I have paid maintenance for my son since the day he was born. When the CMS came into being I had to make my payments through them. I have been told that I can stop paying towards his upkeep when he reaches the age of 18 if I wish, which will be in six months’ time. Is this correct?
While your son is in full-time education (ie until he has completed his A-levels) you will have to continue paying. Note that some government youth training schemes are also regarded as “full-time education” for CMS purposes. If your son is leaving school next year your last maintenance payment will be at the end of the summer holidays. After this it would still be possible for a child to apply to the court for further maintenance to study at college or university however.