Child Support

Aitken Partners has helped clients across Melbourne and Victoria find an agreeable and efficient resolution to their child support and custody disputes, ensuring all proceedings and mediations are handled productively and respectfully. We understand that child support and custody matters can be a complex, lengthy and stressful for all parties concerned. We are here to ensure our clients receive professional legal assistance and representation and a consistent and compassionate base of support to help them through every step of the process.

Child support is a payment from one parent to the other to assist in the day-to-day care of the children.

Parties can either seek payment of child support through the Child Support Assessment Scheme or attempt to reach an agreement through private negotiations.

The Child Support Assessment Scheme applies to children whose parents separated on or after 1 October 1989 or where a child is born after that date. The Child Support Agency applies an administrative formula in calculating the appropriate level of support payable by one party to the other.

In broad terms, the formula takes into account the number of children and the age of the children in your family, the number of nights the children spend in your respective care, whether there are any other children who require your financial assistance, and the taxable income of yourself and your partner. The costs are then shared between the parents in proportion to each parent’s contribution to their combined income.

Private Agreements for child support are usually reserved for parties with a significant income. As part of any private agreement, child support can include a periodic sum, paid weekly, fortnightly or monthly; Private School fees and associated expenses; Private health insurance and medical expenses; and extracurricular expenses for children, including their sporting and other activities.

Our specialised child support lawyers can advise you as to your liability to pay, or entitlement to receive child support and can also assist you in reaching an agreement on such issues and draft any associated private agreements on child support matters.

The Aitken Partners staff work closely with you, taking the time to understand each client's personal, professional and emotional circumstances. When they work with our compassionate team of child support lawyers, Melbourne clients can be sure that their case is in good hands.

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