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When parents get back together
After separation, both you and the other parent may have experienced a wide range of emotions-anger, sadness, loss-and if you reconcile, you may experience more-relief, doubt, caution, happiness. It can be a time of mixed emotions for your children too.
Do I need to tell the Child Support Agency about us reconciling?
Yes. You need to advise CSA immediately if you and the other parent reconcile and ask for your assessment to be ended, or you can complete a 'Notice to end an assessment' form online.
If you don't tell CSA immediately your child support assessment won't end. The monthly child support liability will continue and the other parent will still have to pay child support. Payments will also continue if the paying parent has an automatic deduction out of their salary.
What if the paying parent still owes money?
If you have reconciled and there is a child support debt, you need to elect whether to have the debt collected or not. If you receive more than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit, a decision to not collect arrears may affect your FTB payments. You should contact the Family Assistance Office.
Do I need to tell the Family Assistance Office about us reconciling?
If you are receiving a payment through the Family Assistance Office, the change to your family circumstances may affect the type and amount of the payment you receive. Call the Family Assistance Office.
Do I need to tell the Family Court of Australia about us reconciling?
If you are in the middle of any procedures with the court, such as an application for maintenance, division of property, or spousal maintenance, you need to notify the court to stop the proceedings.
If you have a court order for spousal maintenance or child support and you reconcile, you need to obtain another court order to cancel the original one. Contact the Family Court of Australia if this applies to you.
If your court order is registered with CSA, you can ask CSA to stop collecting payments. You will then be required to advise the court and have your order for maintenance stopped.
Reconciliation and my family
The Community Services Directory lists a variety of organisations providing information, guidance and support to parents at all stages of their relationship, including getting back together again.
