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There are lots of answers to this question ranging from the legal to the moral response, but any response should have at the heart of it your child’s welfare and wellbeing.
It is a legal responsibility
Firstly, all parents have a legal responsibility to provide financial assistance towards the costs of raising their children. It is a responsibility that goes hand in hand with providing emotional, psychological, social and physical support to your child.
It is a moral responsibility
More importantly parents have a moral responsibility to contributing financial support. Sadly some parents do not have the opportunity to spend time with their children or as much time with their children as they would like. However regardless of the arrangement or if it is as a result of parental conflict that is preventing contact, children still need supporting. The financial costs of raising a child do not disappear because of the absence of one or other of the parents.
The impact of withholding financial support
Withholding financial support can impact on the quality of your child/ren’s lives and prevent them from accessing opportunities that may contribute to their social development and welfare. In extreme circumstances children’s access to food, accommodation, basic necessities along with their sense of security and stability can be compromised when one parent refuses to meet their financial responsibilities as a parent.
When a parent withholds financial support, usually the people that are hurt and impacted the most are their children, the ones they love the most.
Mediation can help
If you are in parental conflict with your ex-partner and you are not spending time with your children, it is a good idea to continue to pay the child support due whilst you work through the issues with your ex. Family mediation can help you with this process and at Experienced Mediators we are specialists in supporting and working with parents through this process. We assist with preparing parenting agreements, parenting plans and consent orders and keep a focus on family relationships maintaining, improving and repairing them.
If you or someone you know needs help to navigate through family mediation or would like more information, please contact Latoya Percival or Anna Oxford via our website www.xpmediators.com
