Children

Sometimes children have bad thoughts and feelings about themselves when their parents split up. They think that somehow they must be to blame for their mum and dad’s separation.

Our youngest son (18) recently left home to move to another city. Things haven’t been good between me and my husband for a while (i.e. five years or more), but having time to talk about things properly has made it clear neither of our hearts are really in this anymore.

Much as you may not want to argue within sight or sound of your children, it can happen. Separation is a difficult time for everyone.

Parents now pay an average of over £6,600 per year, for just a part-time nursery place, so it takes up a large chunk of the family budget. In areas like London, costs can be much higher. It’s essential to budget carefully for your childcare costs and claim all the help that’s available.

Help with childcare costs is available from the government and employers - from Tax-Free Childcare to free childcare. Working families may get £2,000 per child each year towards childcare with Tax-Free Childcare. This article takes you through of the options available to you.

Paying or receiving spousal maintenance can be difficult for both parties. It means having to re-think your household budget, while trying to get to grips with your new circumstances. This article and links will help you work out how any changes in income, new relationships and other events might impact maintenance payments.

If you and your ex-partner have children, you’re both expected to continue to pay towards their costs after you separate. And often that means one parent will pay the other. You can agree this between you or, if you can’t agree, ask the Child Maintenance Service to calculate the amount. This article and links take you through the options.

Choosing the right childcare can be a daunting task. This article takes you through the different options - think about which ones suit your family’s needs and budget best.

Your separation may not go as smoothly as either you or your ex had planned, expected or wished. Money matters in particular are often an area of dispute.

If you have children, both parents are expected to pay towards the cost of bringing them up until they’re at least 16. There are several ways you can arrange child maintenance. This article looks at the options available to you.

Any money or savings in your child’s name belong to them and not to you or your ex-partner. But you may need to notify the bank, building society or the government about changes to your circumstances. This article and links look at the different options.

Separating from your partner may mean that you need to take out extra life insurance or to change or draw up a new will. Find out what you can do to make sure any dependants, such as children, are financially protected.

Many people who’ve separated say separation is worse than death because when someone dies you can have a funeral and say goodbye. When you separate, you experience the death of your 'couple relationship' and yet there are no obvious rituals like a funeral to help you. This can make things hard to move on.

When you’ve separated from your husband, wife or civil partner, you may have to take out extra life insurance or change your will or get a new one. Find out the steps you can take to make sure your family is protected.

Even though your child may have grown up and in many ways be independent, inside your adult son or daughter is a child watching their mum and dad separate.

Most children do come to terms with their parents’ separation and adjust to changes in family life. But it can take months or even years. You and your child's other parent may discover different needs from your child at different times.

As you become a separated co-parent, you’ll have many decisions to make, now and in the future. This can seem daunting.