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Child Support

Child Support 

At Robbins Watson, we specialise in family law and provide expert legal guidance on child support matters. Our experienced Gold Coast child support lawyers are here to help you understand your legal obligations and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your children.

Understanding Child Support

Child support, also known as child maintenance, refers to ongoing financial support provided by one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising their children. This includes essential expenses such as food, housing, education, healthcare, and clothing.

As a parent, you are legally required to contribute to your child’s financial well-being until they reach 18 years of age. Both parents share this responsibility, even after separation or divorce, to ensure their children are properly cared for.

How Child Support is Assessed

The Child Support Agency (CSA) determines the amount of child support payable based on a set formula. The assessment considers:

  • The number of children involved.
  • The income of each parent.
  • The amount of time each parent spends caring for the child.

Many families opt for CSA assessments, but disputes can arise regarding the amount calculated. If you disagree with an assessment, we can assist you with:

  • Applications for change of assessment or appeals to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (SSAT).
  • Filing objections with the CSA.

Types of Child Support Agreements

If both parents can agree on financial support arrangements, they can formalise their agreement through one of two legally recognised child support agreements:

Binding Child Support Agreement

A Binding Child Support Agreement allows parents to agree on a child support amount independent of the CSA assessment. This agreement can cover additional expenses such as:

  • Private school fees
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Private healthcare and insurance

To be legally enforceable, both parents must obtain independent legal advice before signing. This agreement can only be changed or terminated with written consent from both parties.

Limited Child Support Agreement

A Limited Child Support Agreement requires an administrative assessment from the CSA. The agreed-upon payment must be equal to or greater than the CSA assessment amount. Unlike a binding agreement, legal advice is not required, but we strongly recommend seeking professional guidance.

A Limited Child Support Agreement can be terminated if:

  • One parent chooses to end it after three years.
  • The paying parent’s income changes by more than 15%, with notice provided to the other parent.

Both agreements can be registered with the CSA for enforcement purposes.

How can we help?

At Robbins Watson, we offer tailored legal advice on child support matters whether you are responsible for making payments or entitled to receive them. Our services include:

  • Negotiating and drafting child support agreements
  • Appealing CSA assessments
  • Enforcing child support obligations
  • Child maintenance for adult children pursuing education or living with a disability

If you need expert legal assistance with child support or child maintenance, contact our Gold Coast based family law team today. We are here to provide practical solutions and support every step of the way.

Get in touch

If you are facing a family law issue, don’t navigate it alone. Contact Robbins Watson Solicitors today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced family lawyers. 

To book an appointment, you can:

  • Call us on 07 5576 9999
  • Book an appointment online by clicking here
  • Fill out our online enquiry form by clicking here

Alternatively, you can get started online now and receive a free personalised welcome pack in minutes.

Meet the team

Ruth Jeffers

Special Counsel

Alexandra Coyle

Senior Associate

Emily Molloy

Law Graduate

Why choose Robbins Watson Solicitors?

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With over 60 years in business, we position our clients and their businesses with the best advice to enable them to prosper.

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What our clients have to say

Chelsea Baker, solicitor at Robbins Watson, has been looking after the administration of our late mother’s estate. Chelsea (and her team) has been very professional, prompt and friendly. She was very knowledgeable and thorough, in explaining everything and providing all the necessary legal documents and advice. We have been very happy with the service provided and would highly recommend Chelsea and her team at Robbins Watson Solicitors

AI & LB

Thank you to Sylvia Hoefnagels for guiding me through an Estate issue. Sylvia was direct, always courteous , very efficient and understanding. I will not hesitate to contact Robbins Watson Law firm should I require further legal advice

Catherine Scally

Thanks to the wonderful assistance of Robbins Watson, we have come to the conclusion of matters for my Father and his Estate… on behalf of my Mother and my brothers we are so grateful for the kindness and guidance shown by Chelsea and yourself, Allison, in all you have done. Thank You.

G

Thank you so very much for your help to see this finalised today Adam !!!!! A very emotional day for me, and I am so grateful for all you have done to push this through.

E.S

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Sarah and the team at Robbins Watson for helping me with my separation recently. Sarah was exceptional in all her dealings with the separation and put my mind at ease throughout the entire process. It was a challenging time however Sarah had it completely under control and achieved a great result allowing me to move forward with confidence. Sarah was very professional, compassionate and supportive the whole way through. Thanks again Sarah for all that you do.

Family Law Client

Marcus, thank you again for your support throughout the settlement process, we very much appreciate your professionalism, advice and communication from start to finish! We would be happy to recommend Robbins Watson to our family and friends.

Angela

Good morning – just wanted to send a quick email off and let you know how impressed (my wife and myself) have been with Emma – We have bought a couple of properties up there over the last year or two – we’re from Wagga Wagga, NSW and are relocating up there at the end of this year. Emma has been absolutely fantastic to deal with and we couldn’t be happier!!! It makes things really easy when you have someone on the ball like she is – so yeah, just a quick ‘Well done’ – thanks so much, we really appreciate it and keep up the good work!

Jarrod

Thank you again for your services, I cannot fault you and your team. You are always such a pleasure to deal with and make what would normally be a stressful time, quite the opposite.

Emma (& Helen)

Please extend my warmest thanks to All that have assisted me. You all have made the process of dealing with Wills, selling property, and soon with my own Will and things. Robbins Watson have exceeded my expectations in ability, personal interactions, pleasant meetings; in short, you are my Solicitors of choice, and I say so to any and all.

George

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