Child maintenance provides financial support towards the everyday costs of raising a child following separation. It can cover expenses such as food, clothing and housing, helping ensure that both parents continue to contribute towards their child’s needs. As children grow older, parents may be uncertain about when these payments should end and whether further support is required.
Understanding when child maintenance stops can help both parents plan ahead and ensure that appropriate financial arrangements remain in place. The position will depend on factors such as the child’s age, education and how the maintenance arrangement was originally made.
When Does Child Maintenance Usually Stop?
Child maintenance arranged through the Child Maintenance Service will usually continue until a child reaches 16. However, payments can continue until the age of 20 if the child remains in approved education or training.
Whether maintenance continues will therefore depend on the child’s age and circumstances. Changes to their education or training can affect when payments are due to end.
Parents should not assume that maintenance automatically stops on a child’s 16th or 18th birthday. Where the Child Maintenance Service is involved, it is important to ensure that the child’s circumstances have been properly taken into account before payments come to an end.
What Counts as Approved Education or Training?
Approved education generally means full-time, non-advanced education. This can include studying for qualifications such as A levels or equivalent courses. Certain approved training programmes may also qualify.
Whether a particular course or training programme falls within the relevant rules will depend on its nature and the child’s circumstances. If there is uncertainty, it may be necessary to check whether the education or training meets the requirements for child maintenance to continue.
University education is treated differently, meaning Child Maintenance Service payments will not normally continue simply because a child progresses to university. Other forms of financial support may need to be considered in these circumstances.
Can Child Maintenance Stop Earlier?
There are circumstances where child maintenance may end before the usual age. This can happen if the child leaves approved education or training, begins receiving certain benefits in their own right or if there is a significant change in their living arrangements.
Maintenance may also need to be reviewed if the child begins living primarily with the parent who was previously making payments. Changes in the amount of time a child spends with each parent can also affect the amount payable in some circumstances.
Relevant changes in circumstances should be reported to the appropriate authority so that the maintenance calculation and ongoing liability can be reviewed where necessary. This can help ensure that the maintenance calculation continues to reflect the child’s circumstances.
What Happens if a Child Goes to University?
Child Maintenance Service payments will usually end before or when a child begins university because university courses are classed as advanced education. However, this does not necessarily mean that all parental financial support must end.
Parents may agree to continue contributing towards accommodation, living expenses, travel or other university costs. The arrangements will often depend on the child’s needs and the financial circumstances of each parent.
In some circumstances, an application to the court for financial provision may also be possible. Obtaining advice can help clarify what options are available where there is disagreement about financial support during higher education.
What About Court Ordered Maintenance?
Where child maintenance is provided under a court order rather than through the Child Maintenance Service, different terms may apply. The order should specify how long payments are required and the circumstances in which they may end or be extended.
For example, an order may provide for payments to continue while a child remains in education or until a particular age or event occurs. The precise wording of the order will therefore be important when determining whether maintenance should continue.
It is important to check the terms of the order before stopping payments, as failing to comply with an existing court order could result in enforcement action.
Can Parents Agree to Continue Child Maintenance?
Parents can make their own arrangements for financial support and may agree that payments should continue beyond the point at which Child Maintenance Service liability would ordinarily end.
This may be particularly relevant where a child remains financially dependent while studying, undertaking training or preparing to become financially independent. Parents may agree how regular payments and particular expenses will be shared based on their circumstances.
Where an agreement has been formalised through a court order, legal advice should be obtained before changing or ending payments to ensure that the terms of the order are followed correctly.
Key Considerations
The point at which child maintenance ends depends on the child’s age, education and individual circumstances as well as how the maintenance arrangement was made. A change in education, living arrangements or other circumstances may affect whether payments should continue.
Checking the terms of any existing agreement or court order and seeking advice before stopping payments can help prevent disputes and ensure ongoing responsibilities are understood. Relevant changes in circumstances should also be reported to the appropriate authority where necessary.
We Can Help
Questions about child maintenance can become complex as children grow older and their circumstances change. Our family law specialists can provide clear and practical advice about your responsibilities and help resolve disagreements over ongoing financial support.
If you need advice about when child maintenance should stop or your financial responsibilities towards your child, contact us to discuss your options.
