Becoming a parent and bringing up a son or daughter is one of life’s most richly rewarding perks. Although it’s emotionally enriching, it’s equally as demanding on your back pocket; especially when parents separate. If you part ways with your child’s father, it’s vital that you both find a way to ensure their needs are met. That’s where the UK’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS) comes in. The government-led service provides the foundation for negotiation amongst separated parents to find a mutually agreeable sum to cover the everyday costs of children.
Below, we’ll explain how the CMS works and the value of securing the appropriate level of funding for your child.
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Explaining the Child Maintenance Service
The CMS is a UK government agency designed to support separated parents with their child maintenance payments. It’s the new name for the Child Support Agency, aiming to streamline the payment approach.
The remit of the CMS is to ensure the non-resident parent pays their fair share towards their child’s overall upbringing. This includes the bare essentials like clothing, food and school-related outgoings such as stationery and sports kit.
Child maintenance payments are determined using the CMS’ sliding scale, based on the non-resident parent’s gross weekly income. The agency takes all variables into consideration, such as the number of evenings spent with the non-resident parent, the number of children involved and such like. The calculation aims to find the fairest possible outcome for all.
How the CMS works
There are multiple avenues for parents to explore child maintenance payments through the CMS. First of all, parents can agree payments directly, circumventing the need for the CMS. If things are still very amicable between you, this can be the easiest and least stressful route.
If an agreement can’t be made, or the paying parent isn’t reliable, the CMS can step in and determine an agreeable figure for the receiving parent. The CMS will even collect the funds, although there are surcharges for doing so, which is something to bear in mind. It’s an additional 20% for the paying parent, which should give non-resident parents an incentive to avoid the CMS altogether.
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The value of enlisting a child law solicitor to mediate on your behalf
If your relationship with your ex-partner is frayed at best, you may prefer to hire the services of child custody lawyers to act on your behalf. They can advise on the best route to take based on the circumstances of your case. They can also discuss child arrangement orders if custody is fast becoming an issue between you and the non-resident parent.
Child law solicitors are well-versed in these scenarios, both inside and outside the court room. They can act with the care and compassion needed to achieve the best possible outcome for your kids.
If the non-resident parent falls behind with their child maintenance payments, the CMS or a child law solicitor can work to recover the owed amount. The CMS have enlarged powers to seize funds from wages and property or even take appropriate court action.
The mission of the CMS is to give kids the resources they need to thrive, not just survive, despite their newly fragmented family make-up.
For further reading around the subject, check out:
- Handling your ex after your divorce
- Understand more about the Child Maintenance Service
