The Questionnaire has been online for two weeks, and we have received about 2200 comprehensive responses. There are some interesting trends so far: more than 40% of respondents are aged between 36 and 45, and about the same percentage of respondents receive money through the Child Support program. There are roughly equal numbers of responses from men and women. We have compiled some of the responses about the ease or challenges in negotiating child support arrangements. This question has prompted a wide range of responses— single word answers are presented in the word cloud, followed by longer responses.

Some responses suggest negotiation can work

• It was easy and mutual
• Quite smooth
• A few arguments but reasonably easy considering
• We have been lucky we can be amicable and do it with a private treaty
• No problem. We both behaved amicably
• We made an agreement and kept to it
• Fairly easy, as our child is older
• Fairly straight forward, as we separated amicably
• Relatively easy due to maintaining a good relationship with my ex

Others indicate serious challenges

• Extremely difficult 
• Every step was a challenge
• Too much to write in such a small space but it can only be described as a nightmare
• Sometimes good and sometimes very bad 
• The worst experience in my entire life
• It has been a battle for 8 years as circumstances have changed over time
• Discussing issues with emotions running high
• There has been no ease in arranging child support, it has taken many phone calls, arguments & tears to arrange anything
• We both decided that we would do what was best for the boys so, despite the hurt and pain, we treated each other with civility
• Difficult as both sides have different ideas of what is fair
• Money is a battlefield. It's a source of anxiety and tension for both parties, whether due to fear or anger. It has become a prime source of revenge for both parties

For some people, negotiation has changed over time

• In the early times it was very difficult. Given the passage of time it has improved and decision was for opt out of CS collection to private with great success.
• Initially difficult but since going through the child support it is a bit easier

And some responses report that negotiation is impossible

• No communication and other party not willing to negotiate
• No communication at all, no negotiations at all, no compromise at all
• It does not work
• Negotiation is impossible
• I have given up

Thanks to everyone who has completed the Questionnaire. We will publish further snapshots online in coming months.

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