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Child Support Act 1991

Exemptions - Outline and definitions

89A: Outline

You could also call this:

"This part explains when you don't have to pay child support"

This part of the law explains when you can be excused from paying child support. You might not have to pay if:

You're in the hospital for a long time and don't earn much money.

You're sick for a long time and don't earn much money.

You're in prison for a long time and don't earn much money.

You're a parent who owes child support but you're younger than 16 years old and don't earn much money.

You've been a victim of a sex offence. In this case, it doesn't matter how much money you earn.

The government can also make decisions about these excuses, except for victims of sex offences.

Remember, this is just a simple explanation of what this part of the law is about.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM254716.

Topics:
Family and relationships > Children and parenting
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89: Notification by Commissioner to other payers and payees, or

"Commissioner tells people about child support payments and their rights"

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89B: Definitions for this Part, or

"Words you need to know for this part of the child support law"

Part 5AExemptions
Outline and definitions

89AOutline

  1. This Part provides for exemptions from the payment of financial support in the following cases:

  2. for hospital patients, in respect of periods of long-term hospitalisation, if certain income criteria are met:
    1. for persons suffering from long-term periods of illness, if certain income criteria are met:
      1. for prisoners, in respect of periods of long-term imprisonment, if certain income criteria are met:
        1. for liable parents under the age of 16 years, if certain income criteria are met:
          1. for victims of sex offences, regardless of income.

            1. This Part also allows the Commissioner to make determinations in relation to exemptions granted under this Act (except exemptions for victims of sex offences).

            2. This section is intended only as a guide to the general scheme and effect of this Part.

            Notes
            • Section 89A: inserted, on , by section 17(1) of the Child Support Amendment Act 2006 (2006 No 42).
            • Section 89A(1)(aa): inserted, on , by section 22 of the Child Support Amendment Act 2021 (2021 No 6).