The most important thing about a family-based arrangement is that you and the other parent decide between yourselves how and when you will both support your child.
For example, you could both agree that the parent without the main day-to-day care pays:- a fixed regular amount
- a larger 'lump sum' at various points in the child's life
- a proportion of their earnings
- directly for items such as school uniforms or day trips
- a mix of some or all of the above
Alternatively, you could share the care of your child - for example they could stay with the parent without the main day-to-day care during the school holidays, or a couple of nights a week.
What you agree on depends on what you think will work best for you and your children.
It is a good idea to keep a record of all payments made and received, to limit any potential disagreements or misunderstandings. You might also want to review your arrangement at least once a year to make sure it's still working.
Questions about child maintenance amounts or family-based arrangements? Ask us in the Child Maintenance Clinic on the forum.
