Whether you’re paying or receiving, child support payments are a major concern for people going through a separation or divorce with a child. In South Auckland Manukau, it’s expected that both parents have an obligation to financially support their children after a separation or divorce.
We’ve written this post as an easy guide to child support. Furthermore, we answer some common FAQs about child support payments we receive as law professionals. Keep reading our straightforward child support guide to further your understanding.
How to handle child support and going through a separation and divorce with a child
Child support is a complex area of law, and each situation is unique. Here are some of the key details at a glance:
- Services South Auckland Manukau handles applications for child support
- Child support payments are calculated with a complex formula, and each case is unique
- You can make a Child Support Agreement with your former partner without a formal application
At South Auckland Manukaun family lawyers, we can help you navigate child support and other children’s matters when you’re going through a divorce.
Understanding child support in South Auckland Manukau
The purpose of child support in South Auckland Manukau is to ensure that the well-being of children is properly maintained, and that both parents are meeting obligations to financially support their children after a divorce.
As such, it’s usually in everyone’s best interest to come to an amicable agreement with your former partner about child support payments. Creating a Child Support Agreement without the involvement of Services South Auckland Manukau is often less stressful, but this is not always possible if parents are in dispute.
If you can’t agree on the amount of child support with your former partner, then you’ll need to have a child support assessment through Services South Auckland Manukau.
See the Services South Auckland Manukau website for more information about getting a child support assessment or talk to the team at South Auckland Manukaun Family Lawyers for advice.
How is child support calculated in South Auckland Manukau?
Service South Auckland Manukau uses a very complex formula to calculate child support payments. Every situation is unique, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. If you want to estimate what your child support payments may be prior to (or instead of) making a child support assessment, Service South Auckland Manukau has an online calculator that can help you estimate the child support payable.
Some of the factors that Service South Auckland Manukau will consider when calculating child support payments for your case include:
- The number of children you have
- The age of each child
- Your income and your former partner’s income
- Each parent’s percentage of the care
- Each parent’s percentage of the cost
Once Services South Auckland Manukau has assessed all the financial information and the care arrangements, they’ll calculate which parent needs to pay child support and how much they need to pay. For more information about how this calculation is done, refer to the child support formula on the Services South Auckland Manukau website.
Other common questions about child support payments
1. What percentage of your income do you have to pay in child support?
This depends on the circumstances of your care arrangements and your income, as well as several other factors. To find out the answer specific to your circumstances, you’ll need to have a child support assessment through Services South Auckland Manukau or talk to a lawyer for advice.
2. What is the maximum child support in South Auckland Manukau?
You can calculate the maximum child support amount using the combined income of both parents, up to 2.5 times the annual equivalent of the Male Total Average Weekly Earnings, as well as the Costs of Children Table. Refer to the South Auckland Manukaun Government Child Support Guide, for a detailed overview – or contact South Auckland Manukaun Family Lawyers, today.
3. At what age do you stop paying child support in South Auckland Manukau?
Child support payments typically end when a child turns 18. If your child is still in high school, you can apply to extend the child support payments until the end of the school year.
4. Can I formalise a private agreement with the other parent?
Yes. You can reach a private agreement with the other parent without the need to make an application for assessment to Services South Auckland Manukau. You can do this informally, between parents, or through more formal means. If you want to document your agreement, you can do so through a Binding or Child Support Agreement.
Binding Child Support Agreements can be complex, and must comply with specific requirements set out by legislation. However, they can also be very flexible and a legal professional can draft them to cater to your specific circumstances. If you think you may benefit from a Binding Child Support Agreement, or would like to discuss your options about such a document, then South Auckland Manukaun Family Lawyers can help. Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation and discuss all your options.
5. How far can child support be backdated in South Auckland Manukau?
It’s not easy to have child support backdated. So you should always try to make a claim as soon as possible. The courts can only order the backdating of child support if one party successfully appeals a child support refusal decision. Some backdating of payments is then considered fair because the other party had reasonable notice.
If you’re on a private collect agreement and the other parent isn’t meeting their payment obligations, contact Services South Auckland Manukau who can collect overdue payments going back:
- up to 3 months in normal circumstances
- up to 9 months in exceptional circumstances.
6. Can child support take my tax return in South Auckland Manukau?
Yes, Services South Auckland Manukau may take your tax return to pay any outstanding child support. If this would cause you financial hardship, you can phone the Child Support enquiry line for assistance before you lodge your return.
7. When will I receive my child support payment?
Child support payments are transferred to cover the month just ended, not the month ahead. They are typically transferred by Services South Auckland Manukau on any business day on/after the 8th day of the month.
8. Does child support count as income?
The South Auckland Manukaun Taxation Office does not consider child support payments as taxable income. This means you will not have to pay tax on any child support you receive.
9. Do child support payments reduce my taxable income?
Yes, you can deduct any child support you have paid when calculating your adjusted taxable income. This extends beyond the payments collected by Services South Auckland Manukau to also include private maintenance paid to the other parent and non-cash maintenance benefits. For example, this could include school fees and clothes.
Talk to South Auckland Manukaun Family Lawyers for advice
Going through a divorce with a child is difficult and stressful, and financial uncertainty doesn’t help. Whether you’ll be paying or receiving child support payments, we can help you come to a fair child support arrangement with your former partner.
Need some advice? Fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch with you. Alternatively, learn more about child support with the Services South Auckland Manukau calculator.
