Child Support
Child support can feel complicated, especially when assessments don’t reflect your family’s real circumstances. At Wallen Family Law, our family lawyers in Wollongong, the Illawarra, St George and greater South Sydney provide clear advice on your rights and obligations, whether you’re paying or receiving support.
We assist with child support assessments, applications to change assessments, and the preparation of fixed-fee Binding Child Support Agreements that can include extra costs like school fees, medical expenses or extracurricular activities. Every family is different, and our goal is to help you reach a fair, practical arrangement that works for your children’s needs.
How We Can Help
We provide advice and representation across all areas of child support, including:
-
Child support is generally calculated by Services Australia using a formula that considers each parent’s income, the number of children, and the percentage of care each parent provides.
We explain how the formula works and what it means for your situation.
-
Some families prefer to reach private agreements — either limited child support agreements or binding child support agreements — instead of relying solely on Services Australia assessments.
We prepare and review these agreements to ensure they are legally valid and protect your long-term interests.
-
If your circumstances change — for example, due to reduced income, special needs of a child, or significant expenses — it may be possible to change an assessment. We guide you through the review and objection process to achieve a fairer outcome.
-
When child support isn’t paid, it can create financial stress and uncertainty. We help you explore enforcement options through Services Australia or the courts to secure the support your children are entitled to.
-
Child support can become more complex where parents own businesses, have trusts, or receive irregular income. With our background in both family and commercial law, we untangle these issues to ensure assessments and agreements reflect the true financial circumstances.
Common Questions About Child Support
-
Services Australia uses a formula based on each parent’s income, number of children, and percentage of care. We can help you understand how this applies to your circumstances.
-
Yes. Parents can enter into private agreements (limited or binding) that may provide more flexibility than the standard assessment.
-
There are enforcement options through Services Australia and the courts. We can advise on the most effective pathway for your situation.
-
Child support assessments can be adjusted to reflect actual financial resources. We provide tailored advice for complex income cases.
Next Steps
If you need help with child support — whether it’s understanding your obligations, negotiating an agreement, or enforcing unpaid support — we’re here to guide you.
Book a free 15-minute consultation today to discuss your situation with us.
You may also find these links helpful:
Child support often forms part of broader Parenting & Custody and Property Settlement discussions.
If your co-parenting situation involves conflict or emotional abuse, our article Navigating Divorce with a Narcissist may offer helpful insight.
Our team can assist with both Fixed Fee child support advice and Legal Aid family law matters.