Child support lawyers – helping you to financially support your children.

Child support
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Providing for your children’s health, education and financial well-being is important to you

If you are a parent who is concerned about ensuring that your children receive the financial support they need, Perth Divorce Lawyers will help you better understand your rights and responsibilities.

Child support lawyers Perth

Navigating you through child support arrangements

Ordinarily, child support is determined administratively by Services Australia (child support) mainly taking into account the incomes of the parents and the care percentage of the child.

These assessments are known as administrative assessments. Only in some limited circumstances can you apply to the Family Court in relation to child support.

There is also the option for parents to reach their own agreement in relation to the payment of child support. The agreed child support payable can be more or less than an administrative assessment.

Private child support arrangements can be formalised by entering into either a limited or a binding child support agreement. Your agreement can include periodic and non-periodic payments such as school fees or health insurance.

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Leading child support lawyers

Experienced in child support matters

We are here to help you navigate your child support matter and see you through to a resolution.

Working on your behalf, our priority is to ensure that the best interests of your child are met, whilst minimising emotional stress and financial hardship. 

Our experienced child support lawyers are here to help you navigate all areas of your child support matter whether you need legal advice in relation to your administrative child support assessment, the preparation of your child support agreement, help dealing with and interpreting complex child support legislation (e.g. declaring a person as a parent under the  Child Support (Assessment) Act 1989 (Cth.) or issues such as DNA testing) or understanding your right to commence Family Court proceedings in relation to child support or international child support issues.  

Why

Perth Divorce Lawyers

First consultation

Contact us to arrange a fixed fee consultation with no ongoing obligation. You decide the scope of our involvement in your matter, whether that be once off legal advice or ongoing legal representation.

We investigate. We listen.

We give your matter the attention it deserves. We pride ourselves on providing our clients with the highest standard of representation – no matter how simple or complex your matter, it is our priority.

Exceptional client care

We understand that every client is unique. We take the time to get to know you and your situation. We are transparent, approachable and here to help, structuring our legal services to best suit your needs.

Your case is handled by experienced senior lawyers

You can rely on consistent legal representation. Work with the same experienced lawyer every step of the way.

We are a boutique family law firm

As a boutique law firm, we can give your matter the attention it deserves. We thrive on matters that are complex or that require a different approach.

Your outcome is our priority

Perth Divorce Lawyers is a results-driven family law firm. We are here to help. Let us navigate you toward a time and cost-effective resolution.

Child support process

Understand your rights

Providing for the financial well-being of your children can be challenging.

Understanding your rights and responsibilities during the child support process is very important.

Perth Divorce Lawyers is here to advise on the best options for you and your family. 

Initial consultation

Meet with one of our experienced family lawyers. We are approachable and aim to provide clear legal advice across all areas of family law including child support matters.

Support Amounts Assessed

If parties do not informally agree on child support payments, Services Australia (child support) can be asked to do a child support assessment.

Reviews are lodged

If a party disagrees with a child support assessment, there may be grounds to seek that the assessment be reviewed by Services Australia, or further, by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

Child support agreements

You may prefer to formalise your child support agreement by either doing a limited or binding child support agreement. For each, different criteria apply. It is important that you take legal advice.

Child support tips & advice

Simplifying child support for you

01
Collect all your financial documents

Consider the true financial cost of children during your relationship. This will help you to determine what “reasonable” child support looks like.

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02
Seek the appropriate legal advice

Remember, child support is to support your children even though it is paid to, or received from, your ex-partner.

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03
Understand the underlying law

Separation can be hard on children. Having the financial means to continue living as they are used to, can help ease the transition to life after separation.  

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04
Take the process one step at a time

We understand this is a stressful time but these issues do get resolved in due course. Our experience and legal knowledge will assist you to move past the difficulties and towards a better future. 

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Testimonials

Satisfied clients

Client

Ballajura, WA
Annelie Van Zyl provided me with excellent legal service. Going through a divorce including property settlement, I didn’t know what to expect. Aside from her obvious skill and remarkable success rate, Mrs. Van Zyl is genuinely committed to her clients. …

Client

Hocking, WA
I approached Perth Divorce Lawyers as I was referred by a good friend and colleague and needed specialised assistance with my Family Court matter. Perth Divorce Lawyers helped me though the complex process of my matters. As there were a number of issues there was a lot of preparation before the hear…

Client

Perth, WA
I approached Perth Divorce Lawyers because I required assistance with my Family Court proceedings mainly requiring legal assistance with parenting and financial matters including the preparation of my will and divorce matters.Perth Divorce Lawyers helped me by providing sound legal advice, complet…

Client

Aveley, WA
Under difficult and emotional circumstances I received expert guidance throughout the legal process. Yes, it is expensive that I can’t deny though in retrospect my final settlement and fees were better than forecast. The decision to choose Annelie and pursue a fair share of assets was without doubt …

FAQs

Generally speaking Services Australia – Child Support is the government department tasked with assessing child support.   To have your child support assessed and for other useful information on child support matters visit Services Australia.

The child support formula among other things includes working out your child support income, the parties’ combined child support income, your care percentage and the cost of your child. Taking into account these and other matters, your child support amount is then worked out.

In some circumstances parties may apply for an administrative (internal) review of their child support assessment.  Grounds for a review include matters such as the costs of raising the child are significantly affected because of their special needs, the child support assessment is unfair because of the income, earning capacity, property or financial resources of one or both parents and/or the costs of raising the child are significantly affected because the child is being cared for, educated or trained in the way both parents intended e.g. private school.

Generally speaking, the first step would be to get a DNA test to determine paternity.  You may then have to apply to the court for a declaration that you should not be assessed for child support as you are not a parent of the child.  Pending the court’s decision, you must continue to pay child support but the Child Support Registrar will keep your payments and will not distribute child support to the other party.

Yes, if the other party agrees.  You may chose to have an informal agreement in place or you may prefer to formalise your own child support agreement.  In this respect there are two options available to you namely a limited child support agreement or a binding child support agreement.  Different criteria apply to the agreements.  You should take legal advice on your options to best formalise your child support agreement.