Child Maintenance
If you have become responsible for the financial well being of your children, but have been unable to make the necessary changes in your lifestyle to suit their needs, then you are probably looking for an alternative to child maintenance payment plans. In many cases, if your children have suffered abuse or neglect then the child support payments have made it nearly impossible for you to keep up with the demands placed on you and this may have had a negative impact on your children’s development and mental health.
The best way forward to reduce the stress of child maintenance payments is to seek professional help. Family mediation is when an impartial, professional mediator helps to make both you and your ex reach a mutually acceptable agreement on financial matters like: Child custody arrangements for your children after separation. Child maintenance payments.
These days, parents who cannot afford to continue paying child maintenance, or have difficulties managing their finances, often look towards alternative solutions to their problems within the parent‘s life. Many child maintenance agreements also require that the child pays something towards the ex-spouse’s living expenses (such as rent or housing). This can be incredibly stressful, and if you have been forced to go through this process, then it is time to seek professional help to see what you can do to get on the right track.
The first step in mediation is to sit down with your lawyer and come to a legally binding agreement that both you and your ex are comfortable with. In most cases, mediation is used to help resolve disputes over child support and child custody that cannot be resolved amicably. Although, it can be used in other situations as well. For example, it may be used to address any issues regarding the other parent’s financial obligations, which may cause a problem between you and the other parent.
A mediator will review all documentation and speak to both you and your ex about how the children will be better managed and who will be in charge of your child’s welfare. Your lawyer may be asked to provide information on how the legal agreement will affect your financial status, such as your salary, whether you are employed full time or part time, and how much you currently make.
There are two types of professional mediation companies: non-profit and government funded. Non-profit companies charge a fee, but tend to offer better and more thorough assistance and have a proven track record of successfully working with divorced and separating couples. Government funded mediation companies do not require a fee and will therefore be more expensive.
Child mediation will also involve dealing with issues around your child’s education and health. Your ex may request information about your child’s medical history, including where they attended school, where they play, what happened during the birth, etc, to help establish their custody and visitation schedule.
Mediation will allow both parties to speak freely with each other and come to an agreement that is both fair and reasonable. It is essential that both parties are able to talk and communicate, as you will be able to make decisions based on your feelings and understanding, which can help you get on the right track to a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
If you are still not ready to proceed with the mediation, you may choose to hire a private divorce attorney to represent your case. In addition, there are many other resources that you can use to help you find the best mediator for your needs. You can easily find many organizations, websites, and magazines that offer free information about the process and legal proceedings.
Child maintenance can be an extremely emotionally draining experience. If you and your ex cannot reach an agreement about child support payments, your ex will usually file to have the court order enforced; however, this process can be costly and time consuming.
Mediation can help you and your ex settle your child support payments without having to resort to litigation. In fact, a mediator can often help you save a substantial amount of money by helping you create a more workable arrangement, which is fair to both you and the other parent. This can help your family stay together and can ensure that you continue to make the payments on time.
Contact us today to find out more about what we can do for you!
Or call us today on 01908 966008
