Helping navigate Child Support issues with confidence, providing advice and support with clear options and next steps for fair workable arrangements.
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Child support assessments and formulas
Explaining how the Child Support Agency calculates assessments and what information can affect the amount payable.
Change of assessment applications
Assistance with seeking a change where the assessment does not reflect real income, special expenses or care arrangements.
Private child support agreements
Drafting and advising on limited and binding child support agreements, including pros, cons and implementation.
Interaction with parenting arrangements
Clarifying how time with each parent affects child support, and options if care arrangements change.
Adult children and ongoing support
Advice about support for children finishing school, tertiary study or with additional needs, where appropriate.
Enforcement and unpaid child support
Guidance on enforcement options for unpaid child support, including agency processes and, in some cases, court action.
Understanding child support
Child support is meant to help meet children’s day to day costs, but the rules and formulas can feel confusing and unfair.
At Bedrock Legal Group / BRLG, we focus on practical arrangements that reflect real life, not just paperwork. We explain how assessments are calculated, how care percentages and income are treated, and what options exist if the assessment does not fit your situation.
We can assist with Child Support Agency processes, change of assessment applications and private child support agreements. Throughout, our aim is to help you understand your rights and obligations, avoid unnecessary conflict and put in place arrangements that are sustainable for your children and for you
Making sense of child support.
Child support often sits at the intersection of parenting arrangements, income, benefits and everyday expenses. Small changes in care percentages or earnings can significantly affect the amount payable or received. Our first step is to understand your family situation, current or proposed care arrangements and financial circumstances. We then explain how the Child Support Agency assessment works, including key concepts such as taxable income, percentage of care, self support amounts and multi case situations.
If the standard assessment does not reflect your reality, for example because of private school fees, health needs, travel costs or income patterns, we can advise whether a change of assessment application is appropriate and help you prepare the evidence and submissions. We can also assist with limited and binding child support agreements, which may provide greater certainty or flexibility, and with reviewing older agreements that no longer fit your circumstances. Where there are arrears or non-payment issues, we explain enforcement options through the Agency and, in some cases, the Courts.
Throughout, we focus on child focused, workable arrangements that balance the children’s needs with each parent’s capacity to pay, aiming to reduce disputes and support cooperative co-parenting where possible.
Our goal is to give you clear information and a manageable plan, so child support becomes one part of the picture, not the constant focus of conflict.
Explanation of how child support assessments are calculated.
Advice on when a change of assessment may be worthwhile.
Assistance drafting or reviewing private child support agreements.
Guidance on links between care arrangements and child support.
Options for dealing with unpaid or overdue child support.
Focus on sustainable, child focused financial arrangements.
Your Bedrock Team
Meet the team behind Bedrock Legal Group / BRLG. When things feel uncertain, you don’t have to handle it alone. We’re committed to guiding you through each step, so you feel supported, informed, and in control from start to finish.
Brendan Rothschild
Principal Solicitor
Jessica Szylkrot
Practice Manager
Rebecca Rothschild
Business Support Manager
Pavani Weeratunge
Solicitor
Michael Brkic
Solicitor
Tiffany Vainer
Solicitor
Jananie Munasinghe
Solicitor
Thomas Arrigo
Solicitor
Damian Van Gaans
Graduate Lawyer
Chloe Ziola
Bookkeeper
Ellen Creagan
Bookkeeper
Frequently Asked Questions
How is child support calculated?
The Child Support Agency generally uses both parents’ taxable incomes and the percentage of care for each child. We’ll explain the formula and what information is most important in your case.
Can we agree on our own child support amount?
Often yes. You may be able to enter a limited or binding child support agreement. We can advise on the options, risks and how to formalise any agreement properly.
What if the assessment does not seem fair?
You may be able to seek a change of assessment, particularly where there are special expenses, unusual income patterns or other relevant circumstances. We’ll discuss prospects and required evidence.
Does child support change if care arrangements change?
Usually yes. Changes in nights or care percentages can affect child support. We can explain likely impacts and help update assessments or agreements if arrangements change over time.
How can I deal with unpaid child support?
Options may include Agency enforcement, private recovery or, in some cases, court proceedings. We’ll go through proportionate steps, so you understand the costs, risks and potential outcomes before acting.
Languages
We assist clients from diverse backgrounds and can provide support in multiple languages,
including through interpreters where required.
