Spousal Maintenance

What Is Spousal Maintenance

When couples separate, particularly in cases where finances are intermingled or where one party has been out of the workforce to raise children, it is common for one party to be at a financial disadvantage. This is because there is now the cost of running two households on the same income previously used for one household.

Spousal Maintenance is financial support provided by one partner to the other to assist with their everyday living expenses. It can be paid periodically, for instance week by week, or by way of lump sum payment.

Spousal Maintenance may be payable:

On an urgent basis;
By way of lump sum payment;
On an interim basis until a final determination of your matter;
On a final basis for a specified period;
On a final basis indefinitely, until varied by subsequent Court Order.

How do you qualify for Spousal Maintenance?

You qualify for Spousal Maintenance if you can establish the following two criteria:

You have a need for financial support as you cannot meet your reasonable living expenses from your personal income or assets; and
Your spouse has the income earning capacity to pay you Spousal Maintenance.

In determining these matters, the following factors are taken into account:

Your age and health;
Your income, property, and financial resources;
Your ability to work;
What is a suitable standard of living;
With whom the children live;
If the marriage has affected your ability to earn an income.

Are there any time limitations on claiming Spousal Maintenance?

For married couples, you must make a Spousal Maintenance Application within 12 months after your Divorce becomes final.

For de facto couples, you must make a Spousal Maintenance Application within 2 years after the date your relationship ended.

If you have missed the relevant time limitation period, it is possible for you to seek permission from the Court to file a Spousal Maintenance Application, but this is not granted automatically.

Where to from here?

We have been successful in assisting clients with preparing and defending Applications for Spousal Maintenance.

To find out more information or to arrange an appointment, please contact Kathy Matri on 02 4322 0251 or email us at [email protected]