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I am enquiring on behalf of my son.... he is supporting two children aged 17 and 16. He has returned to New Zealand to live and is happy to continue to support the two children as long as he is required to do so. How can he establish this please? Also he and his wife own a London home - 6 bedrooms - obviously he will need his share out of this property.... at what age does he no longer have to provide the children with a home, obviously they do not need 6 bedrooms so does he have any leverage there to get their mother to move?
I presume he will be better off using a UK lawyer who is familiar with the law there - any recommendations for one in the South London area please? Hope that question is permitted?
Bryden
Hi Bryden,
Is he still married to the mother?
I ask because decisions about the marital home are often decided as part of the divorce settlement.
In your sons best interests, it would be advisable to consult a solicitor about this. If he sends you written authorisation you can speak to a solicitor by proxy, on his behalf. It might be possible to set up conferencing through Skype so that your son can be a party to the discussions.
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.
Yes, he is still married to the mother.... they have been apart approx. 2 years with her remaining in London and him here in New Zealand where I live... He has NZ citizenship so is entitled to live and work here - as are all four of his children - two of whom have left home (one 24 and one 21). Obviously as some point he will need the proceeds from his half of the house in order to purchase a home here. The mother said he would have to continue to pay maintenance until the last two children are 22 - I want to verify that this is correct.
All four children live in London.
Is there any way to identify solicitors with a focus on Family Law?
TIA -
Bryden
22 is not correct...if the children stay in full time education after they reach 16 then he is expected to continue payments until they are 20 as long as they remain in full time, non advanced education. This does not include University as this is considered as advanced education.
Generally, if a solicitor is a member of the family panel and Resolution they will have experience of family law.
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