Are you getting the money you’re entitled to as a divorcee? Child maintenance is the payment most people know about. However, according to government figures, almost a third of parents are missing out on these payments. The most recent report on child maintenance was released in March 2025. Covering the period up to December 2024, it shows that only 68% of parents were receiving “some maintenance.”
People Don’t Always Pay
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Of those paying, 46% were paying more than 90% of their financial obligation. That means 22% were paying less than 90% of what they owed in child maintenance. The government introduced reforms at the end of 2024 to tackle the problem. It’s unclear how effective these reforms will be, but the current situation demonstrates the problem couples often have when it comes to financial obligations.
Indeed, if parents aren’t supporting their children financially, what hope is there for spouses seeking maintenance? Although the data isn’t as well defined, research suggests that spousal payment rates among divorced couples are even worse than those related to child maintenance. The problem stems from the fact that, unless ordered by a court, spousal payments, unlike child maintenance, aren’t mandatory. Therefore, unless one partner is financially dependent on the other, payments are based on an agreement.
Most Couples Don’t Have Payment Plans
Research published by the University of Bristol, in collaboration with the Nuffield Foundation, found that most couples don’t have an agreement in place. According to Emma Hitchings, Professor of Family Law at the University of Bristol Law School, the national average for spousal maintenance agreements was 19%. London was the standout region with 41% of divorced couples having agreements in place. In contrast, only 13% of divorcees in the South West had agreements.
The lack of agreements comes back to the old adage that knowledge is power. Either people are unaware or unwilling to strike a deal with their former partner. As noted by the legal experts at Reiss Edwards, mediation keeps the costs associated with spousal maintenance to a minimum. Couples that reach an agreement don’t have to apply for a court order, which costs time and money.
Knowledge Makes Agreements More Likely
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One of the most effective ways to reach an agreement is to understand your obligations. As noted by Reiss Edwards, courts may order spousal maintenance payments if someone “cannot fully financially provide for themselves without support from their ex-partner”. As a couple, you must decide whether you can live financially independent lives.
Although child maintenance payments are a separate issue, they have a bearing on your decision. Willing parents want their children to grow up in a nice environment. Therefore, you may want to consider the cost of maintaining the family home. Travel, either to foreign countries or day trips to places such as London [2], may also come into the equation if you want an ex-partner to live a fulfilled life.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
The point here is that agreements require careful thought about how much of a financial commitment you want to have in someone’s life. Do you want to provide the bare minimum in terms of living costs? Do you want to help your ex (and possibly your children) maintain a certain standard of living?
These are tricky questions to answer, which is why it’s often wise to work with solicitors. They can offer advice and streamline the mediation process so you avoid the hassle of going to court. Moreover, they can help ensure both parties reach an agreement they’re happy with and people get what they’re entitled to.
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