By Michael Thompson
Founder, Falsely Accused Network
After years of running the Falsely Accused Network and helping people navigate the British family court system, I've seen countless parents fall into a dangerous trap: believing that "sovereign citizen" or "freeman of the land" arguments can somehow free them from Child Maintenance Service (CMS) obligations. Let me be absolutely clear - they cannot and will not work. Ever.
The Hard Truth About Sovereign Citizen Arguments
I've heard of hundreds of men trying these arguments. I've heard every variation: claiming the court has no jurisdiction, declaring themselves "sovereign," arguing about capital letters in their name, citing the Magna Carta, or claiming they never consented to the jurisdiction of the CMS. Every single time - without exception - these arguments have failed spectacularly.
What actually happens when you try these arguments:
- The magistrates or judge becomes immediately frustrated
- Your credibility is completely destroyed
- Your case is weakened
- You often end up paying additional court costs
- The CMS calculation remains completely valid
- You can face serious consequences for non-payment
The Child Maintenance Reality
Here's what really happens when you try to use sovereign citizen arguments to avoid paying child maintenance: the arrears keep building up, enforcement actions escalate, and you can end up facing serious consequences including:
- Deduction from Earnings Orders
- Liability Orders through the magistrates' court
- Bailiff action
- Driving licence disqualification
- Passport restrictions
- And in extreme cases, imprisonment for up to six weeks
I've heard of people losing everything because they believed YouTube videos and Facebook groups promising them magical legal solutions. A friend of one member of our network accumulated £30,000 in arrears while insisting his "sovereign" status meant he didn't have to pay. He ended up losing his business, his home, and eventually served time in prison - all while still owing every penny of that maintenance.
Why These Arguments Are Particularly Useless with the CMS
The CMS and family court judges have heard every sovereign citizen argument imaginable, and they're particularly unsympathetic to these tactics. Why? Because child maintenance isn't about you - it's about your child's right to financial support. No amount of pseudo-legal arguments can override the Child Support Act 1991 and subsequent legislation.
The courts view attempts to use sovereign citizen arguments to avoid child maintenance as particularly egregious because:
- It shows a willingness to put ideology above your child's welfare
- It demonstrates bad faith in dealing with your obligations
- It wastes court time and resources
- It often indicates an attempt to evade rather than negotiate
A Better Approach
If you're struggling with child maintenance obligations, there are legitimate ways to address the situation:
- Contact the CMS to report changes in circumstances
- Request a mandatory reconsideration if you disagree with a calculation
- Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal if necessary
- Seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor
- Keep detailed records of your income and payments
- Stay engaged with the process rather than trying to opt out of it
It's wonderful to help dads navigate the child maintenance system in ways that really work. The key to success is understanding how to engage properly with the system - knowing your rights, understanding your responsibilities, and tackling any issues directly. I've found that connecting fathers with organizations that provide practical support is so much more effective than going down the sovereign citizen route.
The Real Cost
The most tragic cases I've seen involve parents who could have worked out reasonable arrangements through the CMS, but instead followed sovereign citizen advice and ended up in much worse situations. They didn't just lose the legal battle - they lost precious time with their children, damaged their relationships irreparably, and sometimes ended up with criminal records.
A Direct Warning
If someone is trying to sell you documents, courses, or advice about using sovereign citizen arguments to avoid the CMS - they're scamming you. Period. These people prey on desperate parents, taking their money while leading them down a path to disaster.
The Bottom Line
I cannot emphasise this enough: sovereign citizen arguments will never get you out of child maintenance obligations. They will only make your situation drastically worse.
The Child Maintenance Service needs serious reform. Parents face real challenges with the system - calculations that seem to come out of nowhere, unexplained arrears appearing on accounts, and enforcement approaches that can be heavy-handed. It's particularly frustrating when you're trying to do the right thing but can't make sense of how payments are being worked out. These systemic issues affect families who are simply trying to ensure their children are supported properly.
However your energy is better spent understanding your actual legal rights and responsibilities, working within the system to address any genuine hardships, and maintaining your focus on what really matters - your relationship with your children.
Don't let pseudo-legal nonsense destroy your life. There are real solutions available, but they require engaging with reality, not fantasy. If you're struggling with maintenance issues, reach out to legitimate organisations like Citizens Advice, contact the CMS directly, or consult with a qualified solicitor who can actually help you navigate the system properly.
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