Understanding how aliment (financial support) is calculated in Scotland

At XK Family Law Solicitors Aberdeen, we often help clients understand how much aliment they can claim or may have to pay. Aliment is ongoing financial support between family members – usually after separation, divorce, or when caring for children.

Here’s a breakdown of how the court decides how much aliment should be awarded, and how things can change over time.

⚖️ What Does the Court Consider?

When setting the amount of aliment, the court looks at three key things:

1️⃣ The Needs and Resources of Both Sides

• How much each person earns (income).
• What they own (property, savings).
• Their regular living expenses.

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2️⃣ Earning Capacity

• Can either person earn more in future?
• Is one parent working part-time to care for children?
• Has someone lost income due to illness or redundancy?

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3️⃣ All the Circumstances of the Case

This can include:

• 🏡 Whether the person paying has other dependants (like a new partner’s child).
• 🚫 But: The court won’t look at anyone’s behaviour (e.g., infidelity) unless it would be unfair not to.

👨‍👩‍👧 Multiple People Owing Support?

If more than one person owes aliment (for example, a biological father and a step-parent), the court won’t divide responsibility formally. However, it can consider the contributions and obligations of others when deciding how much one person should pay.

👶 Extra Help for the Child’s Carer

If you are caring for a child under 16, the court can also order the paying parent to cover extra costs, like:

• 🛒 Food and household costs.
• 🧼 Childcare.
• 🚌 Travel for school or contact.
• 👕 Clothing.

✅ These additional expenses can be included in the aliment payment if they are reasonable in the circumstances.

🧾 Need to Adjust Payments Later?

Circumstances can change – jobs are lost, incomes change, families grow. You can ask the court to review and vary the amount of aliment based on new circumstances.

At XK Family Law Solicitors Aberdeen, we help clients with:

• Applying for or defending aliment claims.
• Adjusting amounts when situations change.
• Claiming additional costs related to caring for a child.
• Advising on multiple family obligations and shared financial responsibilities.

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📞 Contact Aberdeen’s Family Law Experts

Need to apply for aliment or have questions about how much should be paid?

✅ Clear advice
✅ Local expertise
✅ Fixed fees available

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