Maintenance is an issue which is often not properly understood. Legal advice can help you safely through the minefield of possibilities. 

Legally, one partner does not have a right to be maintained by the other. One is liable to pay maintenance if one is reasonably able to do so and if and only if the other party is unable to support himself or herself. 

The inability could be by reason of the need to care for children, age, physical or mental incapacity for appropriate gainful employment or for any other adequate reason (having regard to a list of factors which the Family Court must consider).

Recent changes to the Family Law Act now enable de facto couples to apply for maintenance.

For more information or to find out whether you may be entitled to receive or required to pay maintenance, contact our team of Family Lawyers.