Extension of Children's Maintenance

[Deleted User]

Hi
My cousin is divorced and it's been a difficult road.  She needs to apply for an extension of the children's maintenance order.  Does anyone have any advice on this - seems little in the way of practical help for women unless you are in a super rich marriage.  She earns 24K a year so needs to be affordable.  Any groups that people can recommend for help and advice or personal experience.  Please PM me if more comfortable.  

pinkshoes

How old are the children? Why does it need to be extended?

sheramber

She can calculate   what she is entitled to here
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

[Deleted User]

The circumstances are private and should remain so however one of the points will cover university.  The calculator isn't much help for this unfortunately as it will need to be agreed between the parties or will need to go to Court.  Are there any women's groups that can advise her or anyone who has been through the process and had to self represent or employ a Barrister?

MovingForwards

Ask on wikivorce as that's a forum dedicated to relationships breaking down, financial settlements etc.

Comms69

Beremy said:

The circumstances are private and should remain so however one of the points will cover university.  The calculator isn't much help for this unfortunately as it will need to be agreed between the parties or will need to go to Court.  Are there any women's groups that can advise her or anyone who has been through the process and had to self represent or employ a Barrister?

There is unlikely to be any extension unless it's for very extreme circumstances. 

The CMS is the legal requirement, without details it's impossible to say what the chances are; but at best slim.

elsien

Depending on the nature of the relationships, the child could also see whether the maintenance payer would be prepared to pay them living expenses directly rather than pay maintenance straight to the mother. This is a compromise that has worked well for a relative of mine.  

Spendless

My neice's Dad also stopped paying child maintainance to my sis-i-l  and instead paid it to Neice for the duation of the time she was at university. There's a bit about maintaince and higher education here.   http://www.separateddads.co.uk/what-age-do-child-maintenance-payments-stop.html

[Deleted User]

Thank you - that sounds fairly reasonable.  I presume the children then pay some living costs to their mum then?  She needs a three bed house which she wouldn't if she lived by herself.  She obviously has the associated maintenance costs of that plus she's the one buying the duvets, pillows, etc.  

74jax

Beremy said:

Thank you - that sounds fairly reasonable.  I presume the children then pay some living costs to their mum then?  She needs a three bed house which she wouldn't if she lived by herself.  She obviously has the associated maintenance costs of that plus she's the one buying the duvets, pillows, etc.  

If the money is paid to the 'child' then I'd expect them to buy the duvet etc, to be fair it's probably under £20 for it anyway.

If my daughter was living at home whilst at University, I personally wouldn't expect money, but that's just me. 

onwards&upwards

Beremy said:

Thank you - that sounds fairly reasonable.  I presume the children then pay some living costs to their mum then?  She needs a three bed house which she wouldn't if she lived by herself.  She obviously has the associated maintenance costs of that plus she's the one buying the duvets, pillows, etc.  

I'd have probably said she's the one paying the utility and food bills, bedding is not generally a huge ongoing expense!