Updates
Updates
News on the things that affect separated dads, changes to the law and the family court, and to this site.
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New school year, two homes: make sure the school has you on the list
The start of term is the moment to sort out how your child's school communicates with you as a separated dad. A quick, practical checklist for staying in the loop.
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Panorama put the Child Maintenance Service on trial, and both sides recognised it
A BBC Panorama investigation into the Child Maintenance Service aired in August 2026. It was uncomfortable viewing for paying and receiving parents alike. Here is what it showed and what to take from it.
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The consultation on cohabitation and divorce finances has now closed
The government's "A fairer end to relationships" consultation closed on 14 August 2026. Here is what happens next, and why nothing has changed yet.
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If an "expert" is assessing your family, they now have to be properly regulated
New Family Procedure Rules from July 2026 require experts in many children's cases to be properly regulated. Here is why that matters if a psychologist or assessor is ever appointed in your case.
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Direct Pay is being scrapped, and the CMS plans a 2% fee
The government plans to scrap free Direct Pay and charge a 2% Child Maintenance Service fee on both parents from 2027-28. Here is what it means for you.
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Keeping a child abroad after a holiday is set to become a crime
A new law will make it a criminal offence to keep a child abroad after an agreed trip, not just to take them without consent. With the summer holidays here, this is what it means and what to do before any trip abroad.
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Social media is being banned for under-16s from spring 2027
The government has announced that under-16s will be blocked from social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat from spring 2027. Messaging apps like WhatsApp are not included, so keeping in touch with your kids is not affected. Here is what is confirmed.
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The two-child benefit limit has been scrapped, check you are getting it
From 6 April 2026 the two-child limit on Universal Credit was removed, so the child element is now paid for every child. If you have three or more children, check your claim.
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If you weren't married, the rules on splitting up may be about to change
The government is consulting on giving unmarried couples financial rights when they separate, and on reforming divorce finances. Here is what is proposed, and how to have your say before 14 August 2026.
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There's £500 towards mediation, and it's just been confirmed for another year
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is confirmed for 2026-27. You can get up to £500 towards mediation about your children, it is not means-tested, and most families who use it settle without court.
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Family courts are going "child focused" across England and Wales
The Pathfinder family court model is being renamed Child Focused Courts and rolled out across England and Wales, after a pilot that cut delays sharply. Here is what it means for you.
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What scrapping the "presumption of parental involvement" actually means
A Bill going through Parliament would remove the presumption that involving both parents furthers a child's welfare. Here is the calm, accurate version, what it changes and what it does not.
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What the announced child maintenance changes could mean
The government has announced that the threshold for recalculating child maintenance when income changes will drop from 25% to 15%. A wider review of how the amount is calculated has been dropped, and removing Direct Pay is still pending. Here is the plain-English version.
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