How long does it take to process child maintenance

Going through a separation is tough enough without worrying about your child's financial security. Often, one of the biggest worries parents have when separating is making sure their child is financially secure and has everything they need to thrive. A common question we hear is: ‘how long does it take for child maintenance to start?

The quick answer is, child maintenance can start straight away with a private agreement, or from 4 – 12 weeks if you go through the government's Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

In this guide, we'll explore both routes, explain what factors might cause delays and show you how to get child maintenance started as quickly as possible.

We also have a podcast episode on child maintenance you may want to listen to:

What is child maintenance?

Child maintenance is the money one parent pays to the other parent towards their child’s upbringing after separation. All parents have a responsibility to support their children financially, even if they no longer live together or see the child – and it’s crucial for your child’s wellbeing.

Typically, child maintenance is a regular monthly payment to the parent who has the child most of the time. It can also include other forms of support, like paying for certain expenses (school costs, clothing etc.), as long as both parents agree. The goal is to ensure the child’s needs are met consistently.

Importantly, child maintenance is separate from the divorce process. You don’t have to wait until a divorce is final to arrange or start paying child maintenance, it should be arranged as soon as you separate, and the child is living with one parent more often.

Whether you were married or not, if you’re a parent living apart from your child, you’re expected to contribute financially. Child maintenance generally continues until the child is at least 16 (or 20 if they remain in full-time education or training).

Rebecca Jones, Negotiation Team Lead at amicable, shares her view on child maintenance: ‘Every child is different, and their needs will look different from one family to another. What matters most is focusing on what your child truly needs. Even if adjustments have to be made, working together can help ensure your child continues to feel supported, loved and cared for within what is affordable.’

Private agreement vs Child Maintenance Service (CMS)

There are two main ways to set up child maintenance: a family-based private agreement between you and your ex-partner, or through the government’s Child Maintenance Service (CMS). The choice will affect how long the process takes.

Private child maintenance arrangements

This is when you and the other parent agree on an amount and payment schedule between yourselves. You can simply have an open conversation, decide how much should be paid and how often, and then set up a standing order or bank transfer. Most people choose a private arrangement if things are amicable, as it’s simpler and free. A private agreement can be put in place as soon as you both agree, there’s no delay for formal processing.

Essentially, the timeline for a private agreement is however much time it takes for you and your ex-partner to discuss it and agree. In an ideal scenario, you could reach an agreement within days and start the payments immediately the following month. This makes private arrangements the quickest way to get child maintenance started.

Child Maintenance Service (CMS)

This is a government service that can calculate and enforce child maintenance if you cannot agree privately. You would apply to the CMS and provide details about both parents and the child. The CMS will then contact the other parent, verify their income (usually via HMRC) and work out the statutory child maintenance amount based on a standard formula. Using the CMS is helpful if there’s a conflict or difficulty communicating, or if you want an official calculation.

However, it does introduce a processing time. You’ll typically need to wait a few weeks for the CMS to set up the arrangement. We’ll break down the timeline in the next section.

The CMS charges a small fee for collecting payments if you use their Collect & Pay service. Many people choose Direct Pay, where the paying parent transfers money directly, to avoid fees and delays.

Choosing between a private agreement and the CMS comes down to your personal situation. If you have an amicable relationship and can trust each other to stick to payments, a private agreement is faster and easier. If not, the CMS can step in to calculate, track and enforce payments, but it will take longer to get everything processed and started.

How long does child maintenance take via the CMS?

If you go through the Child Maintenance Service, it will take a little longer. Here’s what to expect, and how to plan ahead. Child maintenance through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) usually takes around 4 – 12 weeks to set up. The first calculation often comes within 4 weeks, and the first payment is typically received within 12 weeks of applying.

The CMS gathers income details from HMRC and contacts the paying parent to set out the required payment. If any complications arise, like missing details or difficulty reaching the other parent, this step can take longer. Once assessed, you'll receive a breakdown of the payment schedule, which includes backdated payments from your application date.

Payments start more quickly if you use Direct Pay, as the paying parent transfers the money directly. Collect & Pay, where the CMS collects and transfers the payment, might take slightly longer due to processing. This is why it’s important to plan ahead, as you may need financial support during this initial waiting period.

How quickly can a private child maintenance agreement be set up?

A private child maintenance arrangement can be arranged in a matter of days, or even hours, depending on how quickly you and your ex-partner agree.

This is because it's based on mutual agreement between you both, without any delays for administration or processing. If you can both communicate effectively, you can discuss and agree on child maintenance within days or even a few conversations, potentially starting payments as soon as you and your ex-partner agree.

If reaching an agreement proves challenging, amicable offers structured support through its Separating with Children Service. This expert-led session can help you quickly resolve any disagreements over child maintenance and parenting plans, ensuring clarity and reducing emotional stress.

With amicable’s guidance, couples can typically establish a practical child maintenance plan quickly, often in a matter of days or weeks.

Factors that could affect the child maintenance timeline

• Missing or incomplete information about one parent
• Conflict and miscommunication over the maintenance calculation
• Use of Collect & Pay instead of Direct Pay
• Missed or late payments from the paying parent
• Changes in income, employment or living situation
• Breakdown of a private agreement mid-process
• Delays in responding to CMS requests
• Lack of documentation or financial details at the start

Contact amicable’s Co-parenting Specialists

If you’d like support agreeing on child maintenance in a way that feels fair and child-focused, our friendly Co-parenting Specialists can help. Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk through your options. Contact amicable today.

Our Divorce and Co-parenting Specialists are here to support you through every step of your separation journey, from negotiating child maintenance and parenting plans to handling the legal paperwork. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to understand your situation and advise on the best next steps.