You are here: Home » Family law finance » Private school fees after divorce Our people About us Careers Blog Call local rate 0330 404 8393 Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm Contact us Home Divorce Financial Matters Child Law Unmarried Couples Domestic Abuse Offices Private school fees after divorce Request Free Callback Submit your details, and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation callback at a time to suit you. Please note that we cannot offer Legal aid. Name* Surname* Tel* Email* Select location... Closest Office* Enquiry Details* Callback time options Disputes about school fees are common when couples considering private education go their separate ways or those with children already there split up. So, what options do you have if you find yourself in this situation? Who should pay for school fees after a divorce, and how can you reach a fair decision? Call our expert team today 0330 056 3171 or request a call back Who pays school fees after divorce? The family court has the power to make an order for a parent to pay or contribute towards school fees. Where the parents are married, that power comes from the Matrimonial Causes Act. Agreements made between the parents, before or after separation, can be a decisive factor. The court will consider how the child is currently or was expected to be educated in making a decision. If the child is not being educated privately, it is far more likely that a court will make a school fees order if there is a clear agreement that the child will attend an independent school. How to arrange school fees & child maintenance - need to know Alternative dispute resolution & court order for school fees Even if this fails, you can still turn to ADR (alternative dispute resolution), including mediation, arbitration and collaborative law. This is where you agree on a third party who can help you decide your case. Deciding on the kind of ADR you choose, the third party’s decision can be binding or non-binding. If these options do not work for you, you may have to consider settling the matter in the family court. However, this process can be time-consuming and expensive, so it is best to avoid it where possible. Does child maintenance cover school fees? No. Unless you specifically agree to a family-based arrangement, your divorce settlement/child maintenance will not account for private school fees. If your spouse is claiming that it does, contact a family lawyer for more information. Contact Stowe’s local divorce lawyers today We specialise in divorce and divorce finances at Stowe and have extensive experience dealing with issues concerning private school fees. We have divorce lawyers in offices throughout the UK, including London, Birmingham, York, Bristol, Manchester, Nottingham, and Leeds, along with towns including Harrogate, Wilmslow, Beverley, Ilkley, Wetherby, and Winchester. If you’re interested in learning more, contact us today at 0330 056 3171, fill in our online contact form, or learn more about us today. Trustpilot Contact us We remain open for business during the COVID-19 outbreak. Submit your details below, and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation call back at a time to suit you. To ensure we are the right fit, we need to make you aware that we cannot offer Legal aid. 0330 056 3171 Name* Surname* Tel* Email* Select location... Closest Office* Enquiry Details* Callback time options Related Information Finance Divorce finances About us Careers Newsletter signup Stowe talks Break-up Clubs Divorce Directory Client login Follow us: Stowe Family Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA ref 469401. Stowe Family Law LLP is registered with Companies House, ref. OC331570, and registered for VAT, number 918 5722 04. Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes. Terms of Use Privacy Policy & Data Protection Cookie Policy Complaints Policy Sitemap Copyright © 2021 · Stowe Family Law LLP This site uses cookies: Find out more. Okay, thank you