The Child Support Pensions and Social Security Bill is likely to enter the House of Lords this month. Consequently, a fundamental change in child support is well on its way to becoming law, although the computer to deliver the new assessments is unlikely to be operational until April 2002.
Practitioners will need to make themselves familiar with the entire Child Support Act (CSA) system. At present, if there is no welfare benefit payment, families can agree to the court’s decision on the issues of child maintenance. However, the effect of the reforms is that all financial settlements are likely to follow the CSA formulas.
It is proposed the non-resident parent should pay from his or her net weekly income:
* 15% where there is one child;
*20% (two children); and
*25% (three or more children)
