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I have been divorced since 2000 and have been making monthly payments into my ex-wife Building Society to support my son. My son has now reached his 18th birthday and left 6th Form college to begin University I stopped the Standing Order for the maintenance payments after the July payment had gone through. My ex-wife has now contacted her solicitor, who has sent me a letter requesting that I re-instate these payments. She also threatened to contact the CSA if her request is not met. I need confirmation that I am acting correctly. I was under the impression that I was obliged to make these payments until my son had reached the age of 17, or until he left full-time education, and that payment until 19 years would only be required if he were to continue studying at college (i.e study at lower than ‘A’ level).

November 27, 2008 by Anonymous

I am afraid that as your son is attending university this is taken as still undertaking full-time education. However the financial situation will have radically changed as presumably he will be living away from home and will be receiving student grants/loans.

In an ideal world it would be possible to discuss and agree the variation which must follow these changes to the maintenance you will pay. Sadly it would appear that this is impossible with your former wife. The only alternative can be an application to the court for downward variation of the existing order. Whether or not this will succeed must depend upon your income, your former wife's income, and the income and needs of your son.