Child Maintenance UK 2026 - How Much Should You Pay or Receive?

When parents separate, child maintenance ensures children continue to be financially supported by both parents. Understanding how child maintenance works helps you plan effectively and ensures your children's needs are met.

This guide from MCR Solicitors explains how child maintenance is calculated in the UK, your options for arranging payments, and what to do if problems arise.

What is Child Maintenance?

Child maintenance is regular financial support for a child's everyday living costs, paid by the parent who doesn't live with the child (the 'paying parent') to the parent who does (the 'receiving parent').

It's meant to cover:

• Food and clothing
• Housing costs
• Education expenses
• General living costs

Three Ways to Arrange Child Maintenance

1. Family-Based Arrangement

You agree directly with the other parent how much will be paid. This is:

• Free - No charges from CMS
• Flexible - Can include non-cash support
• Cooperative - Shows you can work together

However, it's not legally enforceable unless made into a court order.

2. Child Maintenance Service (CMS)

The government's Child Maintenance Service can:

• Calculate how much should be paid
• Collect and pass on payments (Collect and Pay)
• Enforce payments if they're not made

There are fees involved:

• Application fee: £20
• Collect and Pay: 20% added to paying parent's bill; 4% deducted from receiving parent's payment
• Direct Pay: No ongoing fees (CMS calculates, parents arrange payments directly)

3. Consent Order (Court)

Your family-based arrangement can be made into a court order, making it legally enforceable. This is often included in a divorce financial settlement.

How is Child Maintenance Calculated?

The CMS uses a formula based on the paying parent's gross income:

Reductions for Shared Care

If the paying parent has the child overnight regularly:

• 52-103 nights/year: 1/7 reduction
• 104-155 nights/year: 2/7 reduction
• 156-174 nights/year: 3/7 reduction
• 175+ nights/year: 50% reduction plus £7/week per child

Reductions for Other Children

If the paying parent has other children in their household, the calculation is adjusted to account for them.

Example Calculations

Example 1: Basic Case

• Gross income: £30,000/year (£577/week)
• One child, no shared care
• Maintenance: £577 x 12% = £69/week (£300/month)

Example 2: With Shared Care

• Gross income: £40,000/year (£769/week)
• Two children, 104 nights shared care
• Basic: £769 x 16% = £123/week
• Less 2/7 reduction: £123 - £35 = £88/week (£381/month)

What if Income is Over £156,000?

The CMS only calculates maintenance on income up to £156,000/year (£3,000/week). For higher earners, you can apply to court for 'top-up' maintenance under Schedule 1 of the Children Act.

What if They Won't Pay?

If the paying parent doesn't pay, the CMS can:

• Deductions from earnings - Money taken from wages
• Deductions from bank accounts
• Enforcement action through courts including:
• Bailiffs collecting goods
• Disqualifying them from driving
• Imprisonment (in extreme cases)

For private arrangements, you'd need to go to court to enforce a consent order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much child maintenance should a father pay UK?

This depends on income, not gender. Based on the father's gross income: 12% for one child, 16% for two children, 19% for three or more. Shared care time and other children reduce the amount.

How do I use the child maintenance calculator?

The government's online calculator (gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance) asks for the paying parent's income, number of children, nights of shared care, and other children. It gives an estimate of weekly payments.

Can I get child maintenance if we were never married?

Yes - child maintenance applies to all children regardless of whether parents were married. Both parents have a legal duty to financially support their children.

Does child maintenance cover school fees?

Standard child maintenance covers everyday costs. School fees are considered 'extras' and aren't automatically included. You can agree school fees privately or apply to court in high-income cases.

What age does child maintenance stop?

Usually when the child turns 16, or 20 if they're in full-time education (not higher than A-levels). It can continue longer by private agreement.

Can child maintenance be backdated?

CMS can only collect from the date of application - it's not backdated. So apply promptly if payments have stopped. Court-ordered maintenance can sometimes be backdated.

What if they're self-employed?

Self-employed income is based on tax returns or accounts. If you believe they're hiding income, CMS can investigate. The court has powers to look behind self-employed accounts in some cases.

Can child maintenance be included in divorce?

Yes - you can agree child maintenance as part of your divorce settlement and include it in a consent order. This gives legal enforceability beyond what CMS offers.

Private Arrangements vs CMS

Advantages of Private Arrangements

• No fees
• More flexible
• Can include extras (school trips, clothes, activities)
• Less confrontational

Advantages of Using CMS

• Calculation is standardised
• Enforcement powers if they don't pay
• Don't need to communicate with ex
• Regular, predictable payments

Many people start with private arrangements and move to CMS if payments become unreliable.

How MCR Solicitors Can Help

We can assist with:

• Advising on appropriate maintenance levels
• Drafting consent orders including child maintenance
• Applying to court for top-up maintenance
• Advising on CMS options
• Varying existing orders

Ensure Your Children Are Supported

Children deserve financial support from both parents. If you need help understanding your child maintenance options, contact MCR Solicitors.

Phone: 0161 466 1280

Address: First Floor, 1024 Stockport Road, Manchester M19 3WX

Free initial consultation available.