How Will I Be Able To Afford To Raise My Child Now That I've Split From My Partner?

The breakdown of a relationship can be a difficult financial adjustment in itself but when there are children involved, this can make the position all the more worrying and uncertain.

The Child Maintenance Service is the first port of call for assessing and enforcing child maintenance payments against your ex-partner (if the child is living with you). You can use the following link to work out what your ex-partner should be paying you here https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

In addition to child maintenance in some circumstances it can also be appropriate to make additional financial claims for the benefit of any children of the relationship. This can be done by making a claim under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

What is Schedule 1?

Schedule 1 to the Children Act 1989 was introduced with the intention of making limited financial provision for the minor children of unmarried parents. Schedule 1 allows parents and children of cohabiting relationships that have broken down to make certain limited financial claims.

I already receive child maintenance payments from my ex - why would I make a Schedule 1 claim?

Those of you who already receive maintenance from your ex-partner through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) may be asking this question. Whilst it is the case that the CMS is the primary and first port of call for parents seeking financial support for their children, the claims that can be made under Schedule 1 are more wide-reaching.

If an application under Schedule 1 is made the court can make orders for the benefit of a child as follows:

- to cover educational expenses

- to cover costs attributable to a disability

- where there is a child maintenance calculation, if the non-resident parent's income is in excess of £156,000 gross per year then the court can order top up child maintenance payments

- a lump sum payment for the child; and- a transfer and settlement of property for the benefit of the child

The CMS cannot provide this additional financial provision.

So...