VIC What are My Family Law Rights?

[Jazzy]

Hi, my partner and I have just split up.

I have always been a full-time working mum. My hours involve split shifts and nights so it's difficult.

My ex-partner's work history is not that great. He has taken full custody of children for our child. I've only allowed it due to my work hours. What are my family law rights?

I've been supporting this family alone for 4 years. Also, how do I find out how much child support I will have to pay and can I pay it in a different form? Eg. School fees, etc

 

[Sophea]

Your rights with regard to custody are essentially what you decide between you and your ex or if you can't decide what the court orders. You also have the option of doing child support arrangements privately also - so you can agree to pay it as school fees.

This is info on how Human Services calculate child support:
Working out child support payments using the basic formula - Australian Government Department of Human Services

 

[sammy01]

You can pay child support to a third party (school, for example), but only if your partner agrees. But if the kid is in private school, it is also possible that you would be expected to pay half of the fees as well as child support.