An assessment of child support by Services Australia for child support is used to work out how much child support should be paid by each parent.
The question that this article presents, relates to when an assessment for child support payments made by the agency, Services Australia, ends.
What is Child Support?
Child support relates to the financial support of children under the age of 18 to cover (amongst others) expenses such as schooling, housing, food and clothes. It is an important aspect that the Court considers when a separation or divorce involves children.
Parents can agree between themselves as to how child support payments should be made, by way of a Child Support Agreement, however, if there is no agreement, payment will usually end for the following reasons:
- the child turns 18 years of age;
- the child completes secondary school;
- if a parent chooses to stop receiving Child Support payments; or
- if the child:
- moves overseas;
- not in the care of neither parents;
- becomes financially independent and is able to earn an income;
- passes away;
- gets married (or is in a de facto relationship); or
- gets adopted.
What is child support for?
Child support payments can cover the child’s reasonable living expenses such as (but not limited to):
- Food;
- Clothing;
- Accommodation, including rent, bond payments and even mortgage repayments;
- Medical expenses; and
- Child-care/school.
However, in some cases, child support may cease in some circumstances before the child turns 18, and may also continue to be payable in certain circumstances for children over the age of 18 years.
Child Maintenance after a child turns 18
The term used for child support payments for children over 18, is child maintenance. There are some limited situations where child support payments may be payable after a child has turned 18, such as where the adult child has a disability, special needs, or other health issues preventing them from supporting themselves. Child maintenance and is not assessed by Services Australia, however, is ordered by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Our Family Lawyers provide expert practical and legal advice to parents and assist with child support agreements, mediations, and resolving disputes regarding child support matters. Contact us today on (03) 8376 6209.