Child Maintenance Payments: An Overview

Originally written by Chris Nickson, updated by the editorial team on 2nd April 2026

The end of a relationship with your partner is never the end where children are involved. Of course, you want to be a part of the lives of your kids, to see them and spend time with them. You also have a responsibility to give them financial support when they don't live with you.

If you're trying to work out a fair figure between yourselves, you can get an accurate estimate using our free Child Maintenance Calculator.

Arranging Financial Support

There are four real ways to pay your ex maintenance for your children.

You can work out a figure between the two of you – obviously the best way
Make an arrangement through mediation
Have an agreement between your solicitors
It can be calculated by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS)

CMS

The first three methods are obviously better, since they rely on agreement rather than acrimony and bureaucracy.

Child Maintenance Service

The CMS can help calculate the level of maintenance you should pay for your children, and ensure you pay it. The amount set depends on a number of factors, but it boils down to three basic things – your gross income, how many children you'll be paying maintenance for, and how many children are living with you. The Child Support Agency was replaced with the Child Maintenance Service in 2012. The CSA is now closed.

Child Maintenance Calculator

Find out how much child maintenance you should pay or receive. Takes less than a minute.

Try our Child Maintenance Calculator free, here on this site →

Basic Rates

You'll find that certain circumstances can reduce the amount of maintenance you pay. If you're paying the mortgage on the home where the children and your ex live, for instance, that can reduce maintenance payments, as can the fact that you pay school fees for your children, or if you transferred capital or property to your ex before 1993 as part of what's called a "clean break" settlement.

Additionally, if your children stay overnight with you during the week, this will lessen the amount of maintenance you have to pay. If it's one night a week, for example, the reduction will be 1/7th, and this can rise to ½ if the children spend half the year with you.

Reduced Rates

You might be making a net income of less than £200 a week, but still more than £100. That qualifies you to pay maintenance at a reduced rate. The calculations can be fairly complex, so using the CMS calculator is the most straightforward way to assess what you have to pay.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Flat Rate

If you make less than £100 a week, or you're on benefits, you'll play a flat rate of maintenance of £7 per week (which can be deducted from your benefits). Also, if you're living with someone who collects Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance, you play the flat rate.

Paying No Maintenance

There are situations where you can have Parental Responsibility but not have to pay maintenance for your children. However, this only occurs if you're a full-time student, or aged 16-19 and in full-time advanced education, or if you're living in a nursing home and receiving help to pay the fees.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Child Maintenance Calculator lets you find out how much child maintenance you should pay or receive. Takes less than a minute. Try it now →

Showing 20 of 738 questions

Ask Separated Dads a Question

SeparatedDads Editor 21/05/2026 at 9:18 am

@Archimedes Unfortunately, paying the mortgage on your ex's home doesn't reduce your Child Maintenance Service liability. The CMS calculation is based purely on your gross income, nights of care, and any other children you support. Mortgage payments, even on a property your kids live in, aren't deductible. Your best bet is to either come to a family-based arrangement with your ex that factors it in, or speak to a solicitor about formalising the housing contribution as part of a wider financial settlement.

Archimedes 20/11/2023 at 3:46 pm

Hi,

I've recently seperated from my wife and pay for the full joint mortgage. Still am.

I had a letter from child support and they have quoted me a flat figure for the two children's maintenance costs.

As I am paying both mine and my exes mortgage, does this entitle me for a reduction in the overall CSM cost? (offset for covering her mortgage costs). Thanks

YT 18/10/2023 at 11:07 am

I’m in need of some advice, I’ve got 2 kids aged 14 and 11, with a previous partner. we havent had an arrangement for child maintenance , though I have been paying my share of mortgage in the house where my kids and ex partner lives. I have been paying for groceries and household bills amounting to £900 per month. I am renting somewhere for the past 2 years and I am paying rent and all bills as it were. My income has changed and I cannot afford to pay what I have been paying for. It's been over 2 years since we split up. I've got a new partner and a one month old baby. The money is getting tight...

I know it will be hard to work out a figure between myself and ex partner because there are already tensions and many demands for more money. I would like to consider child support agency to help us with child maintenance calculations.

My question is, If I continue paying my Mortgage share for the house where my ex partner and children live in, will that reduce my child maintenance? Also, I still pay for my child's school meals, private tutor and other bills such as gas and tv.

My income is avaraging £500 per week at the moment. Please help on how to solve this.

Rick 05/10/2023 at 12:07 am

Hello
For some reason my child maintenance payment has increased by £40 extra per month. The reason for this is unknown to me, and I have another child living with me. I should also mention I will be moving home soon early next year with a mortgage to pay for which should affect my child maintenance outgoings. My income has not changed but my outgoings have increased. I think it is unfair for child maintenance to increase the monthly payments despite having another child living with me which I did tell them about months ago! I have done some research and it says I can apply for a variation as I have to travel by car to and from to pick up then drop off my daughter. I need your advice on what I should do next.

Ambrose 15/08/2023 at 7:10 pm

Hi, I have recently split with my partner and she is making it difficult to see my son. Having him overnight. We are both paying childminder for when we are both at work. I have a feeling she will start asking me for child maintenance soon. If I pay child maintenance, does this work towards childminder fees? Or are they separate? Thanks.

Andy 23/09/2021 at 6:52 pm

I’m in need of some advice, I’ve got 2 kids with a previous partner we have a arrangement for child maintenance not through the csa never missed a payment in 6 years since we split up, I’ve got a new partner and she’s now 4 months pregnant and money is getting tight when can I reduce my payment to my ex for the new baby?

Mick 15/08/2021 at 7:30 pm

Hi, my ex recently took me through CSA which I am happy to do but when I completed the travel expenses form my ex has told me I can no longer pick up my child and that my mum has to because she will get less money from me. As I will pay my mum petrol money can I still claim travel expenses? Also because my ex isn’t happy that I applied for the travel expenses she’s now saying my child can’t stay at my house and that I have to stay at my mums house when I have her, this is a tactic by my ex because she thinks I will have to pay her more money through CSA as my child is not actually staying at my house. As Im now sleeping at my mums house with my child will I have to pay her more csa? Or does it still count as me having her? My ex is very crafty and is using my child to get as much money as she can out of me.

Pf217 06/08/2021 at 3:30 pm

Hi. In our marriage bills were shared but I paid for most other things. Ex worked 4/7 and refused to work 5 days. When splitting I had been diagnosed with depression and had recently been concussed. She continually verbally threatened (assaulted me twice but I didn't go to Police as didn't want to upset kids) me as well as threatening that I'd get around 25-35% of house value if I didn't agree her terms. So she ended up with house paying me only £65k (her share was £85k. She emailed to say due to this she'd never claim CM as she already got the CBenefit putting her on even money to me. Now she wants CM too at around £340 p/m. Im now in debt recovery trying to pay solicitor and moving costs etc, still have depression and someone said that may be a factor in the CM payments, but DWP didn't want to know. Anyone help in this? Many thanks

Troubil 30/07/2021 at 4:49 am

@s78 do you have a link to the legislation that states if you are in full time education that you do not have to pay CMS

Mark 03/06/2021 at 5:50 pm

Hi

If I have a seperate mortgage for myself, nothing involving my ex or children, does my child maintenace repayments reduce or am I still expected to pay in full in regards to my annual gross income?

Damo 03/06/2021 at 7:58 am

Hi,
My daughter has turned 18 and is currently doing 2 A levels at college, not full time education.

DO i still need to pay child support?

Thanks
Damo

AJ 10/05/2021 at 8:12 am

Hi where do i start , I was with my ex for 10 years and i married her for 4. she had a little boy that his own father was only paying £100 a month. to cover him. but had no contact what so ever. I took on the role at Dad and in the end adopted him. We then had a baby of our own and life seemed perfect. Disney world every other year, bought a house got married within 5 years. We then split up and then a divorce was filed. Now comes to evil twisted mind of her. I told her I would pay for the mortgage every month till she buys the house off me and then ill pay her directly in to her bank for the kids. this wasn't good enough and she took me to CSA. I'm now left paying the mortgage, and now CSA are taking my wage. I have my ids every other weekend and every Wednesday, I take my youngest to football 3 times a week and pay for his playing kit and boots. What drives me mad is Everything I have done to be a father to our oldest when his own father walked away. feels like she has seen me coming and made sure that she gets everything out of me. I'm a fair and honest guy and the last 2 years I've been paying this. I cant move out of my parents home and start a life of my own because of how much I'm paying out. the divorce is still with the solicitor's because she is not getting back to her solicitor's. she is supposed to be buying the family home off me but cant get a mortgage. and I'm left to pay CSA and the MORTGAGE . The Stress this is putting on me is unreal.

Andrew 30/03/2021 at 10:40 am

Hi all I’m so confused with child maintenance payments I earn 82k basic and 7k car allowance I pay 12500 k per year into the company pension I have two kids who stay 3 to 4 nights per week how much should I be paying ? Thanks you

Ddeeee 29/03/2021 at 6:12 pm

I am a single parent and have a daughter who is not with me in UK. I recently had a baby with my a lady here in uk. She has been a bully since I declined to marry because that wasn't on the table when we started dating. She went to CMS and set up direct debit with my employer and have been milking me dry. CMS assessed my annual earnings to be 38k whereas I'm actually earning 21k. They keep taking £521.75 from my payroll. I have forwarded my payslips to them for a reassessment but they are not responding to my messages.
Note: I had an agreed amount that I have been paying to this lady before she contacted the CMS.
CMS also refused to recognise my daughter, who's not with me in UK.
Can someone kindly give me advice on what to do.
Ddeeeee

Paul Roberts 26/03/2021 at 9:02 pm

My stepdaughter and partner have slipt up he has moved out he pays the mortgage but she paying all the bills and has a 2 year old he won't pay nothing to his daughter

The stripper 20/01/2021 at 8:04 pm

My ex is an abuser and cannot accept I do not love him , in the past he has beaten me and broken into my home etc , he should be in jail . He walked out of his police job and got sacked so he did not have to pay up , he pays £7 a week for two kids and nearly 3 years of £7 a week , harassing me and abuse , he also never has then overnight and stalks me . God I hate men .

Rafman 20/01/2021 at 1:27 am

I'm paying an ex child maintenance each week but I am also paying loans and debts that are half my exes bills !! Can I have her half taken from her payments ??

Zennon 28/12/2020 at 10:33 pm

Cm are taking 50% of my wage I know they are only legally to take 40% but when I call to talk to my case worker in the last 2 weeks I’ve been cut off or hung up on after being on hold for at least an hour.
You just can’t talk to these people so they don’t care if you have a family or pregnant wife they just want there money that they think you should pay who can afford to pay in excess of £1400 a month which CM take 24% of each payment as a process fee. if I don’t pay I’ve been threatened with a jail sentence.
So I’ve tried for 24 years to deal with this shower of crooks so ltd company and move to an eu country to get them off my back try take my money now.
I have set up bank account in my kids names CM money is for the children not the mother good luck to all dads as they are worse than dealing with loan sharks ????

Edwin 02/11/2020 at 7:38 pm

Hi,

I need help and legal advice. Just few days ago I received a letter from Child Maintenance Enforcement Service (CMES) which stated that they have frozen £3899.42 in my bank account, to recover unpaid child maintenance of £7583.78.
The issues here is firstly I am a full time student and I have an agreement in place to pay £30.42 by standing order (monthly) to my children mother and the record would show that I have kept to this agreement till present. The second issue is the frozen £3899.42 is my student loan payments, which I also use to support my children (child support payments). I feel that they have breach my human rights, bullied, intimidating and put my name and character in a negative light. They have totally stressed me out. I am trying to fight this case and to put forward a formal complaint against this organisation for their unfair actions against me. Could you help me with some legal advice and how to go about fighting this case. I appreciate your time. I await your reply.

Regards

Edwin Williams

Phil132 28/10/2020 at 11:50 am

Hi.

I bought a small terraced house by myself 10 years ago which I rented out ever since I bought it. I now want to sell the house to my brother which will mean after deductions etc I will receive £45k. He wants to pay me back monthly of £1000/month and we are arranging all this via solicitors.

I met my ex (we never married) 6 years ago and we have a child together who is now 3. We split up 2 years ago and now I am wondering if this will affect any child maintenence payments? I have paid CM ever since we have split. My and my ex have never lived in this rental nor has she ever contributed to anything as I bought it years before I met her. Sorry if I've included irrelevant information but just thought as much info I can provide the better.
Thanks in advance.

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