Home > Negotiation > Child maintenance: What am I paying for?

Child maintenance: What am I paying for?

By: Abigail Taylor - Updated: 18 Apr 2025 | comments*Discuss
 
Child Maintenance Payment Cms Cms

What is child maintenance?

Child maintenance is financial support paid from one parent to another to assist with a child's everyday living costs.

It is paid in respect of:
  • Children under 16 years
  • Children under 20 years and in full time education, up to A level or equivalent
  • Children under 20 years and living with a parent who is registered to receive child benefit for them

Child maintenance is by its nature often paid under difficult circumstances, following the end of a relationship. However it is important to remember that it is not designed to punish parents without full time care. It is simply a way to ensure that both parents contribute towards the cost of raising a child; one of the responsibilities of being a parent.

How is child maintenance decided?

Parents can choose to agree a child maintenance sum and frequency of payment themselves. This is commonly called a 'family-based arrangement'.

The Child Maintenance Service encourages parents to try to agree a child maintenance figure between them. If you need assistance with this, you can speak to Child Maintenance Options:

  • 0800 0835130
  • Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm
  • Saturday, 9am - 4pm

If you can't agree (and have already tried speaking to Child Maintenance Options) you can apply to the Child Maintenance Service. They can assist with:

  • Locating the other parent
  • Sorting out parentage disputes
  • Calculating the payable sum
  • Collecting and passing on payments
  • Re-assessing the payable sum when changes in circumstances occur (eg redundancy)
  • Taking enforcement action if payments aren't made

If the matter is more complex (for example one party lives outside the UK, or the child's living/care expenses are likely to be higher due to significant disability), then either party can apply to the courts.

Note: If you apply to the court in respect of child maintenance (and no other issue), legal aid is not available. However if you are considering apply to the court, you can still get free independent legal help from Citizens Advice Bureau.

How much will I have to pay?

If you have a family-based arrangement, then you can agree any amount between you. If you apply to the Child Maintenance Service, they use a more complex calculation based upon annual gross income and expenses. They have an online calculator which you can use as a guide: www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance Note that the Child Maintenance Service will also charge a £20 application fee, a collection fee (if paid to them to pass on), and enforcement charges for delayed payments.

What does child maintenance pay for?

Child maintenance is designed to pay for a child's needs, for example food, clothing, and housing. It is however a nominal sum - ie the receiver does not have to submit receipts or justify what they spend the money on.

'I pay child maintenance to my ex, but she just spends it on booze and her nails. It's meant to be for the kids. How is that fair?'

It may not be fair. Unfortunately as she doesn't have to justify what the money is spent on, there is little you can do. Social services will only get involved if the child / children are being neglected.

What about other expenses?

If you have part-time overnight care of your child/children, then the amount of child maintenance you pay (if the Child Maintenance Service have calculated it) will be reduced accordingly. For example: John looks after his 2 children overnight 1 night a week. His child maintenance payment sum will therefore be reduced by 1/7th. If you are paying less money due to the overnight care, then it is likely that your ex-partner will expect you to pay for any day-to-day basics that the children may need whilst with you (for example food and nappies).

If the is dispute re who pays for what when you have care of the children, perhaps consider mediation to resolve this. If each party's expectations are managed, conflict / arguments are less likely.

'I pay child maintenance to my ex-partner. However she now wants me to pay additional sums for school trips and uniform on top of that sum. Can I refuse?'

Yes, you are not obliged to pay anything more than your child maintenance sum. I would however encourage you to consider any requests on a case by case basis. Ultimately the money is to pay for your child and so you may want to pay a little extra on one-off occasions so that your child doesn't go without. If you are worried about your ex just pocketing the money, consider arranging to pay the school direct or giving your ex a cheque made payable to the school so only they can cash it.

Help is available.

If you are having difficulty agreeing child maintenance sums, or disputes arise re other items, you can seek help from any of the following:

  • Citizens Advice Bureau
  • Child Maintenance Options
  • Any local family law solicitor (Note: Legal Aid may not be available)

Business Energy With a Difference

If you are looking for business energy or need advanced solutions like remote energy monitoring, new supplies, downgrading or upgrading capacity, have a no obligation chat with Purely Energy.

To find our more get in touch here. or call 0161 521 3400.

Next Page
You might also like...
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice..
[Add a Comment]
The Struggles of Single Fathers in the UK’s Family Court System The UK family court system is meant to ensure fair and balanced parenting, yet for many single fathers, the reality is vastly different. Instead of promoting equality, the system often favour's mothers, making it incredibly difficult for fathers to maintain meaningful relationships with their children. I have personally endured a gruelling six-month battle in the High Court just to secure a shared care agreement, after the children's mother refused to grant me access. Thankfully, the High Court judge upheld fairness, seeing through the false claims made against me and granting shared care arrangements. The Challenge of Shared Care Under the current agreement, I have my children every other week for four nights (4/14) and a 50/50 split during school holidays. My children—aged 10 and 12—deserve stability, yet challenges persist. The mother receives child maintenance (CM), yet the children were often not fed properly or treated equally. Despite having shared parental responsibility, she has never consulted me on important medical or educational matters. Manipulation & Emotional Struggles One of the most heartbreaking aspects of this situation is how the mother uses the children as a tool against me. She has encouraged them to write letters claiming they do not want to come, making the transition between homes emotionally distressing and difficult for them. Now, I no longer have access to my children, as the mother deliberately avoids bringing them to school on the days I am supposed to pick them up. My lawyers have advised that the court will interview the children to clarify the legitimacy of these letters, but they strongly believe that the children could not have written such statements independently. Ultimately, she has pushed the children into court, forcing them into a process that should never be imposed upon them. The emotional toll of legal battles, forced interviews, and manipulation is harmful and unfair, creating a deep and lasting impact on their well-being. The worst tactic yet has been her use of the word "abuse" against me. My children and I enjoy a physically active lifestyle—I do not work when they are with me, ensuring I dedicate all my time to them. Together, we have enjoyed water sports, outdoor adventures, indoor activities, theme parks, and so much more. But instead of embracing this enriching experience, the mother resents it, possibly because she is unable to do these things with them herself. The Pain of Separation & Financial Manipulation I have now not seen my children for two weeks, struggling with whether to return to court, knowing that the entire experience puts them under unnecessary stress. The mother spreads misinformation, telling the children I have failed to pay her, which is simply not true. Moreover, when the children express ambition and desire to engage in new activities, I support them wholeheartedly—yet she blocks
Worrier - 18-Apr-25 @ 6:57 AM
I can’t think of anything more painful or heartbreaking than hearing your husband say “I don’t love you anymore. Or “It’s over. I’m in love with someone else.” I was heart broken when my husband left me and moved to California to be with another woman. I felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because I was really in love with my husband. I have tried many options but he did not come back, until i met a friend that directed me to Dr.Excellent a spell caster, who helped me to bring back my husband after 11hours. Me and my husband are living happily together again, This man is powerful, Contact Dr. Excellent for any kind of spiritual problems or any kind of spell or relationship problems he is capable of making things right for you with no side effect. Here his contact. WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail. com
cindy byrd - 22-Jun-24 @ 3:35 AM
My ex and I had an arrangement regarding child maintenance but she's now decided to get the Child Maintenance Service involved. They did a calculation based on my tax return and what she told them about shared custody. She lied and they're taking her word for it so I have to pay more. I've tried talking to them but they just believe whatever she says and so any change is refused and they take her side. I'm banging my head against a wall. The system is so corrupt it's ridiculous. I understand that there will be idiots out there trying to dodge their responsibilities but the rest of us are being unfairly penalised . How can I prove the amount of time my son stays with me?! I
Saddleup - 6-Jun-24 @ 9:11 PM
My situation is much different then what I read here .I have never had contact with the child in question (my choice I was never cut out for been a parent .)the kid now has grown up I have read other stuff online where adult kids come looking for the other bio parent.(god that’s my biggest fear to have sum random stranger turn up on my door step calming there my daughter )(god what’s wrong with those people can’t they take the hint they are not wanted ?)I pray that doesn’t happen to me I’m sure it won’t they are not that stupid I hope anyway.
C laurie - 10-Mar-24 @ 12:53 AM
Hi, I have an 8 yr old son and I've split up many years ago from his mother, we had a mutually agreed shared care for our son where I was paying her £200/mth maintenance and then paying for his other extra curricular activities which was over £300. Recently she decided to move 250 miles away (approx. 6 hrs away), I stopped her by going to court and they put a prohibited steps order on her, then she got very upset and made false allegations against me as a result my son cannot stay with me during the nights. She has also gone to CMS and now they are asking me to pay £666/mth and I know that money will not be spent on our son, she will spend it on herself, and her friends. She is also expecting me to pay for the extra curricular activities (e.g. football club, kung-fu, private tuition, coding/programming classes etc.) on top of the child maintenance payment. I called CMS and 3 different ppl told me that extra curricular activities are included in the main payment calculation, she has told me that when she rang they told her that extra curricular activities are not included and she expects me to pay all of them and all that could amount to £1K/mth. Could someone please clarify what the situation is, does the £666 child maintenance include extra curricular activities or not? Regards Saj
Saj - 29-Feb-24 @ 8:47 PM
Good works deserves good recommendation, I met a powerful spell caster and He is very real, Honest and Genuine. All thanks to Dr.Excellent spell caster for helping me to bring back my husband. I was heart broken when my husband left me and moved to California to be with another woman. I felt my life was over and my kids thought they would never see their father again. I tried to be strong just for the kids but I could not control the pains that tormented my heart, my heart was filled with sorrows and pains because I was really in love with my husband. I have tried many options but he did not come back, until i met a friend that directed me to Dr.Excellent a spell caster, who helped me to bring back my husband after 11hours. Me and my husband are living happily together again, This man is powerful, you can contact him now. I will advice anyone that have relationship problem or marriage problem, financial Difficulty, court case problem contact Dr Excellent now, Here his contact. WhatsApp him at: +2348084273514 "Or email him at: Excellentspellcaster@gmail. com
oliviastephen02 - 27-Feb-24 @ 8:24 AM
Hi, I separated from my Childrens Mother recently and we have family agreements for both Childcare and Maintenance payments. My Ex earns low income and now needs to rely on some benefits. I agreed to only having the children every othewr weekend as she didnt just want the kids on school nights. i used the CMS calculator to work out the payment and also pay £50 on top of that for school lunches, £650/m total. My wife is demanding extra money for school uniforms and books and other things. I feel that these should come out of the "extra" I pay as a resault of agreeing to let her have the kids every other weekend. Effectively, this agreement costs me £130 per month - Im not sure what to do and wondered what other's thoughts might be ?
Fazza - 29-Jan-24 @ 9:30 AM
When I’m back in Queensland I would love to see my (adult daughter) but I don’t even know what state she lives in or have any contact doesn’t matter what state she was in I just fly there if she wanted to see me .
Airport king - 14-Jan-24 @ 3:54 AM
I work in the goldfields and Pilbara remote wa .
Airport king - 14-Jan-24 @ 3:09 AM
We have split up my sonsdad works shifts on a rolling basis. So 6 on 2 off would we work the nights spent with him out as an average as it’s 2 nights some weeks, then 4 or 3 or 1! It’s about 135 days a year so would I use 2/3 nights a week to work it out? Thanks
Beryl80 - 13-Jan-24 @ 10:52 PM
We are currently separating, my child’s dad works shifts on a rolling basis. So 6 on 4 off, would we work the nights spent with him out as an average as it’s 2 nights some weeks, then 4 or 3 or 1! It’s about 135 days a year so would I use 2/3 nights a week to work it out? Thanks
Beryl80 - 13-Jan-24 @ 10:47 PM
My ex partner pays maintenance for his child and now my ex is saying this money should be used to buy our child a Christmas present from him surely he should be paying for this out of his own money and not expecting me to use the csa money?. He also wants me to drive and meet him halfway so he can see our child when it was his decision to move over 6 hours away he says csa will take the money from me so he can keep it for petrol so he can travel surely this isn’t right as it was his decision to move that far away?
E - 10-Dec-23 @ 10:17 PM
My partner has 2 children - ages 15 and 19. He split it with their mum 13 years ago and have shared the kids 50/50 (although she got the benefits for the children). For 5 years his 19 year old chose to live with us full time, this was from age 14-19. She has just started spending more time at her mums, although she is now out of education. My partners 15 year old has always done 50/50. Just recently his ex (after being separated for 13 years) has asked for money. Now considering my partner has his son 50/50 and pays a lot of money for his activities/clothes etc, can she do this? She has now gone to CSA. Any tips/advice? Can this be happening after 13 years? Why when they have him 50/50. Can we counter claim for the 5 years she claimed their daughter lived with her when in fact she lived with us? We didn’t ask for a penny whilst we had her full time too.
RosieMcG - 11-Sep-23 @ 10:02 PM
Hi, up until a week or so ago, I had my daughter 50% of the time, but also fully engaged with schools, Dr appt, arrangements of outside activities etc.I was paying her mother £250 a month as well as paying for my daughters phone, football, football kit, half towards uniform school trips etc. This has been for the last two years.However what I was finding is that every time I disagreed with her mother over something she would threaten me with going to the CSA, so I spoke to them, they advised that she had no claim so I stopped the £250 payment (only one) and asked she contacted them as well so they could advise her.In response to this she has now stopped me seeing my daughter stating pay me and you can see her but also contacted the CSA saying I don’t see her at all and now they are saying I must pay her about £800 per month.How is this right and is there anything I can do.I’ve spoken to a solicitor and simply can’t afford to instruct one.
JDawg - 13-Aug-23 @ 5:54 AM
Hi I have been paying £600 per month for the last 14 years, my eldest has turned 18 and say his a levels in the summer and left school. He is likely to go to university, in our agreement it says until he is 18 or finished school. I paid in July aswell but he has officially left school. My ex wants me to pay august and September aswell before he goes to university ???
Evs - 3-Aug-23 @ 12:36 PM
Hi, I pay the correct amount of child maintenance to my ex for my son. For 5 years she has paid his football membership and I pay the subs and for his boots. Growing teen means lots of boots and they aren't cheap. I don't request money for these but now she is refusing to pay for his membership. Can I reduce the amount of maintenance I pay to cover this cost. I do not want him to stop as he does very much enjoy it and it's the only thing extracurricular that she pays for. I don't have a bottomless supply of cash and it seems.unfair that my son will suffer missing out on what he enjoys as she is being selfish.
Nozmo - 2-Aug-23 @ 6:43 PM
Hi i pay child maintenance every month if i earn more then 50000 do i have to pay child benfit as well
Jas - 24-May-23 @ 10:44 AM
hi, i’m looking for advice on behalf of my partner who is struggling. We’ve taken his children on they are now living with us and not their mother who has disappeared off the face of the earth. social services were involved and have said they are to stay with us and not go back to their mum if she returns. we have put in place for child benefit to be moved over to us. however this can take 16 weeks. Spoke to child maintenance and he is still expected to pay the full amount until she rings and closes the case? how can this be right. we cannot afford that aswell as feeding, clothing breakfast club and not to mention we now need a bigger car and an extra bedroom. surely there must be a way round this or we are paying her money for not even having the children?
kayz - 16-May-23 @ 3:10 PM
Hello there I'm seeking advise on child maintenance,I pay my ex £350 per month ,I have my kids every weds from 5:30till 8:30 And then every Sunday from 1:30 till 8:30 in the evenings and then I have them alternative Friday nights over night ,based on my wages I'm paying too much a month but with me having them not over night on the weds and sun of every week is this even considered towards my child maintance , I also have them over night on bank holidays and I take them away on holiday for 2 weeks a year ,IV ask my ex if I can keep them over night on the Sundays but has refused ,IV mentioned lowing my child maintenance but she won't allow it ,there is just no reasoning with her ,my kids are always well looked after and well fed when there with me IV also contributed to extras as well like going half for my daughter to go to a concert ,I need advise because I feel like my ex is just being totally in reasonable,she also says I can't move or re arrange the times I have my kids for instance if I wanted to go away for a weekend she won't let me have my kids on a alternative day
andrew - 16-May-23 @ 12:59 PM
Hello there I'm seeking advise on child maintenance,I pay my ex £350 per month ,I have my kids every weds from 5:30till 8:30 And then every Sunday from 1:30 till 8:30 in the evenings and then I have them alternative Friday nights over night ,based on my wages I'm paying too much a month but with me having them not over night on the weds and sun of every week is this even considered towards my child maintance , I also have them over night on bank holidays and I take them away on holiday for 2 weeks a year ,IV ask my ex if I can keep them over night on the Sundays but has refused ,IV mentioned lowing my child maintenance but she won't allow it ,there is just no reasoning with her ,my kids are always well looked after and well fed when there with me IV also contributed to extras as well like going half for my daughter to go to a concert ,I need advise because I feel like my ex is just being totally in reasonable,she also says I can't move or re arrange the times I have my kids for instance if I wanted to go away for a weekend she won't let me have my kids on a alternative day
andrew - 16-May-23 @ 12:57 PM
Hi all. Looking for some advice. I have a 2 year old but been split from his mum for a year now. I’ve been paying more than double what CSA calculator asks me to pay as she had said I need to contribute towards childcare costs which I now know I don’t. Arrangement is that i have my son a Thursday night and 1 day/night each weekend. Because I am about to move in with my new partner and we won’t have a spare room available for my son to have his own room just now, she is trying to stop me having my son overnight. Can anyone advise what rights she has and if she can actually stop my overnights with my son? Thanks
Dave - 15-May-23 @ 5:53 PM
i'am actually having the best time in a very long time , kudos to Spyloop for helping me to reveal everything my ex has has been doing behind me , now am actually having a great time and i actually believe he can help people out there that has the same problems compared to most other hackers out there .you can contact him through email on hacksecrete@ gmail. comand get your doubts cleared, he can also hack into all social media of your target and provide for you the evidence that you need, and you can also reach him directly by texting him directly+1 (678) 774-9625and let him knows i refer you to him.. you can also reach him if you're not able to withdraw your funds from online trading platforms such as expert-option ,financial, Analyst , coinspot, Ctxprime and many more .. goodluck
camila witney - 26-Mar-23 @ 6:02 PM
When me and partner split up I had my son 3 x a week. We had an informal agreement and i paid for all his expenses e.g school lunches, child care, uniform etc.my son now lives with me 6 days a week (his choice) but his mum refuses to pay for anything. She has even refused to get his phone screen fixed because I get the child benefit. I have tried to come to an arrangement with her however this has come to nothing. I am debating whether to go to the CMS but am worried that because we had no formal arrangement when my son lived with his mum that she will be able to claim for back payments. Is that something that can happen?
Dad - 10-Mar-23 @ 9:47 AM
Hi just asking for some advice. Ex is taking the kids on holiday this year. They have no passports now because they have ran out. I paid for everything last time in 2018 to Spain. Is it his responsibility to provide passports and clothing for this holiday because it’s on his time in summer holidays.
Frog - 6-Mar-23 @ 4:26 PM
Hi, My ex has our child every other weekend Friday until Monday morning. I am currently applying for CSA. Am I legally obliged to provide him with clothes for the weekend or because it’s his weekend is it his responsibility? Also whose responsibility is it for the after school club on the Friday he picks her up and the school lunch on the Monday when he drops her to school.
Leah - 31-Jan-23 @ 9:29 AM
My partner pays CMS calculated amount of £35 a week for his child. He also pays £25 a month for phone contract, £40 a month for dance class, gives £10 a week pocket money, puts £40 a week into savings account for said child, buys shoes, coats and other clothes for child, mother makes him pay for martial arts tournaments if he takes her on his weekend( even though she signed her up for the classes). We also have her for 174 days of the year minimum as the mother drops her off for me to look after. There is a court order in place that has never been abided by on either side, only when it suits them. CMS have told him to only pay the £35 a week, but he refuses to pay that amount. The mother earns more than he does, yet she says she wants more. Can the CMS make him pay more based on what he voluntary pays?By the way, I'm not supposed to look after the child as the mother had added to the court order that the father had to be the main carer for the child when she's supposed to be with him.
Em - 28-Dec-22 @ 9:48 PM
Hi all, I currently pay child maintenance and I have my daughter every weekend which I am more than happy with and I had to sort a Friday after school and then take her home Friday night then pick her up Saturday but I have currently changed jobs and my shift is 13:00-22:00 and I cannot commit to getting her after school any more which is a shame but needs must, my ex is saying I have to pay the after school club which is £100 a month on top of my maintenance, is this correct or can anyone guide me to where I find out the correct amount I should pay, my ex does not pay anything towards the after school club. Thanks
Luke J - 20-Nov-22 @ 11:32 AM
Hello, I have seperated and paying Child Maint everymonth as per .gov website and also at times extra club expenses. Now, she is asking me to take care of our child for 4 nights every week in her home when she is away for work. Am i bound to make myself available on those four days of every week and spoiling my plans. or else she is demanding child care fee @15 or 20 per hour, if she gets someone to look after. pls advise..
Ying - 19-Oct-22 @ 9:53 PM
Hi Me n my ex partner split when my Twin Daughters were 5, no payments were made to me the 1st 2years, then an agreement between ourselves was made,he paid £250 for both, last October it went to £100 for both, now this October he refuses to pay anything - the girls are 16 in Dec, final year at school but then going onto college... should i persue through child maintenance service
Muggins - 11-Oct-22 @ 9:51 AM
@ish,in my situation there is no expectation (this women child has no home at my place) .I have never pay support or had visits. Her child is a adult she can stand on her own two feet I seriously consider myself a men who had no children and she will be left nothing in my will when I pass .she is not even welcome at my funeral. People can hate on me all they want .
C laurie - 8-Sep-22 @ 12:36 AM
Share Your Story, Join the Discussion or Seek Advice...
Title:
(never shown)
Firstname:
(never shown)
Surname:
(never shown)
Email:
(never shown)
Nickname:
(shown)
Comment:
Validate:
Enter word:
Topics
** News/Blog **
Ask Our Experts...
Lies in Separation...
The Court Process...
Letter Templates...
Forum...
Discussions...
Case Studies...
Readers' Stories...
Psychology...
Negotiation...
Legal...
Financial...
Practicalities...
Emotional...
Communication...
Separation...
Download Guides...
Site Information...
Latest Comments