Spouse maintenance is where one partner continues to financially support the other partner following the separation. It is distinct from a property settlement and it is a payment in addition to any child support payable.

A lot of people are unaware that they may be entitled to a spouse maintenance payment. We can assist you by providing you with knowledge and understanding of any possible rights you might have in this regard. We can also negotiate a reasonable outcome for you and have it appropriately finalised and documented.

The purpose of a spouse maintenance payment is to ensure that the disadvantaged financial partner is looked after and able to move forward with his/her own life. The spouse maintenance might only be paid for a defined period, for example:

• until a finalised property settlement takes place;

• until a young child is a little older so that the primary carer can return to work; or

• until a person is able to undertake and complete some further training to enable that person to re-enter the work force and earn an income.