Could someone in the know, tell me how much I would have to pay for maintenance on my three children?

Question

I have 3 kids (18 1/2, 16 and 13). The eldest is at university. I earn more than £40k and my wife earns £10k (part time). I couldn't afford to pay the mortgage and have somewhere to stay myself. Serious answers only, thanks.

Answer 1

You wouldn't have to pay anything for your eldest at all. He wouldn't be taken into consideration. You only have to pay maintenance to children up to age of 16, but if they continue into Higher Education up to the age of 18. You don't pay for any child past the age of 18 as they are legally no longer considered a child. An 18 year old can fund their own education by working part-time and using government grants.

Your 16 year old will follow the same rules as above. If your 16 year old is going into higher education you will have to pay for them until they are 18 years old. If not you won't have to pay for them at all.

Your 13 year old, you will have to pay for.

Your maintenance payments will be worked out under the new scheme which means your wife's salary will not be taken into account. You could leave your wife and the week after she could win the lottery but you would still have to pay her maintenance. Crap but that's how it is.

They will work it out using your salary as a base. The only payments they will take into account are your mortgage (of the house you purchase on your own) or rent, and council tax. As far as I am aware they don't take anymore than that. As you are a high earner they will take quite a hefty sum I would imagine (sorry). My partner earns between £25-30k pa. He has one son in a previous relationship aged 6. We have access to him all weekend every weekend. When he was younger my husband paid £100pw. That has gradually been reduced to £45pw. My husband and I have a mortgage for £650pcm and council tax of £90pcm.

They reduce payments depending on how much access you have, but they only work this out as nights sleeping at your property. You could take your children for days out but that won't count if they don't sleep at your house at night.

It is a very prejudiced system that does more harm than good. If you can come to an arrangement with your wife it would be much better.

I wish you all the luck in the world sorting this out xx

Answer 2

Depends on if the judge sets it or if you and your wife can make a deal. In the U.S. you'd have to pay for the child at University until he finishes an undergraduate degree or leaves school. Otherwise it's 18.

It's very rare here for a judge to let a deal be made between the spouses. But, I did have a friend do it. The wife said the judge was asking too much of the husband and that she could support the child on half of the amount. The judge agreed.

In some states, it's cut and dry. You pay a set percentage regardless. In Florida it's 19% per child. That would be 57% of your total income going to your wife.

Answer 3

The CSA formula is 20% of your net income for three children including your 18 year old as s/he is still in education. This continues until the September after s/he has turned 19.

When your eldest is over 19 you will have to pay 15% of net income, & 10% when you are liable for only your youngest

Answer 4

depends what the judge thinks you need to live on and what she needs for the children when there are more then one child its more expensive because the cost of housing with multiple bedrooms are in higher demand... so all depends on where you live how much she makes how much you make the age of children and the housing market...

Answer 5

It depends on what state or providence you live in. But I would say around 700$ a month

Answer 6

about 28k pound as cos of living is quite high now.