🇮🇪COURTS

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

This form is used for a Maintenance Order under the Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976. Specifically, it relates to Section 5A(1) as amended. You use this when seeking a formal court order regarding financial support between spouses or children.

Need help? AI Editor guides you through every field of 54.7  Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 Section 5A(1) As Amended.

Start filling →

Form Overview

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

This form is used for a Maintenance Order under the Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976. Specifically, it relates to Section 5A(1) as amended. You use this when seeking a formal court order regarding financial support between spouses or children.

The form captures details about the parties involved and outlines the requested maintenance amount. It documents the basis for why the payment is needed under Section 5A(1).

Risk Radar

  • Do not forget to specify which section (5A(1)) you are relying on!
  • Missing documentation proving income/need
  • Incorrectly identifying the paying vs. receiving party
  • Failing to specify the exact amount requested
  • Not referencing Section 5A(1) correctly in the details

Plain English

This is your official request to the Irish Courts for a legally binding maintenance order. It sets out who owes money and how much they must pay. Think of it as asking the judge to sign off on spousal or child support payments.

Submission Date

  • There is no single universal deadline listed here. Submit this form as soon as the maintenance issue arises or when a previous agreement expires.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

AI Assistant

Get field-by-field guidance, auto-fill suggestions, and error detection.

Try it now ->

Glossary Terms

Hover a term to preview the meaning.

What this form is for

  • You need a formal court order regarding financial support between spouses or children.
  • This form is used when the existing arrangement for maintenance needs to be set by the courts.
  • Use this if you are seeking an order under Section 5A(1) of the Family Law Act, 1976.
  • It applies to maintaining a spouse or a child after separation or divorce.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Seeking maintenance for a partner (not parent/child)Form 54.7This specific form covers the Section 5A(1) requirement for spouses.Check if your claim is strictly under S. 5A(1).
Applying for an interim maintenance orderNot confirmed in official sourceIf you need immediate support before a final hearing, check for an interim application form.Don't use this if the order is only temporary.
Seeking maintenance for children (general)Form 54.7While it covers children, ensure your claim specifically fits the S. 5A(1) criteria for spouses/children.Verify the specific section reference on your request.

Deadline or filing window

There is no single universal deadline listed here. Submit this form as soon as the maintenance issue arises or when a previous agreement expires.

Before you submit

  • Ensure both parties' full names and addresses are clearly printed.
  • Confirm the correct relationship (spouse/child) is specified on the relevant sections.
  • Attach copies of necessary supporting documents (e.g., financial statements, proof of income).
  • Sign and date every required section of Form 54.7.
  • Check that you have accurately cited 'Section 5A(1) As Amended' in the title/summary.
  • Verify the correct Court jurisdiction for your application.

How to file this form

  1. 1Complete all sections of Form 54.7 thoroughly using black ink.
  2. 2Gather and attach supporting documentation (e.g., proof of income, joint financial statements).
  3. 3Submit the completed form package to the appropriate Courts Service office.
  4. 4Pay the required filing fee at the time of submission or as directed.
  5. 5Obtain a stamped acknowledgement receipt from the Court Clerk.

Known limitations

  • This form does not guarantee the court will grant the maintenance order you seek.
  • It is specific to Section 5A(1) and may require supplementary forms for other family law claims.
  • The required supporting documentation list might vary based on the specific circumstances of your case.
  • Not confirmed in official source: There may be variations depending on whether you are applying through a solicitor or self-represented.

Almost done reviewing?

✦ Open in AI Editor

Current Form Status

This is the standard form for seeking a Maintenance Order under the Family Law Act 1976. It specifically addresses requirements laid out in Section 5A(1) as it currently stands.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Confirm the exact date of the current form version.
  • Check if any amendments to Section 5A(1) have recently changed required declarations.
  • Verify the designated Court Office where this form must be lodged.
  • Look for changes in the supporting documentation list attached to the form.

Quick Facts

Either spouse, parent, or party involved in the relationship needs to complete this form. The person seeking the order typically fills this out.
The form captures details about the parties involved and outlines the requested maintenance amount. It documents the basis for why the payment is needed under Section 5A(1).
You submit this when you need a court to officially mandate financial support payments. This applies whenever the existing arrangement needs formal legal recognition or change.
Submission usually goes through the Courts Service of Ireland channels. Check if your local district court accepts it online or requires postal delivery.
Submitting incorrectly means the judge might reject your application or set an incorrect payment amount. Accuracy ensures the order reflects your true financial needs.
First, fill in all personal details of yourself and the other party. Next, clearly state the requested maintenance amount and frequency. Finally, attach supporting documents showing income or need before submitting it to the Courts Service.

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

AI-powered guidance for every field

✦ Open in AI Editor

Free to start · No account required

After you file

  • Keep a copy of the filed Form 54.7 for your records.
  • Track the case number assigned by the Court upon filing.
  • Attend any initial hearing dates set by the Courts Service.
  • Respond promptly to any requests for further information from the Court.

Source and verification log

  • Issuing Agency: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
  • Form Number: 54.7
  • Act Reference: Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976
  • Specific Provision: Section 5A(1) As Amended
  • Not confirmed in official source: The exact list of required supporting documents.

Common confusion points

4 things to watch for

  • 1

    Confusing Section 5A(1) with other sections of the Family Law Act (e.g., S. 4 or S. 6).

  • 2

    Not clearly defining who the maintenance is *for* (spouse vs. child).

  • 3

    Failing to provide current financial evidence, leading to delays.

  • 4

    Assuming the form covers all aspects of a divorce settlement when it focuses specifically on the maintenance order.

Ready to get started?

Upload the form or open it in the AI Editor for intelligent guidance

✦ Open in AI Editor with guided fill

Related Guides & Resources

Term

Irish Form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under) - Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under)

Irish COURTS form Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under): Form for Affidavit of Attesting Witness (for minors aged 13 and under).

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant) - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant)

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond (De Bonis Non for Single Applicant): This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed to continue administering an estate when a previous executor or administrator has died or ceased to act (de bonis non), including a bond to guarantee proper administration..

View →
Term

Irish Form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant - Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant

Irish COURTS form Oath of Administrators with Will Annexed including Bond for Single Applicant: This is an oath sworn by a single administrator appointed under a will (where no executor is acting), including a bond to guarantee proper administration of the estate..

View →
Term

Irish Form Probate Office Order Form - Probate Office Order Form

Irish COURTS form Probate Office Order Form: This is a form used to request certified copies of probate documents from the Probate Office.

View →

Source transparency

Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms

Independent guide

BrieflyGo links to and explains official public form sources. We are not a government agency, and this page is for general form guidance, not legal advice.

CC BY 4.0Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Free to copy, modify, and distribute — even commercially — with attribution.
Crown Copyright (AU)© Commonwealth of Australia. Material may be downloaded, displayed, printed and reproduced in unaltered form for personal non-commercial use or internal organisational use. Not under an open licence.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
All Rights ReservedAll rights reserved by the copyright holder. Not licensed for open use. May only be used with explicit permission or under fair dealing/fair use.
Verify current license terms with the source agency before reuse outside this platform.

Understand the agreement before you sign it.

Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.

Review a contract free →