Suspension of child support liability on reconciliation 277-03110000

This document outlines the process for suspending child support liabilities for reconciled parents.

Suspension of child support liability on reconciliation

The suspension of child support liabilities provides flexibility to parents who reconcile. When Child Support becomes aware that parents have reconciled, the child support liability can be suspended for a 6 month period. If the parents separate again within that period, the assessment will be reinstated without the need for a new application for assessment. If the parents remain reconciled after 6 months, this will be a terminating event and the case will be ended.

If a non-parent carer has at least 35% care of a child, and the parents of that child reconcile, the child support liability will not be suspended. The parents will still be required to pay child support to the non-parent carer.

This process only applies when parents reconcile on or after 1 July 2008.

For customers who reconciled prior to 1 July 2008, and who are still reconciled, the receiving parent can make an election to end the assessment by following the process in Ending a Child Support assessment. Prior to 1 July 2008, reconciliation was not a terminating event and the case will therefore remain active if the receiving parent does not make an election to end. Where a reconciliation occurred prior to 1 July 2008, there will be no suspension period. Resources has examples of pre 1 July 2008 reconciliations.

The Resources page contains links to letters and a form relating to the suspension of child support liability on reconciliation. It also contains examples of how to manage reconciliations that occurred prior to 1 July 2008.

Operational Information

Suspension of child support liability on reconciliation 277-03110000

Suspension of child support liability on reconciliation

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