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

What this form is for

• • Use this form when seeking maintenance from a spouse or former spouse
• • Use when you need to establish a new maintenance order
• • Use when modifying an existing maintenance order
• • Do not use for child maintenance only - there may be a different form for that purpose
• • Do not use for maintenance from parents to adult children

Use this form or another form?

Deadline or filing window

There is no strict deadline for filing this form, but it should be submitted as early as possible once you decide to seek maintenance. Delays may affect the date from which maintenance payments are ordered.

Before you submit

• • All sections of the form are completed
• • Financial information for both parties is accurate and current
• • Supporting documentation is attached
• • Correct filing fee is included
• • Form is signed in all required places
• • A copy is kept for your records
• • Form is submitted to the correct court office

How to file this form

1. 1Obtain the current version of Form 54.8 from the Courts Service website or court office
2. 2Complete all sections with accurate information about financial circumstances
3. 3Gather supporting documentation including payslips, bank statements, and details of dependents
4. 4Submit the completed form to the appropriate court office with the required fee
5. 5Attend any scheduled court hearings
6. 6Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records

Known limitations

• • This form only applies to maintenance under the Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976
• • The court will consider both parties' financial circumstances when determining maintenance amounts
• • Maintenance orders may be modified if circumstances change significantly
• • This form does not apply to maintenance arrangements agreed between parties without court involvement