Child maintenance is the legal responsibility both parents share to contribute to the financial needs of their children. It doesn't matter whether parents are married, divorced or never lived together - both must contribute. Maintenance is usually paid until a child becomes an adult and is able to financially support themselves. In some cases, if parents cannot provide, the responsibility can also extend to grandparents.

The amount is based on two things: your child's needs and each parent's financial means. Maintenance usually covers essentials like food, clothes, housing, transport, school fees, and medical costs. If circumstances change (for example, if a parent loses their job, earns more, or the child's needs increase) either parent can apply to review and adjust the amount..

You can apply for maintenance at your local Maintenance Court without a lawyer, but the paperwork and procedures can be confusing. With LAW FOR ALL, you get step-by-step support - from help preparing documents to guiding you on what to include to support your claim. And, if the other parent has a lawyer, we'll appoint one to represent you in court.

Once a child turns 18, they need to claim maintenance in their own name. The good news is that LAW FOR ALL's policies also cover your children, so they'll have access to our legal team to help them apply.

It depends on the court's schedule and whether the case is contested. Some maintenance claims are finalised in a few months, while more complicated ones take longer. If one parent earns much less or is unemployed, the court will still expect a contribution that is reasonable.