Child maintenance in Trinidad and Tobago
Learn what child maintenance is, examples of costs it may cover, who may apply, and how the application process begins.
Read the guideTrinidad and Tobago family support guide
Family Court, child access, custody and maintenance in Trinidad and Tobago
Start with reliable, official information when you need help understanding family-court services, parenting access, custody, care and control, child maintenance or mediation.
This guide provides general information and links to independent official services. It is not legal advice, does not interpret a court order and cannot tell you what outcome applies to your family.
Official sources reviewed 18 September 2026. Next review due 18 March 2027.
Focused guides
Start with a specific question
Each guide summarizes official public information and links directly to the sources for the latest requirements.
Co-parenting and family support in Trinidad and Tobago
Learn about the Government Co-Parenting Programme, community mediation, parenting support and how to contact the relevant services.
Read the guideCommon local terms
Understand the language you may encounter
These plain-language summaries add practical context to terms used by Trinidad and Tobago courts and public services. They do not replace the wording of an agreement or court order.
Family Court
What matters can the Family Court handle?
The Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago deals with family matters including legal custody and access, maintenance, divorce, domestic violence, property settlement and wardship. It is a court service, not simply a source of general parenting advice.
What this may involve
- Starting or responding to court proceedings and applying to vary an existing order.
- Obtaining copies of orders and making court-ordered maintenance payments through CourtPay.
- Court-connected services may include family mediation, psychosocial enquiries, assessments, counselling and court-ordered DNA testing.
Legal custody
What does legal custody mean in Trinidad and Tobago?
Legal custody concerns the legal arrangements made for a child. Trinidad and Tobago law allows a court to make orders about legal custody and access while considering the child’s welfare and the conduct and wishes of the people involved.
What this may involve
- An order may identify who has legal custody and may address another person’s right of access.
- The exact authority and responsibilities created by an order depend on its wording and the circumstances of the case.
- Legal custody should not be assumed to mean equal parenting time or a particular living schedule.
Care and control or living arrangements
What does care and control mean?
Care and control is commonly associated with the child’s day-to-day care and where the child ordinarily lives. Official material also discusses physical custody, access and living arrangements as matters a parenting plan may address.
What this may involve
- Regular routines, school-day care, handovers and the child’s main living arrangements may need to be recorded clearly.
- A parent or guardian with custody, care and control may apply for child maintenance.
- If an order uses this term, rely on the order itself and obtain qualified advice about its effect.
Access
What does access mean in Trinidad and Tobago?
Access generally concerns arrangements for a child to spend time or maintain contact with a parent or another person. A court may make an access order, and access disputes may also be discussed through community or family mediation.
What this may involve
- Practical arrangements may cover regular days and times, holidays, collection and return, transport and remote contact.
- The wording of an existing order or agreement should guide the parties; an informal change does not rewrite a court order.
- Where access is disputed, unclear or raises safety concerns, use an official service or obtain qualified legal advice.
Child maintenance
Who can apply for child maintenance, and what can it cover?
Child maintenance is payment towards a child’s day-to-day living costs and general upkeep. Parents have a duty to maintain their children regardless of marital or union status.
What this may involve
- A parent or guardian with custody, care and control may apply for child maintenance.
- Relevant child-related costs may include food, clothing, shelter, education, healthcare, childcare, transport and extracurricular activities.
- The amount, evidence required, payment method and enforcement depend on the application or order; Zuko does not calculate a legal maintenance amount.
Family or community mediation
Can mediation help with access, custody or maintenance?
Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps people discuss a dispute and try to reach a mutually acceptable resolution. Government community mediation services include family disputes involving access, custody and maintenance.
What this may involve
- The parties—not the mediator—control whether they reach an agreement and what they agree to.
- Community mediation is described as private and confidential; sessions are not recorded or transcribed.
- Agreeing to mediate does not remove the right to use a more formal process if mediation does not resolve the dispute.
Government Co-Parenting Programme
Is there a programme for parents raising children after separation?
The Community Mediation Services Division offers a Co-Parenting Programme to help separated parents and guardians develop practical skills for raising children across households. Programme availability, intake and schedules can vary, so contact a mediation centre before attending.
What this may involve
- The programme addresses separation and emotions, communication, the effect of conflict on children, access or visitation, consistency, maintenance and co-parenting agreements.
- In Trinidad, contact the Community Mediation Services Division on +1 868 225 4267 or [email protected] and ask about the next programme cycle or the nearest participating centre.
- In Tobago, contact the Community Mediation Unit on +1 868 798 5805 or [email protected] and ask about its parenting and co-parenting workshops.
- A centre can explain the current intake or screening process and whether mediation, social-work support or the Co-Parenting Programme is the appropriate service.
Parenting plan
What should a parenting plan include?
A parenting plan records practical arrangements for raising a child across households. Government co-parenting guidance identifies living arrangements, finances, decision-making and parent-to-parent communication as key areas to consider.
What this may involve
- Living arrangements may include physical care, access and the child’s routine between homes.
- Decision-making may include school, healthcare, religion, discipline, transport and activities.
- A practical parenting plan is not automatically the same as a court order; obtain advice if it must be legally enforceable or must reflect an existing order.
Official information
Where can I get official help with a family matter?
Use these official Trinidad and Tobago sources for current information, forms, contact details and professional support.
Family Court of Trinidad and Tobago
Information about Family Court services and family matters including custody and access, child maintenance, divorce and family mediation.
Visit official websiteUnderstanding Child Maintenance
An official Judiciary resource for people seeking general information about child maintenance and the application process.
Visit official websiteCommunity Mediation Services Division and Co-Parenting Programme
Government information about mediation, social-work support and the Co-Parenting Programme. Contact +1 868 225 4267 or [email protected] to ask about current intake and programme dates in Trinidad.
Visit official websiteCommunity Mediation Unit — Tobago
Tobago family mediation and co-parenting support. Contact +1 868 798 5805 or [email protected] for current access information.
Visit official websiteCourt locations and contact information
Current Judiciary contact information for court locations and Virtual Access Customer Centres across Trinidad and Tobago.
Visit official websitePractical preparation
What should I prepare before contacting a court, mediator or professional?
The right information depends on the service and your circumstances. These general preparation steps can make a conversation with an official service or qualified professional easier.
- Write down the questions you need answered and the outcome you are seeking information about.
- Keep copies of any existing court order, written agreement or relevant official correspondence.
- Organize important dates, parenting schedules, proposed changes and missed or completed arrangements.
- Keep clear records of relevant child-related expenses, receipts and payments when maintenance or shared costs are involved.
- Use official contact details and confirm what documents the service requires before attending or submitting anything.