About Caroline:
Caroline has more than 30 years' experience in family law, with renowned expertise in international child relocation and cohabitation claims, as well as complex financial provision cases.
Our child maintenance lawyers can help determine how much child support should be paid, review existing arrangements if circumstances change, and help you to enforce payments if they have stopped.
We will provide you with no-nonsense advice on the outcome you can expect and how to achieve it.
Child maintenance payments can be agreed by the parents voluntarily. However, if the paying parent is not willing to agree an amount voluntarily, the receiving parent can apply to the Child Maintenance Service. A small fee will be deducted by the Child Maintenance Service from each parent if the service is used.
To be eligible your child needs to be under 16, or under 20 if they are in full-time education up to and including A level or equivalent.
Arrangements for adult children in tertiary education or training can also be made, as can arrangements for school fees.
If a child lives overseas, or if the paying parent lives abroad, expert advice is required. Likewise if the paying parent is a high earner as a ‘top-up’ order may be available.
Additional financial claims can be made for a child, either on divorce or civil partnership dissolution for married parents or under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 for unmarried parents.
Schedule a callRecognised as leaders in our field in all major directories
Testimonials
-
The team provides an exceptional service of early, clear and realistic advice, very high attention to detail, considered and careful analysis of all realistic angles, and options to ensure that every step is taken at the appropriate time to ensure that the client's interests are best promoted and secured.
Legal 500 2026 -
The team offers a professional service. All of the members of the team I have dealt with have been knowledgeable and committed to getting the best result for the client.
Legal 500 2026 -
The care taken by the team is remarkable and reassuring for clients.
Legal 500 2026 -
An efficient team performing at a high level.
Legal 500 2026 -
A wonderful team who offer pragmatic advice whilst robustly defending the interests of their clients.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans family law department is very dynamic. Being part of a larger firm means that they are able to draw on the expertise of other departments in the firm, which can be extremely helpful.
Legal 500 2025 -
Highly specialised family law team with a breadth of experience.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team at Weightmans is well known and respected in the family law market... They approach complex family law matters in a straightforward manner that is focused on resolution for their clients.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team is made up of extremely capable individuals dealing with complex and high-net-worth work. They are all technically very sound and work in a collaborative way with other lawyers.
Legal 500 2025 -
Weightmans have expanded hugely their family law capacity which is testament to their aspirations within this space... Experience, reputation and depth all add to the overall approach.
Legal 500 2025 -
The family team are totally focused on assisting clients to identify their immediate needs as well as helping them to gain clarity around the future. They take a family focused view and work on the assumption that court action should be avoided if at all possible by working collaboratively with other solicitors.
Legal 500 2025 -
The team provided fantastic communication and sound advice throughout the process. All possible outcomes and costs were set out at the beginning - they couldn’t have been more helpful.
Chambers 2025 -
The team showed total professional attention to detail and gave me inspiration to continue even when things seemed unsurmountable.
Chambers 2025 -
They couldn’t be more efficient and nothing is ever too much trouble for them.
Chambers 2025 -
Clients get what they pay for at Weightmans in that the preparation is meticulous. They are so good at looking after the client and making sure that everything is where it needs to be.
Chambers 2025 -
The lawyers are very experienced with knowledge encompassing a broad range of family law issues. They are adept at dealing with cross-border disputes and I would rate them as very strong in this area.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans is very up to speed in the latest legal trends and has good connections with the legal profession.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans has technically competent lawyers with a focus on solutions and the team is very pleasant to deal with, which benefits their clients.
Chambers 2025 -
Weightmans is efficient, experienced and professional. The team has an excellent range of experiences and ability, and they provide immediate responses.
Chambers 2025
Our family law services
How often is child support reviewed?
Assessments made by the Child Maintenance Service are reviewed annually and other processes are in place if either parent seeks a variation/review or to challenge information provided.
What do I do if I can’t afford child support?
Seek immediate legal advice from a family lawyer about a variation/review by the Child Maintenance Service or, if a court order is in place, to vary the terms of the order. You may be able to apply to the CMS for a lower assessment.
What happens if the paying parent earns more than £156,000 gross each year?
You should seek expert advice from a family lawyer to ascertain whether your case is suitable to seek a ‘top up’ order, i.e. a higher amount than that assessed by the Child Maintenance Service. You will usually need to secure a maximum assessment from the CMS before applying to court.
What do I do if the paying parent lives or works abroad?
If they work abroad for certain British organisations, for example:
▪ as a civil servant
▪ as a member of the armed forces
▪ for a company based and registered in the UK
You may be able to apply via the Child Maintenance Service. Otherwise, you may need to obtain an order from the court and seek to enforce it overseas.
What happens if the primary caregiving parent lives abroad?
You should seek expert legal advice, including in the jurisdiction in which they reside.
Frequently asked questions
About Fiona:
Fiona heads the Liverpool family law team and manages the renowned national family team at Weightmans across our offices. She specialises in financial and children law issues arising out of relationship breakdown with particular expertise in complex divorces involving company, partnership and trust issues.How to calculate child support — frequently asked questions
Our comprehensive guide offers an understanding of child support, including calculation methods, with a focus on your needs and concerns.
Read More
