Child support obligations

Both parents owe maintenance to their child in proportion to their means and to the needs of the child, irrespective of whether the parents are or have been married to each other.

Where the child lives with one parent, the other parent shall contribute by periodic payments fixed by agreement approved by the court or, failing agreement, by the court. As a guideline the court applies a rate of one quarter of net income for one child, one third for two children, and one half for three or more children.

A maintenance order may be varied at any time on proof of a material change in the means of either parent or in the needs of the child. Arrears of maintenance may be recovered by attachment of earnings.

The obligation continues until the child attains majority and, where the child is in full-time education, until the completion of that education.