How much child maintenance is feasible?

[countrygirl13]

Hi,
The child contact with my ex has changed and he now has our daughter every other weekend rather than every other week. He’s asking how much maintenance I want him to pay but hasn’t disclosed his wages. I’m happy for it not to go through CMS and sort it ourselves but I have no idea what to ask for. I’d appreciate any input on an ‘average’ amount. He’s earning more than £30k but not sure how much more. Thank you

there’s a calculator for this

You need to know his actual salary, then you can pop it into the calculator on the CMS website and that will tell you how much he should be paying

Out of order for him to ask you to pluck a number out of thin air. Presumably he knows what he earns and how much is due but is hope you will ask for less?

I would also give a number based on a very high estimate of what he could be earning. If complains then tell him it would be simpler to just get CMS to sort it to avoid conflict.

Tell him based on his salary of £70K he has to pay X
If he argues say as he won't disclose his salary you are doing it yourself.
If he wants it changed then he can show you his pay.
Alternatively don't mess around and just go through CMS.

Just go through CM. Let them deal with it. I think it's better to have a bit of separation from it. They handle the cash side. Besides he wants you to just pluck a figure out of thin air.

Just say it's usually around 20% of salary.

Send him the calculator

Dear ex, if you won't voluntarily disclose your salary then I will have no choice but to take it through CMS who will notify me of your salary and pension contributions. I think it would be easier to work this out between us but can't do that without the necessary information. All the best, Countrygirl.

Go through CMS!! They don't have to collect straight from his wages unless he fails to pay. It costs £20 (or did when I set mine up). They look at his actual earnings with HMRC and every year they review it to take into account any pay rises or pay decreases. How else will you know what he tells you he earns is correct? Will he be telling you about pay rises? Too many children get stung out of money for their support by their fathers. You potentially fail your child by trying to keep it nice. You can still be nice and go through CMS, just tell him you were not sure on the appropriate amount so decided CMS was best