All Articles
Everything you need to know about the UK Child Maintenance Service
4 articles
EnforcementEnforcement13 min read
CMS Arrears Never Expire. Debt From the 1990s Still Counts
Child maintenance arrears do not become statute barred, and bankruptcy will not clear them. When they can be written off, and how to check the figure is right.
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Enforcement9 min read
Can You Go to Prison for Not Paying Child Maintenance?
The CMS can ask a court to jail you for arrears under section 40 of the Child Support Act 1991. Here is how rare it really is, and what actually happens.
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Enforcement9 min readpaying parent
Can the CMS Take Money From Your New Partner?
Your new partner's income can never raise your CMS assessment. But since 2018 the CMS can take money from a joint account. Both answers, explained plainly.
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Enforcement7 min readpaying parent
Don't Pay Child Maintenance? Wages, Bank Account, Then Court
The CMS can take money from your wages or your bank without going to court first. Losing your licence and prison are real, but rare. The order of escalation.
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