When couples separate, the children of the marriage will generally live with one or the other of them.

The parent with whom the children do not live, will thereafter be obliged to contribute to their upbringing by way of child maintenance. Usually, parents will agree between themselves how much child maintenance is to be paid.

While that agreement can be an informal one, it is important that a proper record of payments is kept to avoid claims by one or the other, later, that payments have not been made.

If parents cannot agree how much maintenance should be paid, then either of them can refer the case to the Child Maintenance Service. The Child Maintenance Service is the organisation (formerly the Child Support Agency) which has jurisdiction over decisions regarding child maintenance.

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The Child Maintenance Service will make an assessment and there is a useful online calculator which gives guidance as to likely payments – gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance.

Once an assessment is made, the parents will be invited to agree the assessment and to agree between themselves how payments will be made.

If parents cannot agree between themselves how payments shall be made, then the CMS offers a collection service.

There is a cost to both parties in using the CMS to collect and pay child maintenance, so it makes sense, therefore, to agree.

The bringing up of children is an expensive business.

But separation should not burden one parent with the cost of their children’s upbringing nor allow the other to abrogate financial responsibility.

Non-resident parents should be encouraged to support their children and indeed the work of the CMS.