Spousal maintenance is payable if there is a substantial difference in the incomes of the spouses when they separate.
Spousal support is the recognition in a marriage or a de facto relationship of the mutual obligations of both parties to maintain each other.
Many people do not realise that they may be required to pay or be entitled to receive payments of spousal support from their former partner. Spousal maintenance is completely separate from child support or child maintenance.
Child support and child maintenance are paid for the support of the children.
Spousal maintenance is paid for the support of the former partner.
