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 to ensure their children are properly cared for, even after separation or divorce.

How to Formalise Child Support

There are two ways that parties can formalise Child Support:

1. Through the Child Support Agency;
2. By entering a private child support agreement.

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 overnight time each parent spends caring for the child.

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

• Filing objections with the CSA.
• Applications for change of assessment or appeals to the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), with leave of the Tribunal.

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:

1. 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:

• Weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments
• Private school fees
• Extracurricular activities
• Private healthcare and insurance
• Out of pocket medical expenses

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.

2. 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.