Spousal Maintenance and De Facto Partner Maintenance
Spousal maintenance or de facto partner maintenance is financial support provided by one party to a relationship, marriage or de facto, to their former partner in circumstances where they are unable to adequately support themselves. As de facto maintenance suggests, you do not need to be married to be entitled to or have to pay spousal maintenance.
The basis for such payments is found in the Family Law Act 1975, which states that a person has a responsibility to assist their former partner financially when and if their partner is unable to meet their expenses using only their personal income. These expenses must be reasonable.
The requirement to financially assist a former partner can continue after separation and divorce are finalised. The amount that is required to be paid in any one case varies as it will also depend on what the maintaining party is capable of paying.
Factors taken into consideration in determining spousal maintenance
If a maintenance order is being considered by the court it will look at the needs of the party claiming the maintenance as well as the other parties ability to pay. The following factors are relevant to both parties in determining when and what to pay:
- Age
- Health
- Income
- Any property owned by you
- Your financial resources
- Employment or your ability to work
- A suitable standard of living
- Whether the marriage has affected your ability to earn
- Whether you have children living with you
- Whether you have an adult child who is disabled who lives with you
- Any other factor the court considers relevant.
It is worth noting that a suitable standard of living does not necessarily mean the same as that prior to the breakdown of the relationship. The standard of living will be assessed according to what is “reasonable in all the circumstances.”
Similarly, the weight of each factor varies depending on the unique circumstances of the individuals in question. Spousal maintenance is not a right nor is it automatic. Parties who simply choose not to exercise their earning capacity will not receive maintenance or avoid paying it. Examples of situations likely to be eligible for maintenance include:
- One party cannot work as they were providing full time care to children at home
- One party has an illness which prevents them from working
- Where one party has been out of the workforce for a significant period of time and has become unskilled
- Where one party has been out of the workplace for a significant period of time and has become unemployable due to age.
Payment of maintenance
Maintenance can be paid in the form of regular, periodic payments, one lump sum payment or a combination of the two. It is also not uncommon for maintenance to terminate upon the occurrence of a specific condition or event i.e. until a person gains employment or finishes training.
I am already paying or receiving child support
Child support is separate to maintenance. It is made for the benefit of the children and is made in its own right. Likewise, maintenance is made as a result of a set of different factors and is focused on your former partner. Children living with your former partner will be taken into account but it is not determinative.
I am in a new relationship – does this affect spousal maintenance?
Marriage
Spousal maintenance will no longer be available if you marry another person – however the court may order otherwise.
New de facto relationships
The court will look at the financial relationship between you and your new de facto partner in deciding if you can support yourself effectively.
Time Limits
Married
Any application for spousal maintenance is required to be made within 12 months of your divorce becoming final.
De facto relationship
Any application for de facto partner maintenance is required to be made within 2 years of the breakdown of the relationship. Outside of these limits requires permission from the court. This is not granted lightly.
Conclusion
Spousal and de facto maintenance is a complex area of law. It is important to note that every case is different and will be decided upon its individual merits. Legal advice should be sought in the event that you think this does, or does not, apply to you and team of our friendly lawyers can assist in providing advice to you in this regard.
