Applying for Child & Spouse Maintenance
If you are unmarried, and the father of your child is not paying maintenance, you can apply under the Affiliation Law for an order that he should pay you maintenance for the child. You should apply either within 12 months of the birth of the child or when the father stops paying you maintenance. If you are married, and your husband is not supporting you and/or your children, you can apply for an order under the Maintenance Law that he should pay maintenance for you and your children. You can also apply for maintenance for children living with you at the time of your marriage. If you are divorced, or a divorce application is pending, you must apply in the divorce proceedings in the Grand Court.
You should ring the Court Office (244-3826 or 9494296) and ask to speak to the Affiliation and Maintenance Officer. Tell the officer that you would like to discuss an affiliation or maintenance order. When you attend the interview you should bring with you your original marriage certificate (if appropriate) and birth certificate for any child for whom you are claiming maintenance. You should also bring details of the work and home addresses and the telephone numbers of your husband or father of the child.
Sources
- The Affiliation Law (1995 Revision)
- The Maintenance Law (1995 Revision)
- The Matrimonial Causes Law
- The Maintenance Orders (Enforcement) Law
- The Maintenance Orders Enforcement (Belize) Order 1997
- The Maintenance Law (Extension) Order, 1998
- Rules of Court No. 5; Summary Jurisdiction (Maintenance Law) Rules