Child Support
During a relationship and following separation, the obligation to financially support children continues and in fact, it is a responsibility.
At Parry Coates Family Law, we have been involved in many parenting matters where a child support dispute exists. Our first piece of advice is to direct our clients to the child support agency website. The agency is formally controlled by Services Australia (Child Support). We simply refer to it as the ‘child support agency’ or CSA.
Please visit the Services Australia website for further information.
Where the parents wish to avoid the child support agency and the assessment process, we can provide extensive advice about other methods to resolve a child support dispute. A child support assessment specifies a cash periodic payment required to be made by one parent to the other parent. An assessment does not take in account other child related expenses such as private school fees. In circumstances where this exists, you will be required to apply for a Change of Assessment. This can be a very tedious process.
Parents can negotiate and agree on a private collection arrangement or enter into a formal child support agreement. We will provide you with advice about this arrangement and the benefits of a private agreement.