The Child Maintenance Guide — What the CMS Won't Tell You

Child maintenance is one of the most contested and least 

understood areas of family finances in England and Wales.

The Child Maintenance Service formula looks simple. In 

practice it is frequently manipulated, poorly administered, 

and inadequately enforced — leaving receiving parents 

significantly underpaid and paying parents facing 

calculations they believe to be wrong.

This guide gives you the understanding to use the system 

effectively — whether you are the receiving parent, the 

paying parent, or dealing with an ex who is hiding income.

WHAT THIS GUIDE COVERS:

PART 1 — HOW THE CMS CALCULATES MAINTENANCE

The exact formula — percentages, income thresholds, and 

how shared care nights reduce the liability. How the CMS 

uses HMRC records and what to do when those records are 

out of date.

PART 2 — DIRECT PAY VS COLLECT AND PAY

Which to choose and why. When to switch. What Collect 

and Pay costs — and what enforcement powers it unlocks.

PART 3 — VARIATIONS: CHALLENGING THE CALCULATION

The most powerful tool available to receiving parents. 

Lifestyle inconsistent with declared income. Assets. 

Diverted income. How to apply and what the CMS 

investigates.

PART 4 — THE SELF-EMPLOYED PAYING PARENT

The biggest loophole in the CMS system. How self-employed 

parents control their declared income — and what you can 

do about it. The lifestyle variation. Diverted income. 

When a court application beats the CMS.

PART 5 — ENFORCEMENT: WHEN THE PAYING PARENT WON'T PAY

Deduction from earnings orders. Deductions from bank 

accounts. Liability orders. Driving disqualification. 

Commitment to prison. All of it — clearly explained.

PART 6 — FAMILY ARRANGEMENTS VS THE CMS

When to use the CMS and when not to. Why goodwill 

is not enforcement. The twelve-month consent order 

trap that catches many parents out.

PART 7 — THE INTERACTION WITH FINANCIAL REMEDY

The capital vs maintenance trap. Why agreeing to limit 

maintenance as part of a divorce settlement deserves 

very careful analysis. The twelve-month rule — why 

maintenance agreed in a consent order does not last.

WHAT YOU GET:

✓ Complete child maintenance guide — 7 parts

✓ Covers CMS calculation, variations, enforcement

✓ The self-employed loophole — and what to do about it

✓ Written by a qualified solicitor (non-practising)

✓ PDF — instant download, lifetime access

No deposit. No hourly rate. No invoice.

The knowledge your solicitor has — without the bill.

For educational purposes only. Not legal advice.

Eugene Pienaar is a non-practising Solicitor of the 

Supreme Court of England and Wales.