SINGLE parent families will be penalised by new rules on child maintenance payments says the head of litigation at FDR Law.

Stephen Lawson, a member of the Law Society’s Civil Justice Committee, gave the warning as new regulations mean the majority of single parents making a new application to the Child Maintenance Service will have to pay a £20 application fee.

He said: “Brought in by the Department for Works and Pensions, these rules are designed to make people take responsibility for their own finances. Parents can avoid administration charges by making private agreements and paying every instalment on time.”

Parents can avoid being charged an administration fee by making their own private agreements.

If the parent can set up direct pay arrangements to their former partner, they will not be charged an administration fee.

For further information contact Stephen at the Palmyra Street South office at stephen.lawson@fdrlaw.co.uk.