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54.7  Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 Section 5A(1) As Amended

This form is used to apply for a maintenance order under Irish family law for financial support of spouses and children. It is typically submitted when one party seeks court-ordered financial support from another following separation or divorce.

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Form Overview

54.7  Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 Section 5A(1) As Amended

This form is used to apply for a maintenance order under Irish family law for financial support of spouses and children. It is typically submitted when one party seeks court-ordered financial support from another following separation or divorce.

The form captures personal details of both parties, information about any children, financial circumstances, and the specific maintenance amount being requested.

Risk Radar

  • Ensure all financial figures are accurate and up-to-date before submission.
  • Incomplete financial information leading to incorrect maintenance calculations
  • Missing required documentation that delays processing
  • Incorrect personal details of parties involved
  • Failure to account for all relevant income sources

Plain English

This form helps you legally request financial support from your spouse or former spouse for yourself and/or your children. It's part of the Irish legal process for ensuring financial responsibilities are formally recognized and enforced by the court.

Submission Date

  • There is no strict deadline for filing, but maintenance applications should be submitted as soon as possible after separation to ensure financial support is established promptly.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • Use when seeking maintenance for yourself or your children
  • Use when you need to modify an existing maintenance order
  • Use when formalizing maintenance agreements through the court
  • Do not use for temporary maintenance arrangements
  • Do not use for maintenance claims outside of marriage or civil partnership

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Divorce proceedingsForm 54.8 (Divorce)Different legal processCourt jurisdiction requirements
Civil separationForm 54.6 (Judicial Separation)Different legal outcomeSeparation vs divorce implications
Child maintenance onlyForm 14A (Maintenance Application)Simplified processWhether spousal maintenance is also needed
Urgent maintenanceForm 54.9 (Interim Maintenance)Temporary urgent needsWhether temporary order is sufficient

Deadline or filing window

There is no strict deadline for filing, but maintenance applications should be submitted as soon as possible after separation to ensure financial support is established promptly.

Before you submit

  • All personal details completed accurately
  • Financial information fully disclosed
  • Child details and expenses included
  • Supporting documentation attached
  • Court fee payment included or exemption claimed
  • Form signed and dated
  • Copy retained for personal records

How to file this form

  1. 1Obtain the correct form from the Courts Service of Ireland
  2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information
  3. 3Gather supporting financial documentation
  4. 4Submit the completed form to the appropriate court
  5. 5Pay the required court fee or apply for exemption
  6. 6Attend any required court hearings
  7. 7Wait for the court's decision on your application

Known limitations

  • This form does not cover emergency maintenance requests
  • Does not address property division matters
  • Cannot be used for maintenance claims outside Ireland
  • Does not automatically enforce payment - requires separate enforcement action
  • Limited scope for addressing complex financial arrangements

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Current Form Status

This form is current as of the information provided, but always check the Courts Service of Ireland website for the most recent version.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check for any recent amendments to the Family Law Act
  • Verify current court fees for maintenance applications
  • Confirm required documentation checklist
  • Check if online submission is now available
  • Verify current financial assessment guidelines

Quick Facts

This form is typically completed by a spouse or former spouse seeking maintenance payments, or by legal representatives acting on their behalf.
The form captures personal details of both parties, information about any children, financial circumstances, and the specific maintenance amount being requested.
Submit this form when you need to establish or modify a maintenance order, typically during or after separation or divorce proceedings.
Submit this form to the relevant Circuit Court or District Court in Ireland, depending on your specific circumstances and court location.
Submitting correctly ensures your maintenance request is properly considered by the court and prevents unnecessary delays in obtaining financial support.
Complete all sections with accurate personal and financial information. Attach any required supporting documents. Submit the completed form to the appropriate court with the correct fee.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
23/10/25

54.7  Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 Section 5A(1) As Amended

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After you file

  • Keep track of court dates and deadlines
  • Maintain copies of all submitted documents
  • Monitor for court correspondence
  • Prepare for potential court hearing
  • Follow up if you haven't received a response within expected timeframe
  • Consider legal advice if the application is contested

Source and verification log

  • Form name and number provided in query
  • Issuing agency: Courts Service of Ireland
  • Legal basis: Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 Section 5A(1)
  • Maintenance purpose confirmed from form name
  • Specific court submission process not confirmed in official source
  • Current form status details not confirmed in official source
  • Recent amendments not confirmed in official source
  • Fee amounts not confirmed in official source

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Difference between interim and final maintenance orders

  • 2

    How income from all sources affects maintenance calculations

  • 3

    Duration of maintenance orders for different aged children

  • 4

    Impact of cohabitation on existing maintenance orders

  • 5

    How to modify existing maintenance orders

  • 6

    Tax implications of maintenance payments

  • 7

    Enforcement options if maintenance isn't paid

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