A family-based arrangement is a private agreement between the parents that sets out how much child maintenance will be paid and when it will be paid. As it is a private arrangement between the parents you don’t need to involve Solicitors or the CMS, however you can agree to record your intention in a Separation Agreement if you wish which can be drafted by a Solicitor. The advantage of making a family-based arrangement is that it can be tailored to the specific needs of the family. For example, it can take into account the income of both parents and any other financial commitments they have. You can also agree to pay in excess of the child maintenance calculation. It can also be flexible about when payments are made and to whom they are paid. While child maintenance is normally paid to the primary caregiver, you may decide to make the payments directly to an older child who is in full-time education, for example.