Child Support
Child support is the term that refers to the amount of money one parent may need to pay the other parent after separation to ensure that their children are adequately looked after financially in both homes.
Child support is overseen by the Department of Human Services. The amount that is required to be paid by one parent to the other depends on a number of factors, but primarily the level of care (number of nights) that each parent is providing to the children and the income of each parent. There is a range of formulas that apply in various situations which calculate the amount payable and provide an Administrative Assessment.
Parents can agree to vary an Administrative Assessment and this variation can be formalised by either a Limited Child Support Agreement or a Binding Child Support Agreement. This may be of particular importance where there are private school fees involved, as the Administrative Assessment will not take these fees into account.
Our team of family lawyers can discuss the option of entering into either a Limited Child Support Agreement or a Binding Child Support Agreement with you and explain how they work.
Child support ensures that children are adequately looked after financially in both homes.