| 释义 |
failure to maintain
The failure of either spouse/civil partner to provide reasonable maintenance for the other or to make a proper contribution towards the maintenance of any children of the family during the subsistence of the marriage/civil partnership. Upon proof of such failure, the court may make orders for secured or unsecured periodical payments and for lump-sum orders. It is no longer necessary to prove wilful neglect to maintain (i.e. deliberate withholding of maintenance). Under the Child Support Act 1991, application for periodical payments for children can now usually be made directly to the Child Maintenance Service (see child support maintenance) rather than the court. |