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Divorce Maintenance Settlement Calculator

Estimate statutory child maintenance under the Child Maintenance Service formula.

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Verified for 2026-27Methodology 2026-27.1 · reviewed 2026-08-08 · review by 2027-03-01

Compare scenarios

Change paying parent's gross weekly income to see the effect on your result.

Understand your result

Clear context for the values above.

Paying parent's gross weekly income

Paying parent's gross weekly income is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.

Number of qualifying children

Number of qualifying children is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.

CMS rate on income £200–£800/wk

CMS rate on income £200–£800/wk is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.

CMS rate on income above £800/wk

CMS rate on income above £800/wk is included so you can interpret this estimate and make a better-informed comparison.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter your current paying parent's gross weekly income, number of qualifying children, cms rate on income £200–£800/wk (auto-filled from number of children, editable), cms rate on income above £800/wk (auto-filled from number of children, editable), nights children stay with paying parent (average per week).
  2. 2Review the headline estimated weekly child maintenance and the supporting figures beside it.
  3. 3Change one input at a time to see which assumption has the biggest effect.
  4. 4Confirm current UK rates and thresholds with an official source before acting.

Explore this calculator

What your result means →The headline estimated weekly child maintenance is based on the inputs currently shown above.Key terms explained →Review the assumptions, applicable rules, timing and real-world fees before making a decision.How to use this calculator →Enter your figures, review the live result, compare scenarios, then save or print your estimate.The calculation formula →The calculation follows the standard relationship between the displayed inputs. Results update whenever an input changes.Worked example →Using the current values produces £82.Assumptions and limitations →Review the assumptions, applicable rules, timing and real-world fees before making a decision.Costs or factors not included →Review the assumptions, applicable rules, timing and real-world fees before making a decision.Frequently asked questions →How accurate is this estimate? What should I check before relying on it? Can I save or share the result?

∑ What your result means

There's no fixed formula for spousal maintenance in England & Wales — courts have discretion based on both parties' needs and resources. Child maintenance, however, does follow a statutory formula set by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), which this calculator estimates.

▦ How this calculator works

Under the CMS basic rate, gross weekly income between £200 and £800 is charged at 12%/16%/19% for one, two, or three-or-more children; the portion between £800 and £3,000 is charged at a lower 9%/12%/15%. The result is then reduced for shared care: roughly one-seventh for each average night per week the children stay with the paying parent, up to a 50% reduction for four or more nights.

◇ Assumptions and what's not included

This models only the CMS basic rate for straightforward employed income — it doesn't cover self-employed income variations, the reduced or flat rates for very low incomes, income above £3,000/week (which requires a court top-up application), or spousal maintenance, which has no statutory formula at all.

▤ What to do next

For child maintenance, confirm your figure directly with the Child Maintenance Service. For spousal maintenance or a full financial settlement, get advice from a family law solicitor, since courts weigh needs, contributions and resources rather than applying a formula.

UK-specific contextFigures use GBP and current published rates and thresholds.

Reviewed for clarityUpdated 3 August 2026.

ImportantFor planning and educational use — not tax, legal or financial advice.

Your privacy mattersInputs stay in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a formula for spousal maintenance too?+

No — unlike child maintenance, spousal maintenance in England & Wales is entirely at the court's discretion based on needs, income, and standard of living, with no statutory percentage formula.

What counts as a 'qualifying child'?+

Generally a child under 16 (or under 20 if in full-time non-advanced education) for whom the paying parent isn't the main day-to-day carer.

How does shared care reduce the payment?+

The CMS reduces liability by roughly one-seventh for each average night per week the child stays overnight with the paying parent, capped at a 50% reduction once care is close to equally shared.

What if the paying parent earns above £3,000 a week?+

The CMS basic formula only applies up to £3,000 gross weekly income — above that, the receiving parent can apply to a court for an additional 'top-up' award.

Official references

Rules and thresholds used by this calculator are labelled for 2026–27 or formula-labelled period. Review the primary guidance before making a filing, borrowing, benefit or investment decision.

Last source review: 3 August 2026. Calculator results are estimates and may exclude circumstances described in the methodology.