The new child maintenance rules come into force today (30 June 2014).
What does this mean for you?
If you make a new application, from today, it will cost you £20.
You do not have to pay the fee if you:
- are a victim of domestic violence and have reported this to an appropriate person or organisation, including a solicitor
- are residents of Northern Ireland or
- are aged under 19
From 11 August 2014 collection charges will be charged to both parents.
The charges will be:
- 4% deducted from the payments received by the parent with care
- 20% added on to the maintenance liability for the non-resident parent.
Everyone currently using the Child Maintenance Service will receive a letter advising of this change.
What if I do not want to pay?
The CMS are giving parents the option of their Direct Pay system which is free.
What if I have arrears?
Non-resident parents with arrears (but no enforcement action as yet) will have until 5 August 2014 to clear the arrears.
For more information please see:http://www.cmoptions.org/stakeholdertoolkit/fees-charges.asp
What else can I do?
You could reach an agreement between yourselves. Mediation may be the best way to do this. It could also work out much cheaper to attend mediation to reach an agreement than to pay the new fees.
Contact us today to see whether mediation is suitable for you. Call 0800 0351 99