Do I have to pay child maintenance if my ex won't let me see the children?

Yes. Child maintenance and contact (visitation) are legally separate. You still have a financial obligation to your children regardless of contact arrangements. Withholding maintenance is not a valid response to being denied contact.

Can I get child maintenance reduced if I have another child?

Yes. If you have a new child living with you (biological or legally adopted), the CMS will reduce the percentage applied to your income. You will need to inform the CMS and provide evidence.

Child Maintenance Advice for Fathers

Understanding your position as a paying parent

In the vast majority of CMS cases, the father is the paying parent. This guide is written with that in mind, though the rules apply equally regardless of which parent is paying.

Child maintenance exists to ensure children are financially supported by both parents. The system isn't always fair-feeling - it's based purely on gross income with no deduction for living costs - but understanding it fully gives you the best chance of a fair outcome.

Know exactly what you should pay

The first step is knowing the correct figure. Use our net pay calculator to get a realistic number based on your take-home pay. Many fathers discover they're paying the wrong amount - either too much due to an outdated income figure, or too little due to an error.

Push for shared care overnight stays

The CMS only counts overnight stays for its shared care discount. Daytime contact - however frequent - doesn't reduce payments. This means it's important to have regular overnight contact documented and agreed.

Even having your children for 1–2 nights per week can reduce your payments by 1/7 to 2/7. See our full guide: How shared care affects child maintenance.

Keep records of everything

Disputes about shared care, income, and what was agreed are extremely common. Keep:

A diary of overnight stays with dates
Payment records (bank statements)
Any written agreements (texts, emails) about arrangements
Records of any extra financial contributions (school uniforms, trips, etc.)

If payments leave you unable to cover essential costs

Many fathers find that after tax, National Insurance, and child maintenance, they have very little left. The current system doesn't factor in rent, mortgage, food, or other living costs. Our living costs calculator shows what your payments might look like if essential costs were considered - useful for context when discussing arrangements with a solicitor.

Making a private agreement

Many parents prefer a private arrangement over involving the CMS. This gives more flexibility and avoids CMS fees. Our calculator includes a downloadable private agreement document you can take to a family solicitor to make legally binding. This is often the cheapest and most amicable route.

If you genuinely cannot pay

Contact the CMS straight away if you're struggling. Never just stop paying - arrears accumulate and enforcement action can include wage deductions, driving licence removal, or worse. The CMS is generally more receptive to payment plans for people who engage proactively.