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How a private arrangement can work
A private arrangement is where you and your ex-partner decide between yourselves how much child maintenance should be paid. This means you don’t need to involve other people in the decision.
What are the benefits of a private arrangement?
- A private arrangement can help keep the goodwill and trust between parents.
- You are both in control of the arrangement and can keep your decisions independent and private.
- It can be more straightforward and quicker than involving solicitors, mediators, the courts or the CSA.
- It does not cost anything to set up.
- You can apply to make your agreement legally enforceable or to use our services at any time.
What are the disadvantages?
- There is no guarantee that your ex-partner will keep to the agreement
- Even if it is written down, a private agreement isn’t generally legally enforceable.
- Changes in your and your ex-partner’s lives can be upsetting to both you and your children. This may mean that you find it difficult to continue with the arrangements you’ve made.
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Related information
- Read our leaflet
"What is child maintenance and how does it affect me?" [PDF 246Kb]
