Child support and adult child maintenance lawyers.
If you're navigating child support or adult child maintenance, it’s understandable to feel unsure about your options or obligations. Our compassionate and experienced family lawyers in Adelaide and regional South Australia are here to help you understand how the law applies to your situation and to support you in making informed decisions for your family’s future.
Child support is normally calculated by Services Australia, but there are also options for private agreements that reflect your family’s unique needs. In some cases, financial support may continue after a child turns 18 — particularly if they are studying or living with a disability.
We take the time to explain your rights and responsibilities clearly and help you negotiate and formalise arrangements that are fair, practical, and legally sound. Whether you’re seeking guidance, support with negotiations, or need to apply to the Court, we’re here to help every step of the way.
How is child support calculated in south australia?
Generally, child support is calculated by Services Australia using an administrative formula.
The administrative formula produces the annual rate of child support payable under an administrative assessment, unless the assessment is varied by:
- a Departure Order by a Court;
- a Change of Assessment decision; or
- the provisions of a Limited or Binding Child Support Agreement.
A helpful starting point can be the tools available on the Services Australia website for calculating care percentages and for estimating child support obligations.
The estimator is located here: https://processing.csa.gov.au/estimator/About.aspx
If you need assistance to learn more about how the child support system operates and to understand your child support obligations or entitlements, we can help.
How we can help with negotiating child support arrangements
In some cases, parents will negotiate and agree upon variations to the annual rate of child support that would otherwise be payable under the administrative assessment.
Often, arrangements of that sort address the payment of periodic child support as well as things like school fees, the cost of extra-curricular activities, private health care premiums, and other health care costs.
We can also help with negotiating child support arrangements and formalising them so that they become binding.
What is adult child maintenance?
Sometimes, parents have a responsibility to continue to provide financial support for their children after they reach the age of 18.
This is called adult child maintenance.
The amount of adult child maintenance payable is calculated by reference to the adult child’s income and necessary expenses as well as the financial circumstances and necessary commitments of their parents.
There are fairly limited circumstances under which adult child maintenance is payable, including: when an adult child has a disability is undertaking tertiary study.
We can help you to negotiate an agreement about adult child maintenance or make an Application to Court, if necessary.
Meet our child support lawyers in Adelaide & Regional SA
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