Laws were created to guide the citizens of the country. There are basic laws that are similar in most of the nation. Here we will discuss basic information about Singapore child maintenance law. This comes under the family law, which focuses on how child maintenance should be handled during the marriage and after separation. This is to ensure a proper standard of living for the child.
What does the law say?
- The law defines who is responsible to pay for the child’s maintenance after the divorce.
- As per the law, the age eligibility to attain the maintenance is until 21 years, irrespective of whether they live with their parents or not. This applies to a child born out of a marriage and adopted child.
- There are special considerations where the child may continue to receive the maintenance even after attaining the age of 21.
- If a child has a disability, they can continue to have the maintenance even after attaining the age of 21.
- There is no specific amount fixed for a children’s maintenance. The Singapore child maintenance law ensures that the child gets the same standard of living that, they had before the separation. It should cover the child’s education, medical costs, and living.
When should you apply for child maintenance?
- The process of applying for the maintenance can start before or during the divorce proceedings.
- After this, the court will send summons to the concerned parents. There will be a court mediator who will ask both the parents for their expenses and income and their proposal amount.
- If both agree to the proposed settlement amount, then an agreement is recorded in the court.
- If not, they will be sent to the district judge who will determine and decide the settlement amount.
Who can apply?
The custodial parent can apply for child maintenance. A guardian who agrees to take care of the child. An older sibling who is more than 21 years of age.
How does the law enforce it?
- Singapore law enforcement is considered to be stringent.
- If one does not abide by the judgment they may be forced to prison. So it is always good to ensure that the proposed maintenance amount is paid to children timely.
- Usually, maintenance is paid every month/one-time settlement.
- Even if the obliged parent is not in a position to pay for the maintenance financially, the law does not spare them. They will be prisoned. It doesn’t mean if they served prison time, they are free from paying maintenance. They still are obliged to make the maintenance.
Conclusion
It is always advisable to get in touch with a good family lawyer for all the proceedings. Be it applying for separation, child custody, the settlement proposal agreement. They help you in filing necessary applications and all the legal documents that the court may ask for. Many private lawyers take care of these proceedings. You may find such law agencies on the internet and get in touch with them. Hope the basic information about Singapore child maintenance law is helpful.
