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Child maintenance

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Halloween311
Posted by
New Member

21 Oct 13 #410872 by Halloween311

Topic started by Halloween311

I got divorced in 2005, in my order of consent it states that my child maintenance shall end on the later of the child reaching the age of 18 or ceasing full time secondary education,
I''m not sure what this actually means? I don''t understand it, my child had just left school & gone onto a further education college & is doing a IMIAL diploma, is this classed as secondary education?
What I really want explained is when do I stop paying the maintenance?

WYSPECIAL
Moderator

21 Oct 13 #410886 by WYSPECIAL

Reply from WYSPECIAL

Yes further education is secondary education and counts for CSA as well. Only difference is if your order says the later of the two events you could be paying it a lot longer than CSA as they may decide to continue secondary education for a long time

Gillian48
Platinum Member

21 Oct 13 #410899 by Gillian48

Reply from Gillian48

I thought full time education was 6th form or equivalent - didn''t think college courses were counted as full time education? I was told once my son left full time education ie 6th form CSA/CTC/CB ended. He wanted to continue to do a college course/diploma but that wasn''t classed as full time so all benefits stopped? Or have I been told wrong?

WYSPECIAL
Moderator

21 Oct 13 #410905 by WYSPECIAL

Reply from WYSPECIAL

It depends what level the course is at. if its equivalent to A level or lower it is non advanced and qualifies. if its degree level it is advanced education and doesn''t

TBagpuss
Platinum Member

22 Oct 13 #410969 by TBagpuss

Reply from TBagpuss

WYSPECIAL is correct - it depends on the classification of the specific course your child is doing. The school or collcge should be able to tell you whether the specific course is classed as secondary or tertiary level education

Child Maintenance Options
Moderator

04 Nov 13 #412425 by Child Maintenance Options

Reply from Child Maintenance Options

Hi Halloween311

Thanks for your post. I am William the Child Maintenance Options consultant. Under child support legislation, regular child maintenance payments must be made until a child is 16 years old, or 20 if they are in full-time, non-advanced education (A-level or equivalent), or for as long as Child Benefit is being paid.

The definition of full-time education is more than 12 hours a week of study, on a course up to and including A level standard. Some examples of non-advanced education are:

•A levels or similar - eg Pre-U, International Baccalaureate
•Scottish Highers
•NVQ up to level 3
•home education - if started before your child turned 16

If the child is in advanced or higher education, they will no longer qualify for child maintenance through the statutory service. Further information can be found at www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19.

With you having a Consent Order in place you will need to contact either the solicitor or the court where the order was originally made to confirm when your payments will end.

Thanks
William.

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Moderators: wikivorce team, rubytuesday, dukey, hadenoughnow, Tets, Forseti, Mitchum, WhiteRose, Lostboy67, WYSPECIAL, Bubblegum11

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