Assumption: "If I use the Child Maintenance Service, they'll make sure my ex pays — that's their job and they'll enforce it."
1 min readThis content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
What People Expect
The Child Maintenance Service guarantees payment by forcing the paying parent to pay through Collect and Pay.
Court Reality
In Q1 2026, nearly 61,000 Collect and Pay cases had ZERO payment — out of 350,000 total cases. The CMS is overwhelmed and enforcement is slow. Using the CMS is a starting point, not a guarantee. A BBC Panorama investigation in August 2026 found parents on both sides pushed to breaking point by a system struggling to cope.
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The Gap?
"If I use the Child Maintenance Service, they'll make sure my ex pays — that's their job and they'll enforce it."
Court Reality
In Q1 2026, nearly 61,000 Collect and Pay cases had ZERO payment — out of 350,000 total cases. The CMS is overwhelmed and enforcement is slow. Using the CMS is a starting point, not a guarantee. A BBC Panorama investigation in August 2026 found parents on both sides pushed to breaking point by a system struggling to cope.
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