Maintenance / alimony ka idea ye hai ki financially weaker spouse ko completely helpless na chhoda jaye, chahe wo wife ho, husband ho (certain laws me), ya children. Jab separation ya divorce ke baad ek party ke paas income hai, aur dusra dependent hai, to law support expect karta hai.
Maintenance interim bhi ho sakta hai (case ke pending rehte time monthly amount) aur final bhi (permanent alimony ya structured payments). Court consider karta hai – earning capacity, lifestyle during marriage, health, dependents, liabilities, bad faith conduct, etc.
Spouse ko yeh prove karna hota hai ki:
- Wo genuinely apne aap ko maintain nahi kar sakta,
- Dusri party ke paas means hai support dene ke.
Fake claims, income hide karna, assets conceal karna – dono sides se hota hai, jisko courts tax records, bank statements, lifestyle evidence se assess karte hain.
Maintenance entitlement yeh nahi kehta ki lifetime for sure free income milegi; remarriage, job gain, substantial change in circumstances se amount revise ya cancel bhi ho sakta hai.
Time pe proper application, complete financial disclosure aur realistic demand se fair order milna easy ho jata hai.