The calculation is only as good as the evidence behind it
A CMS decision may look official and still be wrong. Income may have been misunderstood, arrears may have been calculated from the wrong date, shared care may have been recorded incorrectly, historic payments may be missing, or a variation issue may not have been properly considered.
The answer is not a long emotional letter. The answer is a structured challenge supported by the right documents.
Common CMS dispute issues
Common issues include wrong gross income, self-employed income disputes, dividend or company income, undeclared earnings, variation applications, diversion of income, shared-care nights, arrears schedules, direct payment evidence and enforcement action.
The key is to isolate the decision being challenged. A CMS case may contain several decisions, but only some may be within time or capable of reconsideration or appeal.
The pitfalls CMS adjudicators and parties miss
Mistakes often arise because evidence is scattered. Payslips sit in one email chain, tax returns in another, bank records elsewhere, and the decision notice is treated as background rather than the central document.
Another common pitfall is confusing complaint, mandatory reconsideration and appeal. Each has a different purpose. If the legal route is wrong, the strongest evidence may not be considered in the right way.
How Fenton Marsh & Co helps
We can help organise CMS decisions, arrears schedules, income evidence, payment records, correspondence, shared-care evidence and variation material into a coherent challenge. Where appropriate, we can prepare mandatory reconsideration submissions, tribunal appeal materials, evidence schedules, bundles and speaking notes.
This is thorough legal document work at controlled cost, avoiding the immediate burden of a full solicitor retainer where focused preparation is enough. We prepare and guide; you send, file, appeal or attend unless another lawful arrangement is expressly agreed.