Protecting Your Child’s Future: Trusted Child Support Family Lawyers
Ensuring fair child support for you and your children.
Your advocates in the child support process.
Practical solutions for a fresh start – helping you move forward with confidence.
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Why choose Orman Solicitors for your child support negotiations?
How we work with you
Negotiating child support can be complex, so it is advisable to seek legal guidance to ensure a fair and enforceable arrangement.
The child support negotiation process in New South Wales (NSW) generally involves the following steps:
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★ ★ ★ ★ ★ | 5.0 Star Family Law Services in Sydney and Wagga Wagga
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Mary
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My experience with Orman solicitors has been truly amazing with there professional team of experts. I could not be happier with the outcome off my family law settlement and would highly recommend Orman solicitors for all your legal matters.
Angela Williams
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Great, knowledgeable and supportive staff, they were efficient in getting me a great result. The communication was clear and consistent, when I had queries, they were addressed promptly. Could not recommend more.
Lindsay Wilson
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I’d like to share, my upmost Respect to Ormans Solicitors team members, they had my back, got me through the most difficult times, I was so overwhelmed worrying about everything, would all sort out. I would recommend them out there, they certainly give you the support, comforting, that its all going to be ok. Maggie, and the team are just Amazing. I’d like to Thank, each and every one of them for helping through, with there dedication and outcome certainly was of comfort, Good ending. I was so Happy, I chosen Ormans Solicitors. You are All a Great Team. I will Always be Grateful. Thank you to All of You.
Rose Valenzisi
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“I cannot thank Maggie and her team enough for the flawless way they handled my matter. I felt that Maggie was always completely invested in my matter and everything from the beautiful office to the team’s amazing service made me feel like family. Their commitment to my matter never ceased to amaze me. I would not hesitate to recommend Orman Solicitors.”
Lisa
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
When I first approached Maggie I was financially destitute and frightened, my settlement was not going well, I had been dropped by another solicitor because they felt that my case was to difficult and time consuming. Maggie helped me to feel at ease she assured me that I everything would be okay and then she and her staff went to work. She helped me to stay strong when I was ready to give up and just take anything to make the whole mess go away and fought for me to get an amount that was acceptable. I highly recommend Maggie and her team they truly do go above and beyond the call to ensure that their clients get the absolute best result possible.
Shimmer Pender
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Maggie has been my solicitor for a number of years – in all that time, I have found her to be professional, hardworking, honest and respectful. She has shown compassion, empathy and helped my family through the toughest times when we needed it most. I have recommended her to friends and relatives, who have also then gone on to recommend her and her firm.
Helen Gordan
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Empathy, dedication and passion are three words I would use to describe Maggie Orman and her team. Maggie has been my family lawyer for over 10 years and has guided me through many difficult periods of my life, and ensured I came out the other end a stronger woman and mother. Maggie is rational, compassionate and highly ethical. I felt that she truly cared about me, my family and our wellbeing. Maggie’s skilful advice and counsel achieved an incredibly quick resolution, and kept costs to a minimum. I will continue to use Maggie Orman Solicitors for all my family law requirements and highly recommend her to anyone requiring a family lawyer.
Joan Rached
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The Barnett family are very thankful to Maggie and the whole team for doing all the groundwork to get our case a great result. We are very happy with their help and wish to give them credit for their hard work to get our matter up and going.
The Barnett Family
CASE STUDY
Child Support
Our client sought assistance with both parenting arrangements including child support and a property settlement including spousal maintenance following the breakdown of a 10-year marriage. The couple had two children, and our client had played a significant role in the family business, contributing to the accumulation of substantial wealth.
After the relationship ended, our client endured physical abuse, including incidents in front of the children. In an attempt to discredit our client, the ex-spouse falsely accused her of having a prescription drug and alcohol problem, hoping to gain a strategic advantage in the proceedings. The ex-partner also removed the children from her care and made unfounded reports to the police, alleging excessive discipline and alcohol abuse.
How we helped
We supported our client in obtaining an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) due to the physical assault. We advocated strongly for their rights, including securing access to the children,
Additionally, we represented our client in negotiations and court proceedings, working to achieve financial security and release them from the financial and coercive control that had been imposed by the ex-spouse.
What was the outcome?
We successfully negotiated a Binding Child Support Agreement, Financial Agreement (including spousal maintenance), and Parenting Orders. As a result, our client was not liable for any child support payments and regained the ability to spend time with their children, without the need for supervised visits. Furthermore, our client retained a significant portion of the family wealth, allowing them to start a new chapter, free from financial control and abuse.
Maggie Orman
Principal
Renata Matyear
Senior Solicitor
Eileen Newcombe
Senior Solicitor
Child Support FAQ
What is Child Support?
Child support is a legal obligation that requires a parent to provide financial assistance for the upbringing and care of their child or children. It is typically ordered by a Court to ensure that children receive the financial support they need. Even after separation, it is expected that both parents are financially responsible to support their children.
How much Child Support will I pay?
The amount of child support can vary depending on the income of the parents involved, and the child’s living arrangements, but is most commonly paid in regular periodic payments as determined by and distributed via Services Australia. To determine how much child support is paid, you can view the Child Support formula on the Services Australia website.
What age do I stop paying child support?
It is legally required that both parents provide adequate financial support to their children until they reach the age of 18 – this can include biological or adopted children of a married or de facto couple, and in some circumstances step-children.
What happens if my partner doesn’t pay child support?
Services Australia is empowered to recover unpaid child support in a number of ways. These include:
- Garnishing wages. This is where the agency contacts the paying parent’s employer and deducts a portion of the parent’s pay and transfers that amount to the other parent.
- Deducting tax refunds. This is where the agency will deduct the arrears from the parent’s tax refund
- Garnishee bank accounts. This is where the agency is able to contact the paying parent’s bank and request that the arrears be removed from their account and be paid to the other parent
- Court proceedings. The agency is empowered to initiate Court proceedings for the recovery of the arrears in child support.
How can Orman Solicitors assist me with seeking a child support agreement with my ex-partner?
Our expert solicitors can assist with:
- Negotiating financial child maintenance agreements.
- Applying for a child support assessment.
- Opposing a child support assessment if you believe. incorrect information has influenced the decision – this is extremely time sensitive, please contact us urgently.
- Applying for a change of child support assessment, if your circumstances have changed since the initial agreement.
Can the child support amount be changed?
Yes, the amount can be modified. Either parent can apply for a review if there are significant changes in circumstances, such as a shift in income, changes in care arrangements, or additional expenses for the child. The modification can be requested through the Services Australia or via the Court if required.
How is Child Support calculated?
Within Australia, child support is regulated through Services Australia. Unless separated parents can come to a private agreement, child support amounts and details are calculated and regulated by Services Australia Services, and regulated by the CSA. You can use the Child Support Estimator on the Services Australia website to calculate an estimate of your child support payments.
Do you pay Child support if you have a 50/50 custody split?
A common misconception with respect to child support and equal care arrangements is that child support is not payable in equal care arrangements. A party can still be liable to pay child support notwithstanding there are equal care arrangements. This is because child support is paid from one parent to another to support the expenses of a child. So, in circumstances where a parent is earning significantly more than their former spouse, they may be liable to pay child support to the other parent.
What is Child Support supposed to cover?
Child support is meant to cover various expenses related to the child’s well-being, including but not limited to:
- Basic necessities: Food, clothing, and shelter.
- Educational expenses: School fees, books, and supplies.
- Medical expenses: Health insurance, co-pays, and uninsured medical costs.
- Childcare: Expenses for daycare or babysitting services.
- Extracurricular activities: Participation in sports, clubs, or hobbies.
- Transportation: Costs associated with getting the child to school, medical appointments, and visitation.
- Special needs: Additional expenses if the child has special requirements.
Do both parents have a legal obligation to support their child even without a Court order?
Each parent has the legal obligation to meet the financial needs of their children. These financial needs include:
- The child’s housing costs, such as meeting rent and mortgage costs.
- The child’s food expenses.
- The medical and dental expenses to maintain the child’s health or treat the child, if required.
- The child’s clothing.
- The child’s education, such as school fees or private school tuition.
What costs does Child Support cover?
Child support is intended to cover the costs associated with raising children, such as food, housing, clothing, education, medical care, and extracurricular activities. In some cases, parents can agree to cover specific expenses like private school fees or childcare costs as part of the support arrangement, though these need to be explicitly included in a formal agreement.
Can Child Support include private school fees?
While standard child support assessments do not automatically cover private school fees, parents can negotiate a child support agreement that includes such costs. If parents have previously agreed on private schooling, the Court or the Child Support Agency may consider these costs as part of the assessment.
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