It has recently been in the news about the change from the CSA (Children Support Agency) To CMEC (Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission). However the CSA will still be the agency in charge of collecting maintenance from absent parents until 2011.

From 2009 until 2013 CMEC will be phasing in their role.

The biggest changes to the child maintenance collection system will be how maintenance is collected and how maintenance payments are enforced against an absent parent.

Maintenance calculations changes 2011

Based on gross pay of the absent parent.

This works in 2 parts.

Part 1- weekly income between 200-800 pounds

1 Child  12%
2 Children  16%
3 Children or more 19%

Part 2- income above 800 pounds per week
 
1 Child  9%
2 Children  12%
3 Children or more 15%

A re-assessment of the maintenance will only be done if the absent parent’s income has changed by 25%.  Currently an absent parent can ask for a re-assessment at anytime.

During this period of transition there will be different options open to separated parents and different child maintenance calculations being used. Namely, those made after 1991; after 2003 the % calculation was introduced and voluntary agreements.

After 2013 it is envisaged that all absent parents will have either have made a voluntary agreement OR have had a calculation under CMEC completed.

Enforcement methods are the other big change - these are being introduced in 2009 - 2010.

These include

1. To request financial papers from court proceedings are disclosed.
2. To investigate someone's financial means on a request to vary an order via credit checks etc.
3. Deduction of earnings a primary source of collection.
4. Direct money from bank account
5. Lump sums can be taken- but only on arrears
6. Liability orders- with no court involvement needed.
7. Disqualifying someone from a passport AND/OR driving licence.
8. Curfew orders= via Magistrates Courts.

CMEC will have powers they can use without the need of the Court's involvement, which previously was the case.

If you wish to discuss this issue further, please call our family department on 01553 660033

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