Assumption: "The other parent verbally agreed to pay half the nursery fees but is now refusing. Can I enforce that?"
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
A verbal agreement to share childcare costs is as good as a formal one and can be enforced in the same way.
Court Reality
In practice, verbal agreements about childcare costs are often not enforceable unless they are formalized in a court order, for example a consent order in divorce proceedings or an order under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 where the court has power. A child arrangements order cannot deal with money. The Child Maintenance Service typically addresses regular maintenance but does not enforce additional costs like nursery fees, which should be documented to be recognized by the court.
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The Gap?
"The other parent verbally agreed to pay half the nursery fees but is now refusing. Can I enforce that?"
Court Reality
In practice, verbal agreements about childcare costs are often not enforceable unless they are formalized in a court order, for example a consent order in divorce proceedings or an order under Schedule 1 Children Act 1989 where the court has power. A child arrangements order cannot deal with money. The Child Maintenance Service typically addresses regular maintenance but does not enforce additional costs like nursery fees, which should be documented to be recognized by the court.
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