Child Support: a Practitioner's Guide

Part 1 The framework of the Act: definitions and principles; jurisdiction of the Child Support Agency and the courts and related matters; the administrative structure. Part 2 Powers of Child Support Officers and the Secretary of State: applications for maintenance assessments, multiple applications and interim maintenance assessments; provision and disclosure of information; collection of maintenance and enforcement; arrears, interest on arrears and adjustment of child maintenance; notifications and reviews of assessments; beginning and end of maintenance assessments and maintenance periods; reduced benefit directions. Part 3 The formula - mechanics and applications: the maintenance requirement and the general rule; the basic element and the additional element; assessable income; protected and disposable income; housing costs; special cases. Part 4 The Act at work: concerns of clients and practitioners; jurisdiction changes from 1993; the Appeals Procedure - Child Support Appeal Tribunals; the Appeals Procedure - Child Support Commissioners representation of clients; questions and answers.