Official form guide
Form 54.19 Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976, section 9(3) - Summons to discharge direction that payments under *maintenance/*variation/*interim order be made to the District Court Clerk
This form is a Summons used within the District Court. It relates specifically to payments made under an existing order concerning maintenance for spouses or children (under the Family Law Act 1976). You use it to formally notify the court that certain payment directions are being discharged.
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Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 54.19 Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976, section 9(3) - Summons to discharge direction that payments under *maintenance/*variation/*interim order be made to the District Court Clerk
This form is a Summons used within the District Court. It relates specifically to payments made under an existing order concerning maintenance for spouses or children (under the Family Law Act 1976). You use it to formally notify the court that certain payment directions are being discharged.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Do not forget to reference the specific Maintenance Order number.
- 2Omitting the original maintenance order details
- 3Incorrectly stating the discharge date
- 4Failing to name the relevant parties
- 5Not specifying if it's a variation or interim order discharge
Plain English
Simply put, this form tells the District Court that a specific financial arrangement regarding spousal or child support is ending or changing. It confirms when and how payments should stop or shift from one party to another. Think of it as officially closing out a payment chapter in your family law case.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed deadline mentioned in the title, but it must be lodged promptly after the payment direction ceases or changes.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
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What this form is for
- You need this form when payments are currently being made, but you want to officially stop or change how they are paid.
- Use it after a maintenance order has been made (or varied) and you need the court to acknowledge the payment method change.
- It is used to discharge specific directions about *where* the money should go (e.g., changing from one party's bank account to another).
- This form relates directly to orders under Section 9(3) of the Family Law Act 1976.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Starting a brand new maintenance order
This summons only discharges/changes an existing payment direction.
✓ Check if you are starting from scratch.
Changing the amount of maintenance
If you change the *amount* but not just where it goes, ensure this form covers that aspect or use a specific variation form.
✓ Confirm if payment direction is the only thing changing.
Form 54.19 (or related variation form)
Discharging an entire order
If you are ending all maintenance payments completely, check for a more general 'discharge' form.
✓ Not confirmed in official source (check related forms).
Interim Order Payment Change
This is the specific form for notifying the District Court Clerk about payment changes under interim orders.
✓ Confirm if the order was interim or final.
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed deadline mentioned in the title, but it must be lodged promptly after the payment direction ceases or changes.
Before you submit
- 1Have you clearly specified *which* maintenance order this summons relates to?
- 2Is the exact nature of the discharge/change clearly stated (e.g., 'discharge payment to X bank account')?
- 3Are all parties involved in the existing order correctly named on the form?
- 4Did you include a copy of the original Maintenance Order document?
- 5If applicable, is there a supporting affidavit or documentation attached explaining *why* the change is needed?
- 6Have you signed and dated the summons yourself (the person filing it)?
- 7Is the District Court Clerk's relevant contact information present?
How to file this form
- 1Complete all sections of Form 54.19 thoroughly.
- 2Attach necessary supporting documents (e.g., bank statements, previous order copy).
- 3Sign and date the form in the designated area.
- 4Submit the completed package to the appropriate District Court office.
- 5Ask for a stamped or acknowledged copy upon submission.
Known limitations
- 1This summons only addresses payment *directions*, not necessarily the underlying right to maintenance itself. Not confirmed in official source regarding scope limits.
- 2It does not automatically guarantee the court will accept the discharge; it is a request/summons.
- 3The specific District Court receiving the form must be correct based on where the original order was made or is active.
- 4If both parties disagree with the change, this summons alone may not resolve the issue.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->This summons remains active for use within the District Court. It specifically deals with formalizing changes to existing maintenance payment directions under the 1976 Act.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Verify the exact date of the current version printed on the form.
- Check if any new required fields have appeared since your last use.
- Confirm the precise citation: Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976, section 9(3).
- Ensure the issuing body is correctly listed as the Courts Service of Ireland.
- Check if there are specific instructions regarding digital submission vs. hard copy.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 23/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCAgency: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
- SRCForm Number: 54.19
- SRCLegislation Cited: Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act 1976, section 9(3)
- SRCJurisdiction: District Court
- SRCNot confirmed in official source regarding the exact digital submission portal name.
Common confusion points
Confusing it with Form 54.18: Remember, 54.19 discharges/changes *payment*, while others might establish or vary the core maintenance duty.
Thinking filing this means the change is instant: The court must process the summons to make the discharge official.
Not specifying the payment detail clearly: If you just write 'change payments' without saying *what* they are changing to, it causes delays.
Assuming the other party agrees: You file this even if the recipient doesn't agree; they can challenge it later.
Source transparency
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