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Child Maintenance Solicitors Burnley
At Farnworth Rose, our Child Maintenance Solicitors provide clear advice to help you understand your rights and responsibilities around financial support for your child.
It can be difficult to know what to do when one parent isn’t contributing fairly, or when informal agreements break down. Some parents don’t know where to turn when payments stop without warning. Others are left in limbo because nothing has ever been agreed. Our Child Support Lawyers are here to listen, explain your options clearly, and help you take control of the situation with calm, steady guidance.
With over 35 years of combined legal experience, our team is trusted by families across Lancashire and beyond to resolve Child Support Disputes with care and determination. Clients come to us for honest advice, direct solicitor access, and support they can rely on throughout the process.
We offer clear, responsive legal advice that puts your child’s needs first. Whether you need help starting the process or responding to a problem that’s already happened, we’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
To speak with one of our expert Child Maintenance Solicitors in Burnley, call 01282 695 400 or complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.
Why Choose Farnworth Rose for Child Maintenance Arrangements?
When it comes to securing reliable financial support for your child, it’s important to have the right guidance and someone who will speak up for you when things aren’t working. At Farnworth Rose, we offer clear advice and focused legal support to help you deal with maintenance issues without unnecessary conflict or delay.
You will always speak directly with a solicitor who understands Child Maintenance Agreements and who will take the time to understand your situation. We’ll explain your options in plain English, keep you informed at every stage and act firmly when payments are being avoided or ignored. Clients choose us because:
You will have direct contact with a solicitor who understands child maintenance
We give advice that is focused on your family’s financial needs
You’ll be kept updated throughout the process — no chasing for answers
We act quickly when payments are missed or blocked
Our pricing is clear and agreed with you upfront
Every case is handled with care, empathy and attention to detail. Whether you’re just starting a conversation or dealing with a long-standing issue, our Child Maintenance Solicitors in Burnley are here to help you secure the support your child deserves.
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What Does Child Maintenance Cover?
Child maintenance is financial support paid by the parent who does not live with the child to the parent who provides the day-to-day care. It helps cover the essential costs of raising a child and ensures they continue to have a safe, secure and stable standard of living after separation.
Maintenance is usually paid for children under 16, or under 20 if they remain in full-time education (such as A-levels or equivalent). The purpose is to help meet the child’s everyday needs and promote their wellbeing. Child maintenance can help cover:
Household costs including rent or mortgage, food, heating and utility bills
School-related expenses such as uniforms, equipment and transport
Agreed extracurricular activities like swimming lessons or music tuition
Disability-related costs, where relevant, such as therapy or specialist equipment
Additional support to maintain a consistent standard of living if there was a higher household income before separation
These payments are designed to contribute to a child’s basic care, not one-off or luxury expenses unless both parents agree to include them.
In most cases, maintenance is calculated by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) based on the paying parent’s gross income and how many nights the child stays with them. The amount may also vary depending on whether the parent supports other children or has income from self-employment.
Our Child Maintenance Solicitors can help you understand how this applies to your situation and what steps you can take if the current arrangement isn’t working.
How We Can Help with Child Support Disputes
We regularly support parents at all stages of arranging, reviewing and enforcing Child Maintenance Agreements. For some, the issue is getting payments started when the other parent refuses to engage. For others, the challenge is dealing with missed payments or enforcing a plan that’s already in place.
Child Support Disputes are more common than many people realise. They often arise when there’s disagreement over how much should be paid, how it’s been calculated, or whether the paying parent is being honest about their income. These situations can quickly become stressful, particularly when there are already communication difficulties or a history of non-payment.
Our Family Lawyers will help you understand your legal position, explore all available options, and take practical steps to secure a fair outcome. Our Child Maintenance Solicitors can assist with:
Reaching new Child Support Agreements through negotiation or solicitor-led correspondence
Taking action when informal arrangements break down or stop without warning
Reviewing CMS decisions where income, shared care or employment status has been misrepresented
Applying to the court for a financial order where needed
Responding to non-payment, reduced contributions or long-standing arrears
Advising in cases involving self-employment, undisclosed income or deliberate avoidance
We know how important it is to have a reliable, realistic arrangement in place. Our job is to reduce the pressure and help you protect your child’s financial wellbeing with clear, practical legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions for Child Maintenance Agreements
+ Can We Use a Solicitor Instead of the CMS?
Yes. While the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is one way to arrange payments, many parents prefer to work with a solicitor, especially where communication has broken down or there's a history of missed payments. Using a solicitor can offer a more personal, responsive approach, with greater flexibility in the terms of your agreement.
At Farnworth Rose, our Child Maintenance Solicitors in Burnley can help you negotiate a clear, fair agreement and ensure it reflects your child’s needs while avoiding unnecessary conflict.
+ Can We Make a Private Child Maintenance Agreement?
Yes, private agreements are allowed and often work well where both parents can cooperate. This type of arrangement gives you more control over how much is paid, when it’s paid and how it’s used, without needing involvement from the CMS or the courts.
However, it’s important to put the agreement in writing and seek legal advice if there’s any uncertainty. Our Child Maintenance Agreement Solicitors can help draft or review your agreement to ensure it’s fair, workable, and clearly understood by both sides.
+ How Is Child Maintenance Calculated by the CMS?
The CMS works out payments using a structured formula based on the paying parent’s gross weekly income and a few other key factors. The aim is to make sure the contribution is fair and consistent, taking into account both parents’ circumstances and the child’s needs.
The CMS obtains the paying parent’s income details directly from HM Revenue & Customs. This figure is then adjusted for any pension contributions or other children the parent already supports before being converted into a weekly amount. Once income is confirmed, CMS applies a rate depending on the income band:
- Below £7 per week: No maintenance is payable
- £7 to £100 per week (or if receiving benefits): Flat rate of £7
- £100.01 to £199.99 per week: Reduced rate – £7 plus a small percentage on income above £100
- £200 to £800 per week: Basic rate – a percentage based on how many children are supported (usually 12% for one child, 16% for two, and 19% for three or more)
- £800.01 to £3,000 per week: Basic Plus rate – a lower percentage (9–15%) applied to income above £800
If the paying parent earns more than £3,000 per week, the CMS calculation is capped, but the receiving parent can apply to the court for additional support.
The calculation also considers shared care. If the child stays overnight with the paying parent, maintenance is reduced in proportion to how many nights are spent in their care.
This system aims to provide a balanced contribution that reflects each parent’s income and the child’s living arrangements. If you’re unsure whether the assessment is fair or believe the figures don’t reflect your true circumstances, our Child Maintenance Solicitors can review the calculation and explain your options for a challenge or variation.
+ Can I Challenge a Child Maintenance Calculation?
Yes, you can challenge a CMS calculation if you believe it’s inaccurate or unfair. This is often necessary when the paying parent hasn’t declared all of their income, or when shared care arrangements have been misreported.
You can request a variation through the CMS to have the case reviewed. This might apply if there’s evidence of hidden earnings, income from self-employment, or other financial circumstances that weren’t considered properly.
If the CMS process doesn’t resolve the issue, you may be able to appeal or apply to court, especially if the child’s needs aren’t being met. Our Child Support Dispute Lawyers can help you prepare a strong case and guide you through each step of the process.
+ Do I Still Have to Pay If I Don’t See My Child?
Yes, child maintenance must still be paid even if you don’t currently have contact with your child. The legal obligation to contribute financially is separate from your contact or visitation rights, and non-payment can lead to enforcement action by the CMS.
If you’re being denied contact, that’s a separate issue which may need to be resolved through a Child Arrangement Order or further legal advice. But withholding payments in protest will not improve your position and could harm your case.
Our Child Maintenance Solicitors in Burnley can advise on both your financial responsibilities and your parental rights, helping you move forward with clarity and support.
+ What If We Already Have an Informal Agreement That’s No Longer Working?
Informal child maintenance agreements can work well when both parents are cooperative. But if one parent stops paying, refuses to communicate, or changes the terms without agreement, it can quickly become stressful and unfair.
If this happens, you have a few options. You can apply to the CMS to set up a formal assessment, or seek legal advice to help reach a more structured arrangement. If the other parent continues to ignore their obligations, further enforcement may be needed.
Our Child Support Lawyers in Burnley can help you review your current situation and guide you towards a solution that protects your child’s wellbeing and provides long-term peace of mind.
+ What Can I Do If the Other Parent Stops Paying?
If the other parent stops making maintenance payments, it’s important to act quickly. Start by keeping a clear record of missed payments and any communication attempts. If you have a CMS arrangement in place, you can report the non-payment and they may take enforcement action, including deductions from wages or bank accounts.
If you're relying on an informal or private agreement, you may need to involve the CMS or seek legal advice to formalise the arrangement. Repeated non-payment can also be grounds for applying to court for a financial order.
Our Child Maintenance Solicitors can help you take the appropriate steps to recover payments and prevent further disruption.
+ What Legal Action Can Be Taken for Missed Child Maintenance Payments?
When a parent refuses to pay child maintenance, there are several enforcement options available. If the case is handled by the CMS, they can take action such as wage deductions, enforcement through the courts, or even applying for a charging order on property in serious cases.
If you’ve reached a court-ordered agreement and the terms are being ignored, you may be able to apply for enforcement through the family court. This can include court orders for arrears or further penalties for non-compliance.
Our Child Support Lawyers have experience dealing with enforcement matters and can help you take decisive action to protect your child’s financial security.
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Contact our Child Maintenance Solicitors
Sorting out child maintenance can be one of the most emotionally and financially stressful parts of separation, especially when communication has broken down or there are concerns about fairness. If you're unsure where you stand, or struggling with non-payment, our Child Law Solicitors are here to guide you with clear, practical advice.
Our experienced Child Maintenance Solicitors in Lancashire are based in Nelson, near Burnley. We help parents resolve financial support issues with care, professionalism and a focus on achieving long-term security for their children.
With over 35 years of combined legal experience, Farnworth Rose is trusted by families across the region to help with Child Support Disputes, private maintenance agreements and CMS-related problems. We’ll take time to understand your situation, explain your options and help you take the next step with confidence.
As a full-service firm of Solicitors in Burnley and Nelson, we offer a complete family law service, from maintenance and child arrangements to court representation and ongoing legal support. Our commitment to client care and straightforward advice has made us a trusted name across Lancashire and beyond.
We regularly help clients with Child Maintenance Agreements and disputes in Preston, Manchester, Blackburn, Rochdale and Bolton, as well as across the Pennines in Bradford, Huddersfield, Skipton, Keighley and surrounding areas.
To speak with one of our Child Maintenance Solicitors, call us today on 01282 695 400 or complete the form below, and we’ll be in touch to help.