Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin fields question about child maintenance delays from concerned St John’s Rural South resident
The government is implementing a new system to address significant delays in child maintenance payments at the family court, following complaints from mothers who were unable to access funds despite fathers making timely payments.
The issue was raised by a mother during Thursday night’s town hall meeting in St John’s Rural South, explaining that money paid into the court system was taking an excessive amount of time to be processed and distributed to mothers at the collection court.
The woman, who has two autistic children requiring levels three and four care, said the delays were creating hardship for families depending on the maintenance payments.
Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin told the meeting that Permanent Secretary Hildred Simpson had investigated the matter after receiving multiple complaints from affected mothers.
“The permanent secretary, Mrs Simpson, looked into the matter and she has spoken with the registrar, the deputy registrar, who is responsible for the family court,” Sir Steadroy said. “They are now establishing a system where monies are sent immediately, no longer than 24 hours from the high court, down to the court where you can collect your funds.”
The Attorney General said the issue had affected numerous mothers who believed fathers were not making timely payments, only to discover the money had been paid but was stuck in processing.
If fathers are paying on time, there should be zero excuse for funds not reaching mothers. This shouldn’t even be an issue
How the hell does this system work? When the payments come in shouldn’t it just go straight to the mothers or fathers (yes there are delinquent mothers too) account?
I’ve never had this problem before my onlii issue is why do u have to go up to high court to write your name down then have to go down to family court a day or two after
We hear systems being established all the time. Let’s see if by next month mothers really collecting within 24 hours.
Plenty mothers been crying out about this for years. The fathers paying and the money just sitting down somewhere? That not right. If man pay today, mother must get it tomorrow. Simple.
Every time it takes a town hall meeting for things to move. Why it couldn’t be 24 hours from long time? These are children we talking about.