Family Lawyers Mackay is Mackay Based Family Lawyers with offices in central Mackay. Spousal maintenance is a responsibility you or your ex-partner may have to financially support the other person after separation or divorce. In Queensland, de facto partners may have no right to maintenance if they separated before March 1st, 2009. This does not apply if you separated after this date.
During a divorce or separation hearing, your future needs will be considered when the property is divided. In most cases, the courts require that you endeavour to resolve disputes outside of court. We can assist with dispute resolution services. If you cannot agree, you can apply to the court for a financial order.
Act early to protect your immediate financial needs and your overall financial future.
Under the Family Law Act in Australia, both spouses have a duty to support and maintain each other, even after you have separated or divorced. Essentially, the laws are written such that the extent of the support depends on the following:
- One spouse (the applicant) is unable to adequately meet his or her own reasonable needs; and
- The other spouse (the respondent) has the capacity to pay.
In summary, the judicial officer hearing the matter will try to decide on what is most fair and equitable, based on the following information (for both spouses): When deciding any financial disputes after a divorce proceeding, the Court bases its decisions on the general principles set out in Sections 79(4) and 75(2) of the Family Law Act 1975.
- Your property, financial resources, income and debts
- Whether the children live with you or your former spouse
- Your age and health (which determines future requirements)
- Your ability to earn, and whether this has been affected by the marriage
- What is considered to be a suitable standard of living?
It is necessary that both parties attempt to reach an agreement outside of court, before filing an application for spousal maintenance orders.
When spousal maintenance applications are filed with either the Family Court or the Federal Circuit Court (Federal Magistrates Court), both parties are ordered to undergo “pre-action procedures” including participation in a dispute resolution.
Family Lawyers Mackay is Australian Family Lawyers located in Mackay, specializing in any area of Family Law, including Spousal Maintenance.
Spousal maintenance is not automatically granted and often is considered as part of an overall settlement of financial matters.
In rare cases, such as situations involving child abuse, urgency, family violence or fraud, the Court may accept that it is not possible or appropriate for the pre-action procedures to be carried out.
Applications for spousal maintenance must be lodged within 12 months of a divorce becoming final. Later applications require special permission from the court, but this is not always granted. Always seek advice to know your legal options.
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