Recession hits child maintenance

Parents feeling the pinch of the recession may struggle with maintenance payments after many are hit by reduced income or redundancy.

Ex-partners who may face a loss of previously counted bonuses or reduced salaries will be entitled to have their maintenance payments reduced, says law firm DWF.

Head of family law at DWF, David Pickering said: “An order for maintenance can be varied upwards or downwards to reflect changes in financial circumstances. Redundancy, the failure of a business, or a reduction in income are all good reasons for having the level of maintenance payments reduced, as is loss of bonus payments, provided these were factored into the original agreement.

“Equally ex-partners who are receiving maintenance but have seen their income from other sources fall may wish to apply for an increase in payments.

“An experienced family lawyer will be able to advise you on whether the sum that you are currently paying or receiving is still appropriate for your circumstances, and whether it is worthwhile attempting to have it changed by the court.”