Child Maintenance Calculator for High Earners

Under the Child Support Act 1991, the statutory child maintenance calculation stops at a gross income ceiling of £3,000 per week (£156,000 per year). Regardless of whether a paying parent earns £200,000, £500,000, or £5,000,000 per year, the CMS statutory assessment is strictly capped:

• • 1 Child Maximum CMS: £294.00 per week (£15,288/year)
• • 2 Children Maximum CMS: £392.00 per week (£20,384/year)
• • 3+ Children Maximum CMS: £465.00 per week (£24,180/year)

Once the maximum CMS assessment has been generated, Section 8(6) of the Child Support Act 1991 unlocks the jurisdiction of the Family Court. The receiving parent can apply for a 'top-up' order under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

In determining top-up orders, judges follow leading authorities such as CB v KB [2019] and Re P (Child: Financial Provision), evaluating the child's standard of living, school fees, and reasonable housing needs.

Private school tuition and educational costs are not included in standard CMS assessments. Under Section 8(7) of the Child Support Act 1991, the Family Court retains exclusive jurisdiction to order a parent to pay school fees, uniforms, and extracurricular costs directly, even if income is below the £156k cap.