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Hello. I'm am about to leave a relationship. I have a son and I'm wondering what would be the right amount of money to give her for my son each month. I am in a job that sadly is not highly paid. On a good month I earn around 1500 but that is a good month. I now have to think about rent as I will have to move out. I love my son to pieces and I want to give my ex partner a fair moral amount each month. If I could have some advice that would be great. I know there is probably an amount set by government and it is probably not a huge amount so I'm happy to pay more. I mean what's fair. I seem to have messed up enough with getting involved with her I now just want to do what's right. My son is nearly 2 years old.
Hey,
Theres a child maintenance calculator online if you wanted to see what CMS would set it as and take it from there?
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance
I am a partner of a dad going through a hard time to see his daughter but my partner only pays what is stated by CMS as he also needs to take into consideration travel (to collect and return his daughter), rent and own living expenses.
If you still feel the amount is not sufficient you could help out in other ways, i.e buy nappies/food/ clothes for your son etc. My partner used to pay for additional bits on top of an agreed amount each month but his ex took advantage and he would be left struggling to care for himself, in the end they went to CMS.
Each situation is different, so have a look at the calculator and see what might work best for you, your ex and of course most importantly your son.
Good luck
Hi there
The calculation for one child is approximately 12% of your gross income. Reductions are made if you pay into a pension, if the child stays overnight with you and some help with travel expenses to see the child can be claimed too.
Here's a link to more information about how child maintenance is calculated
If you can reach an agreement between yourselves that would be the best option, you can use the calculator to give you some idea of an acceptable amount, but it's what works for both of you. Sometimes paying less than the CMS calculation but agreeing to paying jointly for extras can be another option.
Best of luck
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