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Hi a brifef background before my question. I have a 17 almost 18 year old an pay monthly maintainance directly to her by direct debit. She is starting uni this month so I am still liable to pay for her until she completes her course. For the last 3 years getting to see her has been a struggle she just wont make time to see me. I'm guessing i've seen her about 3 times this year and not at all in the last four months. My question is quite simple, am I within my rights to stop paying by direct debit and insist she collects the money in person and state that if she does not collect it within 14 days she looses that months payment? Harsh I know but I really am sick off paying through the nose for someone who won't even respond to a text message.
Hi awatt - there was a post recently on liability for older children in full time education, I think it was by Georgie Porgie if you want to search for it. The child maintenance specialist said that maintenance liability only continues if the course is non advanced, ie A Levels, BTEC etc... This might be the case for you.
As for how the money is paid, if this is a private arrangement, then I assume you can pay it how you like. My daughter is a year younger and has chosen not to see her Dad so much since starting college, I've tried really hard to encourage her not to grow apart from him and they're spending more time together now. How do you get on with your ex? Would she back you up?
Hi Awatt, as she has now started a University course, as of this month, you are no longer liable for maintenance, so you can pay your daughter however much you want. However, I would recommend that rather than giving her an ultimatum to come and collect the money, perhaps you could start by asking what she needs at the moment, and that you'll get it for her and drop it off, or meet her somewhere to give it to her (don't forget she is going to be extremely busy now she is starting university, both with work and with finding her way around the social scene). If you try to make it so she has to come and see you to get money, then that's all she will ever see it as.
Hi Awatt32
Thank you for your post. Under child support legislation, regular child maintenance payments must be made until a child is 16 years old, or 20 if they are in full-time, non-advanced education (A-level or equivalent), or for as long as Child Benefit is being paid. For further information you can visit https://www.gov.uk/when-child-maintenance-payments-stop.
If you have a family-based arrangement in place, you may wish to speak to the other parent regarding your maintenance payments. As family-based arrangements are not legally enforceable both parents can discuss and negotiate what is included within their agreement. With your daughter starting university, you may wish to discuss that you pay her directly instead of her mother. Alternative, as actd has mentioned see if there is anything that she needs.
If you have an arrangement via the Government’s statutory scheme, you would need to contact them directly to discuss when your payments end. You will find their details on any letters they have sent you or on Gov.uk at https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance.
If you have a Consent Order/Minute of Agreement in place, then you would need to seek legal advice as to when your payments will end.
Regards
William
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