About This Site
Why we built this, and who it's for
What is Child Maintenance Guide UK?
Child Maintenance Guide UK is a free, independent information resource for parents in England, Scotland, and Wales who are dealing with the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).
We know how confusing the CMS can be. The rules are complex, the official guidance can be hard to understand, and the stakes - for both paying and receiving parents - are high. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate, plain-English answers to the questions you're actually asking.
Who is this for?
This site is for:
- Paying parents who want to understand what they owe, why, and what rights they have
- Receiving parents who want to know what they're entitled to and what to do when payments don't arrive
- Both parents navigating changes in circumstances, shared care, appeals, or enforcement
Our Net Pay Calculator
One of our most popular tools is the Net Pay Child Maintenance Calculator. The official CMS calculator on GOV.UK asks for your gross income - but most people think and talk in terms of take-home pay.
Our calculator lets you enter your net (after-tax) pay. We use standard UK income tax and National Insurance rates to estimate your gross income, then apply the official CMS rates to give you a realistic figure for what you'd pay or receive.
Is this advice?
No. Everything on this site is general information only - not legal, financial, or professional advice. Child maintenance rules can change, and everyone's situation is different. For advice specific to your circumstances, please consult a qualified family law solicitor or contact the CMS directly.
Is this affiliated with the government?
No. This is an independent website and has no affiliation with the Child Maintenance Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, or any government body. We link to the official GOV.UK pages where relevant and always encourage you to verify information there.
Keeping content up to date
We aim to keep all articles updated with the latest CMS rates and rules. All articles display a publication or last-updated date. If you spot something that seems out of date, please get in touch.
Ready to find your answers?
Browse our articles or try our free net pay calculator.