I recently wrote an article in relation to child arrangements during self-isolation period – but how does this affect child maintenance?
Guidance has been provided whereby the Cabinet Office stated that children under 18 can travel between their separated parents’ homes during the self-isolation period. However, and in the event that contact cannot take place for whatever reason, including one parent becoming unwell or suspected of having contracted COVID-19 – but how is child maintenance affected, if at all?
Currently, the way that the Child Maintenance Service calculates your child maintenance include, for example:
What your total taxable income is;
How many children you will be paying child maintenance for; and
How often the child(ren) stay overnight with you.
There are other issues that the Child Maintenance Service will take into account – the above is only an example.
The Child Maintenance Service will base the calculation on your last P60.
However, what if you have been furloughed or you are no longer receiving any income during the Covid-19 outbreak?
After speaking with the Child Maintenance Service, they have advised that, if you are furloughed and there is, therefore, a sudden change in your income, you are able to contact the Child Maintenance Service and advise them of this change of income. Child Maintenance Service advised that they will then change your monthly payment to reflect this.
Child Maintenance Service advised that you will need to keep them appraised on a “regular basis” (whatever this shall mean, and no doubt they will inform you), so that they are kept up to date on your income position.
As stated within my article, “Is Spousal Maintenance Affected By Covid-19?”, any change of maintenance, whether spousal or child, will cause a strain on each and every person who does go through a reduction in income, and this will have an influence and impact on those receiving the maintenance.
If you are facing these difficulties or have concerns that you may be facing these difficulties in the near future and wish to plan ahead, then please do not hesitate to contact me on 0207 183 4595 to discuss your options.
The information provided in this article is not intended to constitute legal advice and you should take full and comprehensive legal advice on your individual circumstances by a fully qualified Solicitor before you embark on any course of action.
0207 183 4595