The state, acting through the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), now has primary jurisdiction for assessing and enforcing child maintenance. The court only has residual powers to make financial orders for the benefit of children. Where unmarried parents cannot agree over this issue and the CMS cannot assist further due to statutory restrictions on the extent of its powers, it is sometimes necessary to make an application to the court for financial orders to provide for maintenance, lumps sums and the settlement or transfer of property to meet the child’s needs. This is a complex area and requires expert advice and guidance to ensure that any application is appropriate and proportionate in the individual’s circumstances.