Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Guide
Understanding Child Maintenance, Financial Support & Family Responsibilities
Child maintenance is financial support that helps towards the everyday costs of raising a child when parents are separated.
The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is a government service that helps parents:
- Arrange child maintenance payments
- Calculate payment amounts
- Manage payments between parents
- Resolve payment disputes
- Enforce unpaid maintenance where necessary
The aim of child maintenance is to help ensure children continue receiving financial support from both parents wherever appropriate.
What Is Child Maintenance?
Child maintenance is money paid by one parent to another to help support a child’s living costs.
It may help towards:
- Food and clothing
- Housing costs
- School items
- Utilities and household expenses
- Child activities and general wellbeing
Child maintenance is separate from:
- Child arrangements
- Contact with children
- Family court proceedings
Parents are encouraged to focus on the needs and wellbeing of the child.
What Is the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)?
The Child Maintenance Service is the government body responsible for:
- Calculating maintenance payments
- Managing child maintenance cases
- Collecting and transferring payments where necessary
- Enforcing unpaid child maintenance
CMS usually deals with cases involving:
- Parents living separately
- Children under 16 (or under 20 in approved education/training)
- Parents living in the UK
Family-Based Arrangements
Parents are encouraged, where possible and safe, to agree child maintenance arrangements between themselves without formal CMS involvement.
A family-based arrangement is a private agreement between parents regarding:
- Payment amounts
- Frequency of payments
- Additional support for children
These arrangements can provide:
- Flexibility
- Reduced conflict
- Better communication
- Faster agreements
However, family-based arrangements may not be suitable in all circumstances, especially where:
- There is conflict or abuse
- Communication is difficult
- Payments are inconsistent
- There are safeguarding concerns
How CMS Calculates Child Maintenance
CMS calculations are usually based on:
- The paying parent’s income
- Number of children involved
- Shared care arrangements
- Other children supported by the paying parent
The amount may change depending on:
- Changes in income
- Employment status
- Living arrangements
- Care arrangements for children
Parents should keep CMS informed about important changes in circumstances.
Shared Care & Parenting Arrangements
Child maintenance and child contact are separate legal matters.
Even where parents share care arrangements, maintenance may still apply depending on:
- Number of nights children stay with each parent
- Income differences
- Overall care arrangements
Parents are encouraged to:
- Keep communication child-focused
- Avoid involving children in financial disputes
- Reduce conflict around maintenance issues
Children benefit most when financial disagreements are managed calmly and responsibly.
Paying & Receiving Maintenance
CMS offers different payment options:
Direct Pay
Parents arrange payments directly between themselves after CMS calculates the amount.
Collect & Pay
CMS collects payments from the paying parent and transfers them to the receiving parent.
Additional fees may apply for Collect & Pay services.
What Happens if Payments Are Not Made?
If payments are missed, CMS may take enforcement action.
This can include:
- Deducting money directly from wages
- Taking money from bank accounts
- Court enforcement action
- Bailiff action
- Driving licence disqualification
- Passport disqualification
- Prison in serious cases
CMS enforcement powers are designed to ensure children receive financial support where legally required.
Self-Employment & Complex Income
Some child maintenance cases may involve:
- Self-employment
- Variable income
- Hidden income concerns
- Company director earnings
- Benefits or non-standard income
Additional assessments or investigations may sometimes be required.
Abuse & Safety Concerns
Parents experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control may find communication around finances difficult or unsafe.
Abuse may include:
- Financial control
- Threats or intimidation
- Harassment
- Emotional abuse
- Coercive behaviour
Parents should not feel pressured into unsafe communication arrangements.
Support and safeguarding services are available where abuse concerns exist.
If there is immediate danger, call 999.
Child Maintenance & Family Court
Family courts and CMS usually deal with separate issues:
- CMS manages child maintenance calculations and payments
- Family courts deal with child arrangements and other legal disputes
However, financial issues may sometimes affect:
- Family conflict
- Housing stability
- Child wellbeing
- Safeguarding concerns
Parents are encouraged to focus on stability and the needs of children wherever possible.
Emotional Impact on Families
Financial disputes can affect:
- Stress levels
- Co-parenting relationships
- Mental health
- Family communication
- Children’s emotional wellbeing
Children should never:
- Be used in financial disputes
- Carry messages between parents
- Feel responsible for financial problems
- Be exposed to ongoing conflict over money
Reducing conflict can help improve outcomes for children.
Support & Guidance Services
Child Maintenance Information
- GOV.UK – Child Maintenance Service
- GOV.UK – Calculate Child Maintenance
- GOV.UK – Child Maintenance Options
Family & Parenting Support
Mediation & Communication Support
Legal & Financial Advice
Final Message
Child maintenance is intended to support the wellbeing, care, and stability of children following separation or family change.
Where possible, calm communication and child-focused arrangements can help reduce conflict and support healthier co-parenting relationships. When difficulties arise, support services and legal guidance are available to help families move forward safely and fairly.