Parents who do not live with their minor children have a legal duty to help support their children while they are growing up. So when two people have a child together - regardless of whether they ever married or lived together – they are both responsible for paying for that child's upbringing. In many cases, this can be agreed amicably between the parents at the time their relationship ends. Child maintenance means regular financial support paid from one parent to the resident parent, for all children up to the age of 16, or the age of 20 if they remain in full-time education in order to sit A-levels or equivalent. That's the basic legal position. Unfortunately, not every parent will agree to support their children. In some cases, our expert family lawyers can help you negotiate and draft a child maintenance agreement. Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online today and we will call you.