as the others said, it's law. it's not something that can be changed based on someone wanting to - if you have an issue, go to your local member. in the mean time, you have to understand that the parent with "higher needs" for it doesn't necessarily go on annual income. there are a lot of factors taken into account that are dealt with by a local consultant. as has been said, generally it's first in best dressed HOWEVER, it can be appealled as you need to be the PRIMARY carer. when it comes down to it, given you're both having 50/50 care, neither of you is primary carer....