Child maintenance payments

There is mathematical formula to determine the appropriate level of child maintenance payable, instead the Registrar looks at each case on the individual facts of the case.

The Registrar will consider the factors as set out at article 4 of Schedule 1 of the Children (Jersey) Law 2002:

the income, earning capacity and resources of the parents;
the financial needs, obligations and responsibilities of each parent;
the financial needs of the child which can include school fees, child care costs and activities in and out of school;
the income and earning capacity (if any) of the child;
any physical or mental impairment of the child;
the manner in which the child was being, or expected to be, educated or trained.

Child maintenance is normally paid until your child reaches the age of 16 or finishes full-time secondary education, with a review if your child goes on to tertiary education.

The level of child maintenance may be varied if there are material changes in circumstances of the parents and/or child, on any review, the original order will be the Court’s starting point.