Roughly how much child maintenance should he pay

HurdyGurdy

The parents do not live together, although they are a couple. The father only sees the child in the company of the mother - they spend about a week together at a time, at the father's home. Usually every two to three months. The father never has sole contact with the child and never has the child alone overnight.

The father's income averages out at £145 a week. There are no other children involved. The father does not claim any benefits. The father lives with his parents.

Roughly what amount should the father be paying to the mother for maintenance?

Northern_Princess

I believe it is 15%. From what I know from a friend who gets maintenance for her daughter it is reduced depending on overnight stays with her daughterr's dad. Although they have shared care of their daughter and she says there half the week and half the week at her mums.

NewKittenHelp

If they're a couple then he shouldn't be paying maintenance, he should be paying for half of everything.

19lottie82

A bit off topic, but......

If they are a couple and have a child together, why does the father not have any sole contact with the child? This seems a little odd.

peachyprice

If they're not separated maintenance isn't applicable. He should be supporting his child 50/50 with the mother.

Northern_Princess

I never read the first post correctly so apologies. If they are still a couple 50/50. My friend is divorced and before shared care was agreed it was 15% and reduced as the little one spent more time with their dad.

Dunroamin

You say the father isn't claiming benefits but is the mother?

HurdyGurdy

Thanks all.

I have no idea if the mother is claiming any benefits.

When you say they should be paying 50% each - what is that to cover? Both the child's parents still live at home with their own parents, and so there are no housing costs as such, and each pay "board" to their own parents.

So are you saying that they should take the costs of the child - nappies, formula, clothing and toys, and pay 50% of the cost of those each? Or are there other expenses to be taken into account.

19lottie82

that would seem the most sensible and obvious solution (although there is no 100% correct one), after all, they both contributed 50% when it came to creating the child, didn't they?

Gillyx

Yes I'd say 50/50 too, unless there is a severe salary discrepancy.

NewKittenHelp

HurdyGurdy wrote: »

Thanks all.

I have no idea if the mother is claiming any benefits.

When you say they should be paying 50% each - what is that to cover? Both the child's parents still live at home with their own parents, and so there are no housing costs as such, and each pay "board" to their own parents.

So are you saying that they should take the costs of the child - nappies, formula, clothing and toys, and pay 50% of the cost of those each? Or are there other expenses to be taken into account.

The mother is obviously claiming child benefits, which will be a substantial amount as a single mother. Any costs above and beyond for the baby should be met equally by each parent.

Personally I feel that the sets of parents should no longer take board from their children and instead insist that the money is saved up so this family can be together. Obviously someone failed somewhere if children are having children.