Do I Have To Pay For My Children If I Don't See Them?

Summary

It is a common misconception that if a parent doesn't have contact with their children, they don't have to pay child maintenance. However, child maintenance and visitation rights are treated separately under UK law. This means that even if you don't see your children, you are still legally obligated to provide financial support. This article will provide a comprehensive guide addressing the legal obligations and considerations surrounding child maintenance payments for non-resident parents who do not have contact with their children. Not seeing your child does not exempt you from paying child maintenance. Your responsibility to pay child maintenance is based on your financial ability and the child's needs, not whether you see or spend time with your child. This means you have to pay child maintenance even if you have no contact with your child. The amount of child maintenance you need to pay is based on your income. The Child Maintenance Service calculates this amount by considering factors like your gross income, the number of children you have, and how much time the children spend with you. You can use the CMS calculator to get an estimate of your payment obligations. There are.

Key information

• •The paying parent is a full-time student or is incarcerated and has no income;
• •The child turns 16, or 20 if they are in full-time education;
• •If the child becomes self-sufficient, joins the armed forces, or gets married;
• •If both parents share equal care of the child.
• •Significant costs associated with maintaining contact with the child;
• •If the child has special needs or disabilities;
• •If the paying parent has a very high income.
• •Order the paying parent's employer to deduct child maintenance directly from their wages;
• •Instruct the paying parent's bank or building society to make regular deductions from their account to cover maintenance payments;
• •Order a one-time deduction from the paying parent bank account to cover arrears;
• •Apply for a liability order through the courts, which allows them to take more severe actions such as selling property, forcing the sale of assets, or even disqualifying the parent from driving.
• •It is a common misconception that if a parent doesn't have contact with their children, they don't have to pay child maintenance.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [Do I Have To Pay For My Children If I Don't See Them?](https://lawhive.co.uk/knowledge-hub/family/do-i-have-to-pay-for-my-children-if-i-dont-see-them)

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