You are here: Home » Children Law » Child maintenance Our people About us Careers Blog Call local rate 0330 056 3171 Mon - Fri 8:30am - 7pm | Sat - Sun 9am - 5pm Contact us Home Divorce Financial Matters Child Law Unmarried Couples Domestic Abuse Offices Child maintenance solicitors Our team of child maintenance solicitors are here to help get the best outcome for you Draw upon our years of experience and child-centred approach for help with child maintenance payments. Request Free Callback Submit your details, and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation callback at a time to suit you. Please note that we cannot offer Legal aid. Name* Surname* Tel* Email* Select location... Closest Office* Enquiry Details* Callback time options Solicitors for child maintenance payments When a family breaks down, one of the key considerations is the financial needs of the separating couple and any children. Child maintenance is a set payment made from one parent to another to cover living expenses and is calculated based on different criteria and circumstances. ( The government has a helpful online calculator). Ideally, parents will negotiate and agree on the amount of maintenance and what it will cover between themselves. If this is not possible, an application can be made to the CMS (Child Maintenance Service). The CMS is a government-run agency that arranges and collects maintenance payments. Using their extensive experience, our team of divorce lawyers have supported many families to resolve maintenance issues both directly and through the CMS and, in rare cases, the court system. Children’s law services Children law Child arreangements orders Care proceedings See more child law services Call our expert team today 0330 056 3171 or request a call back Resolving child maintenance issues The best solution is for you and your ex-partner to agree on maintenance and manage the process directly. This reduces the need for CMS fees and any potential court/legal fees. It also means the maintenance can be flexed (with both sides agreement) if circumstances change. However, these arrangements are not legally enforceable, so they are not suitable for all families. To make the agreement legally binding, you can apply to the court to turn it into a consent order. However, either parent can opt out after 12 months and choose to go to the CMS. The CMS is a government service that will arrange and collect maintenance on the relevant parents’ behalf, helping reduce conflict and any payment issues. In certain circumstances, for example, if one parent lives aboard, you can seek an order for child maintenance from the courts. Making decisions about the future financial security of your family is stressful. So let us help take the strain; our legal team works within this area of the law every day and is highly knowledgeable about its complexities and processes. Our expertise in all aspects of child law Spousal maintenance Child maintenance Arrangements for children Jewish divorce International divorce and offshore assets Islamic Sharia Law divorce International family law and multiple jurisdictions Contact us We remain open for business during the COVID-19 outbreak. Submit your details below, and we’ll arrange a free, no-obligation call back at a time to suit you. To ensure we are the right fit, we need to make you aware that we cannot offer Legal aid. 0330 056 3171 Name* Surname* Tel* Email* Select location... Closest Office* Enquiry Details* Callback time options Blog Posts in Child Law Children|Divorce|Family November 22nd 2021 Making arrangements for children during Christmas Continue reading... Children|Divorce|Domestic abuse|Family|Mediation|Relationships|Separation November 18th 2021 5 Tips for Parallel Parenting Continue reading... Children|Family|Family Law October 20th 2021 Step-parent adoption: Insight from a family lawyer Continue reading... About us Careers Newsletter signup Stowe talks Break-up Clubs Divorce Directory Client login Follow us: Stowe Family Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA ref 469401. Stowe Family Law LLP is registered with Companies House, ref. OC331570, and registered for VAT, number 918 5722 04. Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes. Terms of Use Privacy Policy & Data Protection Cookie Policy Complaints Policy Sitemap Copyright © 2021 · Stowe Family Law LLP This site uses cookies: Find out more. Okay, thank you