance system came into effect designed to encourage parents to cooperate with one another in the payment of child maintenance.
The new system is part of the reforms which will see the Child Support Agency wound down over the next three years and replaced by the Child Maintenance Service in order to reduce the high running costs characterised with the old system.
The Child Support Agency have already started taking on new cases as part of the reforms and an advertising campaign has been launched by the Department of work and Pensions to raise awareness of the three year process of closing all existing Child Support Agency cases.
The next phase of changes will see the Child Support agency begin the process of closing its 800,000 strong caseload and see single and separated parents who have previously received no maintenance from former partners, receive payments for the first time.
As part of the reforms parents will be encouraged to make their own arrangements in the payment of child maintenance, or if this is not achievable, take advantage of the new Child Maintenance Service (CMS) who will collect and pay child maintenance.
Family Law Solicitors Eastbourne, Hailsham and Polegate
If you require further advice in relation to children and maintenance matters please contact our Family Department for a free 30 minute appointment to discuss your circumstances and receive preliminary advice from one of our experienced Family Law Solicitors.
Eastbourne: 01323 727321
Hailsham: 01323 841481
Polegate: 01323 487051
