Child Maintenance
Legal Advice and Support
When parents separate, they remain jointly responsible for supporting their children financially. Child maintenance is the system through which regular payments are made to help with a child’s everyday living costs. At Rashid Solicitors, we help parents understand their rights and responsibilities and provide legal advice if disputes arise.
When parents separate, they remain jointly responsible for supporting their children financially. Child maintenance is the system through which regular payments are made to help with a child’s everyday living costs. At Rashid Solicitors, we help parents understand their rights and responsibilities and provide legal advice if disputes arise.
We support both parents who receive maintenance and those who are expected to pay. Whether you are trying to set up a fair agreement, facing difficulties with the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), or want to understand how maintenance interacts with court orders, we offer clear and practical advice.
What is child maintenance?
Child maintenance is a regular payment made by one parent to the other to support a child’s needs. It usually covers housing, food, clothing, school costs, and other daily expenses. Maintenance can be agreed privately between parents or assessed and enforced by the Child Maintenance Service.
The CMS uses a standard formula based on the paying parent’s income, number of children, and overnight stays. However, private arrangements are often more flexible and based on what both parties consider fair.
We help you understand which route is suitable and how to formalise an agreement.
When solicitor advice is helpful
You may need legal advice if
- You are unsure what you or the other parent should be paying
- You are being unfairly assessed by the CMS
- One parent is refusing to pay or has stopped paying
- The paying parent’s income has changed and the arrangement no longer feels fair
- Maintenance is being used as a bargaining tool in child arrangements
- You need to apply for or vary a court order relating to financial support
We provide independent advice that focuses on what is realistic, fair, and legally sound. We also explain how maintenance fits alongside other legal issues such as divorce, housing, and child contact.
Fixed fee for child maintenance advice
Service
Legal Advice on Child Maintenance
and CMS Issues
What’s included
Solicitor consultation, legal explanation, written advice
Fixed fee
£250
(No VAT)
Included
- Consultation with a qualified solicitor
- Review of your financial situation and parenting arrangements
- Advice on your rights and obligations
- Explanation of CMS rules and calculation methods
- Written summary of advice and next steps
Not included
- Appeals or tribunal hearings (quoted separately)
- Drafting or amending court orders
-
Ongoing enforcement or negotiation
with the other parent -
Financial disclosure or evidence review
(beyond initial advice)
If further work is required, we will provide a fixed quote in advance before taking any further steps.
Disbursements and additional costs
Some child maintenance matters may involve payments to third parties. These are called disbursements and are separate from our legal fees. We will always explain what they are for, how much they cost, and whether they are paid directly or through us.
Examples of disbursements may include
- Interpreter or translation services
- Statutory declarations or certified documents
- Expert financial assessments (in high-value disputes)
- Court fees (if linked to a variation or enforcement application)
If disbursements apply, you will receive a clear breakdown in writing before any payment is made.
Court involvement in child maintenance
In most cases, child maintenance is managed through private agreements or the CMS.
However, the court may still be involved if
- Maintenance is included in a financial consent order during divorce
- One parent lives overseas and the CMS cannot assist
- The case involves very high income or complex financial arrangements
- Enforcement action is needed through the courts
We advise you on when court involvement is appropriate and how to protect your child’s interests.
Who will handle your case
Your application will be managed or overseen by a qualified solicitor. We provide all clients with a written engagement letter explaining the work involved, the fees, the timescales, and your rights throughout the process.
Language support
We support Bengali, Sylheti, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, Arabic, Somali and a range of other languages. Let us know your preferred language when contacting us. We can arrange an interpreter if required.
how we work
Free 15 Min Consultation
24/7 Access for Urgent cases
Fixed Fees No hidden charges
Frequently asked question
The CMS uses a formula based on gross weekly income, number of children, and number of nights the child stays with each parent. We help you calculate this accurately.
No. You can make a private agreement between parents. However, if agreement is not possible, the CMS can step in and manage payments and enforcement.
This can complicate assessments. We advise on what evidence can be gathered and how to challenge unfair assessments through the proper channels.
Yes. It can be included in a financial consent order. However, the CMS can still be used later if circumstances change. We explain how to make the agreement as secure as possible.
Usually, CMS payments start from the date of application. In certain cases, arrears may apply. We explain what is recoverable and how to raise concerns.
We can advise on enforcement options, both through the CMS and the courts, depending on how the arrangement was made.
Yes. If there are changes in income or care arrangements, a reassessment can be requested. We help you understand how and when to do this properly.
Some countries have reciprocal enforcement arrangements with the UK. We can advise on your options depending on where the other parent lives.
Book your free 15-minute consultation
If you need advice about child maintenance, speak to a solicitor in confidence. We will explain your legal position, what the CMS expects, and how to move forward with a clear understanding of your rights.
Call now or book your consultation online.
