Child Maintenance
Financial support that parents or responsible persons may need to provide for a child's needs.
Definition
Child maintenance can cover recurring costs such as food, housing, schooling, medical care, transport, clothing, and other needs. It may be agreed, ordered, varied, or enforced through the Maintenance Court depending on income, expenses, care arrangements, and the child's circumstances.
Key takeaways
Financial support that parents or responsible persons may need to provide for a child's needs.
Family Law
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Related legal problems
This glossary provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
Common situations
Child maintenance
Maintenance arrears
Maintenance variation
Related resources
Resources and guides
Maintenance Documents Checklist
Document pack for income, expenses, child costs, payment records, and maintenance court preparation.
Family LawPreparation PackParenting Plan Preparation Pack
Preparation pack for care, contact, schooling, holidays, communication, and parenting-plan discussion points.
Family LawClient Document PackChild Maintenance Court Document Pack
Child Maintenance Court Document Pack: prepare Child birth certificate, Parent ID documents, Income proof and identify missing records before legal advice.
Family LawChecklistMaintenance Variation Checklist
Prepare for a maintenance variation discussion by organising the existing order, changed financial facts, income and expense records, child needs, payment history, court forms, and consultation questions.
Family LawChecklistParenting Plan Question Checklist
Prepare parenting-plan questions by organising child routines, care and contact arrangements, school and medical decisions, holidays, communication rules, safety concerns, documents, and lawyer questions.
Family LawFAQs
Child Maintenance FAQs
What does Child Maintenance mean?
Financial support that parents or responsible persons may need to provide for a child's needs.
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