Child Support

Child support is financial support provided by one parent to another for the benefit of their children. It is ordinarily money paid on a periodic basis but may also be provided in other forms.

In most cases, support for children under the age of 18 is determined by way of an administrative assessment undertaken by Child Support, Services Australia (formerly the Child Support Agency).

Child support obligations are ordinarily calculated administratively, using a legislative formula that takes into account each parent’s income, a child’s age, the time a child spends with each parent, and other relevant dependent children.

Non-parent carers (including legal guardians, grandparents or other family members) may also be eligible to seek child support from one or both of a child’s parents.

In certain special circumstances, the assessed rate of child support payable can be varied by application to Child Support and sometimes by a court. Examples include where parents have agreed to their children being educated privately, if a child has special medical needs or in the case of high childcare costs or contact costs, amongst others.

Parents can also enter into limited or binding child support agreements. Such agreements offer a more flexible way of arranging child support and may include changes to the formula assessment, provisions for lump sum payments or the payment or sharing of specific expenses such as educational and medical costs. Legal advice is required for binding child support agreements and recommended for limited child support agreements.

Child Support is responsible for administering Australia’s child support scheme. Decisions of Child Support can be reviewed internally by application to Child Support, externally by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and, in limited circumstances, by the courts.

Taussig Cherrie Fildes can assist you to put in place appropriate arrangements for the payment and collection of child support. We are able to help you apply to Child Support and, if you believe an incorrect assessment has been made, with the preparation of applications, objections and submissions to Child Support, the AAT or the court including applications for a change of assessment or departure orders.

Taussig Cherrie Fildes also has extensive experience advising on, negotiating and drafting child support agreements. We can also assist in respect of arrears and enforcement and in relation to overseas child support and child maintenance obligations.

Our lawyers can also assist with maintenance for adult children (including children with a disability and children undertaking tertiary study) and maintenance payable by step-parents, which obligations are not determined by Child Support but by the courts.

Testimonials

I would like to say a huge thank you for the magic that was done yesterday. I did not dare to hope that we would reach any form of agreement with the other side, let alone one that I am actually very comfortable with. So thank you again.

Testimonial 26

I wanted to thank you all for your support over the year, I am very grateful and happy with the outcome for the boys. This means so much to me and I know how much the boys would appreciate everything we have done for them. I feel so much better after a traumatic and stressful year, I am finally at peace with everything and have no regrets.

Testimonial 25

I'm deeply grateful for the calm and professional manner with which you have guided me.

Testimonial 24

Thank you so much for your "above and beyond" attention to this matter. I am very grateful to all of you for help to get this over the line.

Testimonial 23

You have a well-deserved reputation as being one of the leaders in the profession in the area you work in and I know that I was not an easy client to work for; but your skill and experience shone through when I was my most demanding. I will recommend you, without hesitation or reservation, to any friends and colleagues of mine who need advice in relation to Family Law matters.

Testimonial 22

You are amazing at what you do, your work ethic is exceptional and your unmatched commitment to supporting your clients is genuine. I can't thank you all enough, you have changed our life and I will never forget what you have done for us.

Testimonial 21

I just wanted to thank you all for helping me and the boys through this time and getting an amazing outcome for our family. You have been an incredible support and I couldn't have got through this without your help and guidance.

Testimonial 20

Thank you for all your work on this matter. It was an absolute comfort to have such great and competent people in my corner, and was very much appreciated.

Testimonial 19

Thank you so much for helping me through this very tough time, and hopefully aiding towards a new beginning of my life! I feel so grateful for your passion, dedication, professionalism and know that you will endeavour to have my best interests at all times.

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