Blog
Category: Child Support
How to challenge a child support assessment in Australia
Many parents want to know if they can challenge a child support assessment in Australia, especially when circumstances have changed or when the assessment does not reflect the real cost of raising their child. You have options to challenge assessments.
Read more
What happens to child support if my former partner starts a new family?
Australia’s child support system can be daunting and complex. It becomes more complex when life circumstances change. A common question many parents ask is: “What happens if my ex has more children after we separate?”
Read more
When child protection laws and family law intersect
In Australia, both family law and child protection laws aim to keep children safe from harm and support their wellbeing. However, they are handled by different courts, follow different procedures, and involve different agencies. When these two areas overlap, it can often create confusion for parents and carers.
Read more
When can I stop paying child support in Australia?
Child support, if using the Child Support Agency, is a formula assessed on each parent’s taxable income. With the variations on what is a “taxable income” declared to the Child Support Agency, there are times when parents wonder if they can stop paying child support.
Read more
Understanding litigation guardians (or case guardians) in family law
Sometimes, people involved in a family law matter may be unable to represent themselves due to age, incapacity or disability. In these circumstances, a litigation guardian (or often referred to as a case guardian) may be appointed.
Read more
Negotiating the costs of extra-curricular activities after separation
A common area of confusion for separated parents is whether child support covers the costs of extra-curricular activities such as sports, music lessons, school camps, or dance classes and, if not, what other options there are for payment of these activities.
Read more
What happens if my ex-partner declares bankruptcy after separation?
It is crucial that you understand how bankruptcy can impact your rights, finances, property settlement and even parenting arrangements. This article will explain what may happen if your ex-partner declares bankruptcy after separation and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
Read more
Can I secretly record my ex for family law proceedings?
If your communications with the other side start to get messy or out of control, sometimes there is panic and people can be tempted to covertly and secretly record conversations. It’s important to know that there are legal limitations as to whether those recordings can or will be considered in Court and whether they were legally taken at all.
Read more
Paternity tests to prove parentage in family law matters
A DNA paternity test can be performed where there is a dispute about who the child’s parents are. Most commonly, disputes can arise about who the father is in the context of child support. However, it is also common to see an application for DNA paternity testing in family law proceedings where a party is seeking to spend time with a child.
Read more
What is adult child maintenance?
The Family Law Act deals with what is referred to as “adult child maintenance” or “child maintenance”. The purpose of this Division is to ensure a proper level of financial support of children by their parents, having regard to their respective means.
Read more
Are my future needs considered in family law property settlement?
When a marriage or relationship breaks down, a question that often comes to mind is, “They make so much more money than me, I am sick, I am keeping the care of the children – will I be compensated for our different future needs?”
Read more
Difference between child support and spousal maintenance
Following separation, one of the first issues people turn their minds to is what if any, financial support they may be entitled to from their former partner. Child support and spousal maintenance can provide financial support to a spouse who may not have sufficient income to support themselves and their children after separation.
Read more