CHILD MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Important jurisdiction and formalities warning
This fictional agreement is an illustrative private arrangement, not legal advice and not a universally enforceable substitute for a statutory calculation or court order. England and Wales have specific child-maintenance rules, including the Child Maintenance Service, jurisdictional provisions, variation rules and enforcement powers. Parents cannot contract out of a child's welfare or any mandatory obligation. Each parent should provide honest financial information and obtain independent advice, particularly if there are other children, overseas income, shared care, domestic abuse or disagreement. Check whether a solicitor's deed, court order, prescribed calculation or registration is required.
1. Parents and child
This agreement is made on 22 October 2026 between Sophie Amara Wells, of 29 Hazelbank Road, Reading RG2 7DP, and Nathaniel James Wells, of 6 Moorfield Terrace, Reading RG1 4QH. We are the parents of Isla Rose Wells, born 17 March 2018. We separated on 5 September 2025. The child ordinarily lives with Sophie, and Nathaniel spends time with Isla under a separate child-arrangements plan.
We make this agreement to record contributions to Isla's everyday upbringing. We will put Isla's welfare first, communicate respectfully and review the arrangement when circumstances materially change. Nothing here decides where Isla lives, limits a court's jurisdiction, or prevents either parent seeking a statutory assessment or order.
2. Financial information
Sophie is employed by Cedar & Finch Architects Ltd and presently earns approximately £41,600 gross per year. She pays rent of £1,240 per month, council tax of £156 per month and ordinary household expenses for Isla. Nathaniel is employed by Westmoor Rail Services and presently earns approximately £57,900 gross per year, with variable overtime averaging £320 per month. He lives with a partner and has no other dependent child. Each parent confirms that these figures are honest estimates as at the date of signature and will tell the other of a material change.
Each parent may ask for reasonable evidence of income when reviewing the amount, such as payslips, annual statements or self-employed accounts. Financial information will be used only for maintenance discussions or lawful administration and will not be shared unnecessarily. Neither parent promises an amount that would leave them unable to meet a mandatory obligation.
3. Monthly maintenance
From 1 November 2026, Nathaniel will pay Sophie £640 on the first working day of each month by standing order to the account notified in writing. The reference will be “Isla maintenance.” Payment is for Isla's food, clothing, housing contribution, utilities, ordinary activities, school needs and other everyday costs. It is not payment for contact, a reward for time spent, or a condition of either parent's relationship with Isla.
If a payment is late, Nathaniel will tell Sophie promptly and pay it within five working days unless they agree a written temporary plan. Sophie will keep a simple record of dates and amounts, and Nathaniel may request a copy each quarter. A receipt or bank record does not prevent the CMS or a court calculating a different liability.
4. Additional expenses
The parents will share agreed extraordinary expenses in proportion to their gross annual incomes, currently approximately 42 percent for Sophie and 58 percent for Nathaniel. Extraordinary expenses include school residential trips, essential school uniform costing more than £120 in one purchase, prescribed medical or dental treatment not covered by the NHS, and a mutually agreed activity costing more than £300 in a year. The parent proposing an expense will send the details and a reasonable estimate before commitment, except in an emergency.
After an agreed expense is paid, the other parent will reimburse their share within fourteen days on receiving the invoice and proof of payment. Ordinary gifts, holidays chosen by one parent, fines, personal debts and costs caused by an adult's voluntary choice are not shared under this clause.
5. Review and public arrangements
The parents will review the amount on 1 April 2027, then every twelve months, and sooner after a change of employment, income, overnight care, school, disability or the needs of Isla. They will first discuss the change and record any amendment in a dated writing signed by both. If they cannot agree, either may use CMS or seek legal advice without being accused of breaching this document.
The parents will maintain appropriate records and notify one another of a new address, email or telephone number within fourteen days. They will not withhold maintenance because a visit is missed, and neither will withhold contact because money is disputed. Safeguarding concerns should be reported to the appropriate service or court rather than used as a bargaining device.
6. Signatures
Sophie Amara Wells: Signature ____________________ Date: 22 October 2026
Nathaniel James Wells: Signature ____________________ Date: 22 October 2026
Witness, Harriet Louise Cole, 41 Kingsmead Walk, Reading RG1 6JN: Signature ____________________
Each parent confirms that they understand this document, sign voluntarily, have had an opportunity to obtain separate advice, and understand that a court, CMS decision or later law may override all or part of it.