Schedule 1 Applications: Child Support After Separation | Wace Morgan

Separated but not married? Discover how a Schedule 1 application can help secure housing, school fees, and support for your child’s future. Wace Morgan can help.

When a relationship comes to an end, making sure that children are properly supported is one of the most important considerations. For parents who were not married or in a civil partnership, this can raise questions about what financial help is available and how to access it.

One option that is often overlooked is a Schedule 1 application under the Children Act 1989. This is a legal route designed to ensure financial provision for children where divorce or dissolution processes do not apply. For advice on divorce click here.

What is a Schedule 1 Application?

A Schedule 1 application allows one parent, or another person caring for a child, to ask the court to make financial orders for the benefit of that child. These applications are most commonly used by unmarried parents who are not eligible to make financial claims through divorce proceedings.

What Can the Court Order?

Under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989, the court has the power to make a range of financial orders. These include:

• Lump sum payments: These can be used to cover specific needs, such as school fees, medical costs, or the purchase of essential items.
• Transfer or settlement of property: The court can order that a property be provided to house the child. This is usually on a temporary basis until the child reaches adulthood.
• Regular maintenance payments: While ongoing child maintenance is usually dealt with by the Child Maintenance Service, the court can make top-up orders in cases where the non-resident parent has a high income (over £156,000 gross per year) , or where the Child Maintenance Service does not have jurisdiction (for example, if the parent lives abroad).

It is important to note that any financial provision made under Schedule 1 is intended for the benefit of the child, and not the parent making the application. However, it often has a direct impact on the parent who is caring for the child on a day-to-day basis.

Who Can Make a Schedule 1 Application?

You may be eligible to make a Schedule 1 application if:

• You are the parent or legal guardian of a child under the age of eighteen.
• The child is still in education or undergoing training for employment.
• The other parent is not providing adequate financial support.
• You were not married or in a civil partnership with the other parent, and are therefore not entitled to financial remedies through divorce or dissolution proceedings.

Schedule 1 applications are especially useful in cases where the financial needs of the child go beyond what is typically covered by standard child maintenance arrangements.

How Our Solicitors Can Help

The family law team at Wace Morgan in Shrewsbury, understand the emotional and practical difficulties arising from separation and adjusting to co-parenting. We provide tailored, practical advice to help you protect your child’s future.

We can assist with:

• Assessing whether a Schedule 1 application is right for you.
• Advice and assistance with the process.
• Advising on alternative options for Non Court Dispute Resolution, where appropriate.
• Representing you in court proceedings when needed.

Contact Us

If you would like to find out more about Schedule 1 applications or need advice following the breakdown of a relationship, please get in touch for a confidential conversation with our family law experts in Shrewsbury.

We are here to help you secure a fair and practical outcome for your child’s future.