Scope of Child Support Payments

Hi, I've set up an agreed child maintenance order with my ex whereby I'm paying her £600 a month, as required by the CSA. I have one son, aged 12. My ex works, but has a modest salary.

There are clearly costs incurred such as food, heat & light for my son, provided by my ex while he lives with her, which are designed to be included within the scope of the payments that I'm making. Where do we stand with respect to the cost of clothing, which must come close to £1000 a year, I'm guessing. My ex would normally buy all of his clothes. I expect that most parents come to their own arrangements, but what's the norm? My ex expects me to contribute 50% to his clothing costs, which I'm doing, but should I expect these costs to come out of the child support?

We've agreed a Clean Break settlement, so while she has no spousal support payments from me, she has received the lion's share of the family assets, and has enough to purchase a nice house outright.

Thanks for any comments.

General clothing is covered by the CM - some parents, with mutual agreement may share the cost of specialist clothing, school uniforms etc.

If the sum of £1000 per annum for you son's clothing is accurate, then that amounts to just over £80 a month, and given the rather generous amount of CM of £600 per month, £80 a month snt really a huge dent in the monthly CM.

strictly speaking, you are not liable to pay anything over and about the CM.

On a practical basis, both in the interests of maintaining a good relationship with your ex, it may be worth making some additinal contributions.

Consider - how does your disposable income (income after payment of maintenace, basic housing, utilities and food costs, but before taking into account things such as clothes, savings, holiday or entertainment) compare with your ex's (again, taking into account those costs, and taking into account her total income, including CM and any tax credits or benefits)?

I would asy that it is likely to be reaspnable to contribute to non-standard expenses - e.g. things such as school trips, and extra clothes or equipment he needs for out of school activities etc, however, it's also reasonable that those expenses are discuissed and agreed before they are incurred, rather than for you to be presented with a fait accompli and expected to pay on demand. It may be sensible to discuss with your ex what you both feel would be reasonable. (e.g. that she will budget of £x per month for clothes and you will provide £y toward s that.

you might want to consider suggesting a different arragnmetns - for instance, that you won't pay for clothes but will take sole resposibility for paying for a specific after school activity (membership costs, equipment, lessons, whatever)

It's also worth considering - can you afford an extra £40 a month, and is it worth it to ou to paythat to maintain a good relationship with you ex for the benefit of your son?