Do you have to respond to the Child Maintenance Service?

If the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) contacts you as a potential parent responsible for the payment of child maintenance; you have 14 days to respond to their contact by phone or letter. If you refuse to respond, the CMS may proceed with a maintenance calculation based on information they already have, which is likely to be higher than your actual financial liability.

They can also take enforcement action against you such as deductions from your wages, bank account or benefits without your agreement, or a court order.

Failing to provide the CMS with information, or knowingly giving false information, can also result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.