Father Challenges Child Maintenance Payments for Teenage Daughter He Rarely Sees
An estimated 790,000 parents in the UK are required to pay child maintenance through the government's statutory service, but recent figures from September 2025 reveal a troubling trend: a quarter of these parents pay less than 90% of their owed amount, while another quarter pay nothing at all. In a recent case highlighted in Metro's Money Problem column, 45-year-old Mark from Wigan has sparked controversy by questioning his financial responsibilities towards his 14-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.
The Financial Dilemma of a Divorced Father
Mark, who earns approximately £80,000 annually, is divorced from his first wife and has since remarried. He has a teenage daughter from his first marriage, who lives with her mother in Alnwick, while Mark resides in Wigan with his current wife and their two young sons. Neither his ex-wife nor his current wife is employed, adding to the financial pressure. Mark expresses frustration over paying what he perceives as an excessive percentage of his income in child support for a daughter he rarely sees.
"Why should I still pay this much every month for a daughter I barely see and a woman I don't love anymore?" Mark asked. "She's 14 now, it's not like it was when she needed constant care – she can look after herself so why doesn't her mother get a job and stop relying on me?"
Legal and Moral Obligations Explained
In response, consumer champion Sarah Davidson provided a stark rebuttal, emphasizing that child maintenance is not tied to emotional attachments or visitation frequency. Child maintenance is a legal and moral obligation to support one's child, independent of the relationship with the other parent. Davidson clarified that the payments are calculated based on strict formulas by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), not on personal feelings or access arrangements.
For high earners like Mark, the CMS uses a basic rate formula: 12% of gross weekly income for one child. However, adjustments are made for children in the paying parent's current household. With an income of £80,000 per year (about £1,538 weekly gross), Mark's assessable income is reduced by 14% for his two sons, resulting in an adjusted amount of £68,800. The CMS then applies the 12% rate to this figure, leading to an annual payment of roughly £8,256, or £688 per month.
Why Teenagers Cost More and Legal Requirements
Contrary to Mark's assumption that older children are less expensive, Davidson pointed out that teenagers often incur higher costs due to increased food consumption, clothing expenses, school trips, and social activities. Legally, child maintenance must be paid until the child turns 16, or until age 20 if they remain in full-time education, such as studying for A-levels.
Davidson also addressed Mark's complaint about rarely seeing his daughter. If the child stays overnight with the paying parent between 52 and 103 nights per year, payments can be reduced by one-seventh. However, choosing not to exercise visitation rights does not qualify for a discount on financial obligations.
Broader Implications and Public Opinion
This case highlights ongoing debates about child maintenance reforms and parental responsibilities. A poll accompanying the article asked readers for their views on Mark's situation, with options ranging from supporting full payments to advocating for reductions based on other dependents. The discussion underscores the complexity of balancing financial duties across multiple households.
Davidson concluded with a firm admonition: "Stop with the frighteningly selfish self-pity, step up and pay what you owe without the resentment. She is your daughter, and she deserves better than to be viewed as an irritating expense." This response reinforces the message that child support is about ensuring the well-being of the child, not penalizing the paying parent.
