Official form guide
Form 56.1 Attachment Of Earnings Summons - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 (As Amended) Section 10 (1) (A) (iii)
This form is a Summons for Attachment of Earnings from the Courts Service of Ireland. It relates specifically to Family Law matters under Section 10(1)(A)(iii) of the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act, 1976 (as amended). You use this when you need a court order to seize or attach someone's wages.
Need help with Form 56.1 Attachment Of Earnings Summons - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 (As Amended) Section 10 (1) (A) (iii)?
Open it in the AI Editor for field guidance, checks, and PDF export.
Form Overview
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 56.1 Attachment Of Earnings Summons - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976 (As Amended) Section 10 (1) (A) (iii)
This form is a Summons for Attachment of Earnings from the Courts Service of Ireland. It relates specifically to Family Law matters under Section 10(1)(A)(iii) of the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act, 1976 (as amended). You use this when you need a court order to seize or attach someone's wages.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1Double-check that you have correctly identified the employer whose payroll needs to be attached.
- 2Not citing the correct Section 10(1)(A)(iii) of the Act.
- 3Failing to name the exact employer/company payroll.
- 4Omitting details on the existing maintenance order amount.
- 5Incorrectly identifying the debtor's current address or contact details.
Plain English
Essentially, this is a formal request asking the Court to make sure your ex-spouse or partner pays their maintenance. It forces an employer to set aside a portion of the person's pay directly for the recipient. This action helps enforce financial obligations related to family support in Ireland.
Submission Date
- Filing date: There is no fixed universal deadline listed here; submission should happen as soon as maintenance arrears require enforcement. Check your specific court case timeline for urgency.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
AI co-pilot
Fill it faster. Catch mistakes before you file.
What this form is for
- You need a court order to seize someone's income (earnings).
- The debt concerns maintenance payments for spouses or children.
- This specific summons applies under Section 10(1)(A)(iii) of the relevant Act.
- Use this when you cannot collect maintenance through other means.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Debt is owed, but not related to Spousal/Child Maintenance
Use a broader attachment order if it's general debt.
✓ Check form number 56.1 details.
You want the court to *set* maintenance, not attach earnings
This sets the required payment amount first.
✓ Ensure you specify 'Attachment of Earnings'.
Application Form (Maintenance Order)
The debtor is self-employed and has no regular salary
A different mechanism might be needed for business income.
✓ Confirm if your employer pays wages.
You are applying to Revenue directly (e.g., through ROS)
While related, this is often a separate submission.
✓ Check the specific instructions provided by the Court.
Deadline or filing window
There is no fixed universal deadline listed here; submission should happen as soon as maintenance arrears require enforcement. Check your specific court case timeline for urgency.
Before you submit
- 1All required parties (debtor, creditor) are named correctly.
- 2The exact amount of maintenance owed must be clearly stated.
- 3You must specify *who* the wages belong to (the debtor).
- 4Ensure the Court's specific case number is filled in.
- 5Sign and date the form where indicated.
How to file this form
- 1Complete all sections of Form 56.1 thoroughly.
- 2Have your supporting documentation ready (e.g., proof of debt/maintenance order).
- 3Submit the completed form to the relevant Courts Service office or via the online portal if available.
- 4Pay any required filing fee at the time of submission.
- 5Keep a copy of the submitted form for your records.
Known limitations
- 1This summons only addresses attachment of *earnings* (wages/salary), not other assets like property or bank accounts unless specified separately.
- 2It is governed by Section 10(1)(A)(iii) specifically; use another section if applicable.
- 3Not confirmed in official source: There is no confirmation on whether this form can be filed electronically only.
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 is a specific Summons used within Family Law cases. It relates to enforcing financial obligations under the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act, 1976.
What changed or needs a fresh check
- Check the date stamp on the form for the latest revision.
- Verify if any changes were made to Section 10(1)(A)(iii) amendments recently.
- Ensure the court seal area is clear and ready for stamping.
- Confirm the correct jurisdiction/district court details are present.
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Revision date
- 23/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCIssuing Agency: Courts Service of Ireland (COURTS)
- SRCForm Number: 56.1
- SRCForm Name Confirmation: Attachment Of Earnings Summons...
- SRCGoverning Legislation: Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act, 1976
- SRCSpecific Provision: Section 10 (1) (A) (iii)
- SRCContextual Use: Wage Seizure for Maintenance Debt
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: Specific filing fee amount.
Common confusion points
Confusing it with an *application* form versus the actual *summons* to be served.
Not knowing which specific section (10(1)(A)(iii)) applies when multiple sections exist.
Assuming this automatically forces payment; it only authorizes seizure.
Failing to specify if the attachment is for Spouse Maintenance or Child Maintenance.
Source transparency
Copyright & Licensing — Irish Government Forms
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.
Understand the agreement before you sign it.
Review risky clauses in plain English, fix the document, and keep it moving toward signature.