Other Matters

Maintenance (Fresh Application/Enforcement)

What is maintenance?

Types of maintenance and how they work

Applying for a fresh maintenance order

Income records, such as payslips, employment letters
CPF statements
Financial records, such as bank statements
IRAS Notice of Assessment
List of expenses for the wife / children
Documents and receipts proving personal expenses
List of the applicant’s assets and liabilities
Supporting documents such as receipts for expenses
Supporting documents on the value of the assets / amount of liabilities

Applying to enforce a MO

File application in FJC
Parties will generally attend Court mediation to see if parties can reach an agreement
If there has been more than one application for enforcement filed, the Court may refer the case to the Maintenance Enforcement Division for mediation/conciliation
If unable to settle, Court will give instructions for the case to go to for a hearing

Potential outcomes

After a hearing, the Court may make an order to enforce a MO, and this may include one or more of the following:

Sentencing to imprisonment;
An Attachment of Earnings Order
An Enforcement Order for Attachment of Debt
An order that the defaulting party give a banker’s guarantee against future defaults
An order for the defaulting party to attend financial counseling
An order for the defaulting party to attend financial counseling An order for the defaulting party to perform community service
A show-payment order, which requires the defaulting party to prove to the court on specified dates that payment of arrears or maintenance has been made.

Benefits of having a lawyer

Navigating court system
Advice tailored to the case, on the spot assessment of possible options during mediation
Will not have to take time to attend multiple mentions
Preparation of documents for trial, filing on time
Preparation of the case and documents and presenting the case and evidence effectively in Court

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