What this tool does

This checker gives you a quick, personalised read on where you stand with child maintenance in the UK. You tell it a bit about your circumstances, such as who the child lives with, whether there is already a CMS arrangement in place, and what the issue is, and it explains what the law says about your position and what steps you can take next.

It covers both sides: parents who are owed maintenance and parents who are being asked to pay. You will get a plain summary of how payments are usually worked out, what counts as income, and what the Child Maintenance Service can do if things go wrong.

When to use it

It is aimed at separated or separating parents in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland who want a clearer picture before ringing the CMS, paying for legal advice, or agreeing a family arrangement. You might use it if you are setting up maintenance for the first time, if payments have stopped or dropped, if you think the amount is wrong, or if you believe the other parent is not declaring all their income.

It is also useful if you have had a letter from the CMS you do not understand, or if you are considering asking for a variation because of extra costs, shared care, or a change in earnings. It is not a substitute for legal advice in complex cases, for example where there are cross-border issues or a court order already covers maintenance.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about your situation, usually taking two or three minutes. The tool then produces a written summary explaining your likely rights, the options open to you, and the practical next steps, including when it is worth contacting the CMS, Citizens Advice, or a family solicitor. Your answers are not saved and no account is needed, so you can run it again if your circumstances change.