Maintenance Payments

webb17

First post.

I am divorced and the maintenance payments I pay to my ex-wife are due to end as our youngest child is finishing school.

Whilst she won't be struggling or poor thereafter she won't be living "in the manner become accustomed to". I would like to continue to pay her maintenance. Obviously I can chose to give anyone a "gift" of money.

What I want to know is, do most maintenance agreements include the clause, like mine, that end on youngest child leaving school. Researching on the net (can not be reliable) it seems the "norm" in UK courts is that DOESN'T end. If this is the case I'd feel less "weird about it" and I think the ex would too. Whereas if 90% stop when children leave school then maybe I should too?

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts.

pigpen

If you want to continue supporting your child after they leave school that is entirely up to you.. the legal obligation will be removed.. but many parents still support their adult offspring while at university or while working so they don't have to struggle quite so much.

I would think it very honourable to continue to support your child. Noone else has to know unless you choose to tell them... just because they are no longer at school doesn't mean they are not your family any more.#

If you are able and willing I would continue paying .. you could reduce what you give the mum and give to the child instead.

HappyMJ

webb17 wrote: »

First post.

I am divorced and the maintenance payments I pay to my ex-wife are due to end as our youngest child is finishing school.

Whilst she won't be struggling or poor thereafter she won't be living "in the manner become accustomed to". I would like to continue to pay her maintenance. Obviously I can chose to give anyone a "gift" of money.

What I want to know is, do most maintenance agreements include the clause, like mine, that end on youngest child leaving school. Researching on the net (can not be reliable) it seems the "norm" in UK courts is that DOESN'T end. If this is the case I'd feel less "weird about it" and I think the ex would too. Whereas if 90% stop when children leave school then maybe I should too?

Would appreciate anyone's thoughts.

Normally you would pay until the end of August after the child finishes school for the year or if the child starts work you would stop earlier.

Once you stop payments to the other parent you can help your child out directly by contributing towards their living costs so they can go on to further education.

pigpen

HappyMJ wrote: »

Normally you would pay until the end of August after the child finishes school for the year or if the child starts work you would stop earlier.

Once you stop payments to the other parent you can help your child out directly by contributing towards their living costs so they can go on to further education.

Depending on the level of course being done the day of their 20th birthday is the latest you would be 'forced' to pay.

webb17

I plan to support the kids through uni (effectively paying them what I used to pay their mother for them). It's more the part of the maintenance that was "for her" rather than the kids bit.

Just wondered what the norm was. Whether "her bit" carries on or, like in my court order, ends.

justme111

I suppose if one pays spousal maintenance the agreement /court papers would state the terms of it. Or did you pay child maintenance? Without knowing it I do not think anyone would be able to reply and if you knew it you would not need to ask the question. Strange that you do not seem to know what you were paying and on what terms. What do you mean by "her bit "?

pigpen

you paid for her too?? thats a rare one now!

I wouldnt pay her it.. but again it is your money.. do you feel like you should? do you want to?

webb17

I pay both child maintenance and spousal maintenance. The court papers are clear that the spousal ends when kids leave school. But I'd like to continue to pay her. Obviously I CAN / nothing stopping me.

But am I being weird? From what I can see the majority of spousal payments continue "forever". If that is the case then fine. But if 90% end the spousal part when kids leave school then I'm probably being weird

elsien

Brothers had to pay spousal maintenance for 4 years to give ex chance to retrain and get back into work. This will be before the kids leave school. He will not be paying any longer than he has to - if she wants more to maintain her lifestyle she can do what the rest of us do and get a job.

What you do is what you feel is right for you in your circumstances. It doesn't matter about other people.

calleyw

webb17 wrote: »

I pay both child maintenance and spousal maintenance. The court papers are clear that the spousal ends when kids leave school. But I'd like to continue to pay her. Obviously I CAN / nothing stopping me.

But am I being weird? From what I can see the majority of spousal payments continue "forever". If that is the case then fine. But if 90% end the spousal part when kids leave school then I'm probably being weird

So what if either of you re-marry or co-habit?

If I was your partner I would understand supporting the child bit but not the ex. And would be less than happy with it.

I was under the impression that spousal maintenance was rare and only lasted until the ex re-married or cohabited.

Yours

Calley

ERICS_MUM

Can you afford to carry on paying spousal support beyond the stipulated date ? Is your ex appreciative or are you thinking about it to appease her, for a quiet life ?

I think it's very honourable of you, not weird at all. She is the mother of your children so you will always have a link.