Home › What is child maintenance? › Things to think about for separating couples
Issues for separating couples
Things you might need to think about
When your relationship breaks up, there are a lot of things you might need to think about. Some of them will change, others won't. Some of them will be urgent, but you might feel other things can wait till later. Here are the main issues that many parents said they needed to think about:
Your money
- Deciding and agreeing child maintenance payments.
- What happens to your finances, including your savings, pensions and any benefits.
- Sorting out any joint bank accounts and setting up new ones.
- Making arrangements to pay your rent or mortgage.
The law
- What legal advice is available to you, including advice about parental responsibility and court orders.
- Getting divorced, separated or dissolving your civil partnership.
- Your children's legal rights.
Your work
- Arranging childcare.
- Informing your employer about your situation.
- Looking for work, continuing or starting adult education, and finding funding to support training.
Your home
- What to do with your home, your bills and your belongings.
Your children
- Who your children will live with, and how both parents can still have contact with them.
- What legal rights your children have about who they live with, changing their name and making other decisions.
- Your children's health, including vaccination, treatment and psychological issues.
- Telling your children's school about your situation or choosing a new school.
Your health
- Your health, including stress, disabilities and bereavement.
There are a number of people and organisations you should tell about your change in situation. See our checklist: who to tell about the change in your life for more guidance.
Related information
- Read our leaflet
"What is child maintenance and how does it affect me?" [PDF 246Kb]
