Maintenance

[Mike lewis]

Should my friend pay maintenance if there are no children involved when they divorce

[RATTER15]

No!! But the law says differently.

[Ethel]

It depends on the circumstances. If his wife has not done paid work but been dependent on him, then yes.

Many 'powerful' men in the business world have only progressed so well because their wives have effectively managed their home and private life, as well as entertaining business clients and so on. Unpaid PAs on call 24/7, allowing their husbands to focus entirely on the business.

But if the wife works then generally no. She may be entitled to a share of his future pension though, if it was agreed during the marriage that she didn't need one because his would support them both.

[Pippa68]

I agree with you, RATTER!

Mr P was ordered to pay his ex wife �200 per month spousal maintenance. Was he a millionaire businessman? nope..just the normal Joe Bloggs whose ex wife had a canny solicitor. Yes they had a child (maintenance was also paid for her) but very rarely is spousal maintenance paid in this situation.

Unfortunately the ex was on benefits, so the maintenance was deducted from that. She wasn't pleased! however the judge ordered that it was Mr P's job to make sure she wasn't totally dependant on the state...