[Solved] Child maintenance

If he isn't in full time education, or an approved apprenticeship, then I doubt you are any longer liable to pay maintenance for him.

However, if you are paying through the CSA and the mother is still claiming child benefit for him, you might find it difficult to persuade them that circumstances have changed. If you have a family based arrange then it's up to you to negotiate with the mother about stopping.

All the best

Thanks for that Mojo. He is no longer in full time education and was not on an approved apprenticeship scheme. Just something that was arranged if you no what I mean. Payment to my ex wife is an arranged set amount every month so nothing through CSA. What got me thinking that payment may still be legal requirement is that as far as i know my ex wife is still claiming child benefit which i think she is entitled to do as my son will still be 16 on 31st August 2017. After this date she will have to stop her claim. As long as she is in receipt of child benefit i think i legally have to pay? At least that is the way I understood it on gov.uk. I may have misunderstood though. Feel free to correct me otherwise.
Many Thanks.

Child maintenance is paybable until a child reaches 16, unless they are in full time, non advanced education, or an approved apprenticeship, which you say doesn't apply.

Your ex needs to let the child benefit office know that the circumstances have changed, as she is no longer entitled to claim. I would have this discussion with her, as your arrangement is between yourselves it's up to you both how that would work. It would only be a legal requirement if your arrangement was via the maintenance service.

Theoretically, he could decide to enrol at college, in which case payments and child benefit would resume.

Having had a quick look at the child benefit guidelines it does read as if it stops in the sixteenth year, on the 31st August.

You could give the child benefit office a call and get some clarification before you tackle the mother.... but as I said, because you have a family based arrangement, it's up to you both how it works.

All the best

what is he doing now he's left school? I ask because of this: https://www.gov.uk/know-when-you-can-leave-school

Thanks actd,
Had a read from the link. At present he is doing very little and not making much effort to find employment, apprenticeships or any other form of further education. Worrying times. Based in Scotland so as I understand a school leavers requirement at 16 differ from England. In England it seems that they must continue in further education of some form until they are 18. As I understand this is not the case north of the border. I may be misunderstood so feel free to correct me otherwise.
Many Thanks.