Assessment fee for a child maintenance calculation

Assessment fee for a child maintenance calculation to be abolished

When separated parents cannot agree how much financial support should be paid from one to the other for the benefit of the children, they can use an online calculator on the GOV.UK website or go to the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and ask for a formal assessment to be carried out. Since the creation of the CMS in 2012 formal assessments have carried an application fee of £20.

The fee is payable even if a subsequent maintenance calculation is not made. The current legislation allows the application fee to be waived if the applicant has been a victim of domestic violence or abuse, or where they are aged under 19. There are no other scenarios where the fee may be waived, and reimbursement is only possible when any relevant qualifying child dies after an application has been made, and before a maintenance assessment is in place.

Now the Child Support (Management of Payments and Arrears and Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024 No. 87) seeks to change this and abolish the £20 application fee. It is hoped that abolishing the application fee will remove a barrier to accessing the CMS, and ensure that those wishing to use the Service are not excluded from the CMS due to financial constraints.

The new Regulation has been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 26 February 2024.

If you are a separated parent and are struggling to agree the arrangements for your child or children with your ex-partner, our team of experienced family law solicitors can help. Contact us today to find out more about our initial consultation process.

Please contact our specialist family lawyers at Kerseys Solicitors in Ipswich at [email protected] or telephone 01473 213311, Kerseys Solicitors in Felixstowe at [email protected]  on 01394 834557 or Kerseys Solicitors in Colchester at [email protected] on 01206 584584.

Kerseys Solicitors are just a click away visit our website and click “Call Me Back” and a member of our family law team will be happy to contact you at a time that is convenient to you.