Divorce & Child Maintenance Calculator

Estimate child maintenance using the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) formula, see the typical costs of divorcing in England & Wales, and understand how assets are usually divided. An estimate to help you plan — not legal advice.

Not legal or financial advice. Not legal or financial advice. Child maintenance figures are estimates of the CMS statutory calculation; the CMS makes the binding assessment. Divorce and financial-settlement outcomes depend on your circumstances — consult a family solicitor or mediator.

Enter an income to estimate maintenance

We'll apply the CMS statutory formula — rate band, other children, and shared care — as you type.

What does a divorce cost?

The court fee is fixed; solicitor costs vary widely by how much you agree between yourselves. Figures for England & Wales.

Divorce application fee: £612
Financial (consent) order fee: £58
Solicitor — uncontested (typical): £600–£1,500
Solicitor — contested / financial proceedings: £5,000–£30,000+

Solicitor figures are typical market ranges, not quotes. Many couples use a fixed-fee online divorce for the process itself and only pay for advice on the finances.

Source: gov.uk EX50 court fees

How are assets split?

50/50 starting pointof matrimonial assets, before section 25 adjustments

There is no fixed formula. The courts start from the principle of a fair division — often 50/50 of the matrimonial assets — then adjust for the factors in section 25 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973: each person's needs and income, the length of the marriage, contributions, and above all the welfare of any children. Pensions can be shared or offset. Spousal maintenance, where it applies, is decided case by case.

Every case is decided on its own facts. This is general information, not legal advice — speak to a family solicitor or a mediator about your situation.

How CMS child maintenance is calculated

The Child Maintenance Service uses the paying parent's gross weekly income to set a rate. Up to £7/week is the nil rate; £7–£100 is a flat £7; £100–£200 is a reduced rate; £200–£800 is the basic rate of 12% (one child), 16% (two) or 19% (three or more); and £800–£3,000 adds 9%/12%/15% on the slice above £800. Income above £3,000 a week is not counted.

The amount is then reduced if the paying parent has other children living with them (by 11%, 14% or 16%), and again for shared care — from one-seventh at 52 nights a year up to half (plus £7/week per child) at 175 nights or more. This calculator applies that formula, but the CMS makes the binding assessment.

Scotland is different

Scots law divides only matrimonial property (broadly, assets built up during the marriage) and applies its own rules. Child maintenance still uses the same UK-wide CMS formula above.