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Whether you are going through the divorce proceedings for spousal or child maintenance, wish to vary a maintenance order, or seek to enforce spousal support obligations, you will benefit from expert legal guidance. IRB Law divorce maintenance lawyers in Singapore can help you qualify for spousal maintenance and child support you deserve.

Understanding Divorce Maintenance in Singapore

In Singapore, the court may order a husband to provide reasonable maintenance to his wife, paying either a monthly sum or a lump sum. If the husband becomes incapacitated, the court may oblige the wife to provide reasonable maintenance for her husband. Both parents have the duty to maintain or contribute to the maintenance of their children, unless there is another arrangement under an agreement or a court order.

What Is Spousal Maintenance

Spousal maintenance, which is sometimes referred to as alimony or spousal support, is the financial support paid by one spouse during the divorce process or after the marriage is dissolved. Most disputes over alimony relate to the amount of what is considered “reasonable maintenance.”

What Is Child Maintenance

Child maintenance is the financial support provided by either parent, which can include providing the child with accommodation, clothing, food, and education or paying for those costs. The parents provide for child support regardless of the reason for divorce and irrespective of whether the children were born in marriage, or whether they are in his or her custody, or the custody of another person.

How Reasonable Spousal or Child Maintenance Is Determined

In deciding upon the amount of divorce maintenance for a wife, an incapacitated husband, or child support, the court typically takes into account the following considerations:

  • the financial needs of the wife, the incapacitated husband, or the child,
  • the income and earning capacity of each spouse, their property, and other financial resources, as well as those of the child
  • any physical disabilities of the wife, incapacitated husband, as the case may be, or the child
  • the age of the wife, husband, and the child, as well as the duration of the marriage
  • the contributions made by each spouse to the marriage, including contributions made by looking after the home or caring for the family
  • the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage
  • the conduct of each spouse

How to Apply for Child or Spousal Support Maintenance in Singapore?

You can apply for spousal maintenance or child support on your own or through a lawyer. When you involve a law firm, a divorce maintenance lawyer will help you evaluate your eligibility, prepare the required documents, avoid omissions, and apply for reasonable maintenance within the meaning of the Women’s Charter.

An application for divorce maintenance can be filed with:

Divorce Maintenance Lawyers Singapore
4.8
Based on 1,038 Reviews
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Lynn k
12th September 2026

Mr Baiross and his team helped me with my litigation case and offered really good advice. I am very appreciative of his work and expertise as it helped me close my case. Thank you🙏🏼🥹

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Happy Marry888
9th September 2026

Excellent service from Mr. Baiross and the team at IRB Law LLP. The consultation was clear, professional, and provided very practical solutions. Thanks!

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Angeline Chan
20th August 2026

Cannot praise the team at IRB Law enough... from Mohamed Baiross's prompt reply to my whatsapp message late in the night, to Hadhri's prompt follow-up and assistance, they made the process of getting of a POA a really smooth one. Given our tight deadline, the team was very patient and super duper helpful in answering our queries and lending the helping hand. Thank you so much again for everything, we really appreciate it. Kudos to the wonderful team! Cheers! 😀

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Nad GM
14th August 2026

Highly recommended! With their welcoming office, I had a great experience with IRB Law. Kudos to Mr. Ahmad Ghazi, Mr. Baiross, and the rest of the IRB Law team for their efficiency and excellent coordination. Special thanks to Mr. Ahmad Ghazi, who handled my queries with exceptional professionalism, patience, and dedication from the very beginning. He took the time to explain the process clearly, answered all my questions promptly, and provided clear legal advice on possible future scenarios as well. It was all smooth process within 2 weeks!

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Ili Lutfiah
8th August 2026

We engaged IRB for a recent case and had an absolutely wonderful experience with Mr Baiross and Mr Joel. From our very first consultation, we knew we were in good hands. Mr Baiross took the time to understand our situation and walked us through the potential consequences with so much empathy, patience and genuine concern. He never made us feel rushed, and his ability to explain everything clearly gave us a lot of reassurance during what was a very stressful period for us. It was clear from the very first conversation that he genuinely cared about helping us, and we knew we wanted to engage him and his team. We were also incredibly fortunate to work with Joel throughout the process. His friendly and approachable demeanour made it so easy to communicate with him. He always kept us focused on the end goal, while making the entire process feel much less daunting. At times, it genuinely felt like we were discussing things with a friend rather than a lawyer. What we appreciated most about Joel was his ability to empathise with our situation and understand how we were feeling before offering his thoughts and advice. He never made us feel like our concerns were insignificant, and we always felt heard, respected and supported. His professionalism, patience and personal touch really stood out to us. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a team that is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely empathetic and invested in their clients.

Service areas

  • Spousal Maintenance
  • Child Maintenance
  • Child Custody / Care & Control
  • Uncontested / Contested Divorce
  • Asset division (incl. HDB /
    Property/ CPF and more)
 

How IRB Law Can Help You Get the Divorce Maintenance You Deserve

Guidance on Child and Spousal Maintenance

Our lawyers can help you navigate family law in Singapore, evaluate your eligibility, and determine the amount of maintenance that you or your child deserves.

Legal Representation During Divorce

At IRB Law, our family lawyers can represent you at any stage of your divorce process, helping to protect your and your child’s rights to divorce maintenance.

Negotiations & Mediation

Our lawyers can help you facilitate discussions with your spouse and assist you in reaching an agreement on maintenance-related matters through negotiations and mediation.

Applying for Maintenance

When you work with IRB Law for divorce maintenance, our lawyers will help you prepare the necessary documents, avoid omissions, and streamline the application process.

Varying a Maintenance Order

If you need to vary, suspend, or rescind a maintenance order, we can help you determine your eligibility and file a variation application.

Enforcing a Maintenance Order

If your spouse fails to fulfil their obligations regarding spousal and child support, our family lawyers can help you enforce the maintenance order through the court.

Our Representative Legal Cases

Case 1: Resolving Maintenance Disputes Through Mediation

“Ms M” sought our assistance in determining the appropriate amount of monthly maintenance. Through mediation, we facilitated open and respectful communication between “Ms M” and her former spouse.

As a result, the spouses jointly determined a maintenance arrangement that met their needs and the best interests of their children. By opting for mediation, “Ms M” avoided a lengthy and costly court battle and achieved a satisfactory resolution.

Case 2: Ensuring Fair Maintenance for Dependent Spouse

“Mr L” approached our firm seeking assistance in determining a fair amount of monthly maintenance for his wife, who had been financially dependent throughout the marriage. Our expert maintenance lawyers meticulously assessed the financial needs of the dependent spouse, taking into account her living expenses and ongoing commitments.

With a focus on fairness and ensuring a stable post-divorce life for the dependent spouse, we successfully negotiated a maintenance agreement that addressed her financial needs and provided her with a sense of security.

Case 3: Securing Adequate Support for the Children

In a case involving “Ms S,” the primary concern was securing adequate maintenance for the children. Our team worked closely with “Ms S” to assess the children’s financial needs, including educational expenses, healthcare costs, and extracurricular activities.

Recognising the importance of maintaining the children’s standard of living, we pursued a fair and reasonable maintenance arrangement that provided for their well-being. Through negotiation and the court’s intervention, we secured a maintenance order that ensured the children’s continued financial stability.

Why Us

Why Choose IRB Law for Child and Spousal Maintenance Service

Recognised Singapore Family Lawyers

IRB Law is a well-known law firm in Singapore, recognised by The Straits Times and Statista over multiple years for our excellent family law service.

Personalised Legal Support

We understand the emotional toll and financial strain of divorce on spouses and their children and use a compassionate and constructive approach to resolve maintenance-related disputes.

Transparent & Affordable Legal Fees

At IRB Law, we provide affordable legal services and are always clear about our legal fees.

Our Lawyers

Meet Our Key Family Lawyers in Singapore

Founding & Managing Partner, IRB Law LLP
Mohamed Baiross

Mohamed Baiross is the managing partner of IRB Law and one of the nation's leading lawyers in multiple practice areas, including civil, corporate, and commercial law. With over three decades of experience as a business lawyer, Mohamed Baiross has built a renowned corporate law firm in Singapore, providing expert legal services to global corporations and local businesses.

Partner
Kulvinder Kaur

Kulvinder Kaur is a prominent commercial and corporate lawyer and an expert in litigation matters. Kaur is well-known in all courts of Singapore for strong legal representation in the most complex cases across multiple practice areas.

Maintenance

FAQs

What is maintenance in a divorce context in Singapore?
Maintenance refers to the ongoing financial support a spouse and/or children may receive from the other spouse during or after a divorce, as provided under the Women’s Charter.
Who can claim spousal maintenance in Singapore?
A spouse can claim maintenance if they are unable to work due to disability, have been a homemaker for a long time, or have care of young children, reducing their earning capacity.
Who can claim child maintenance?
Either parent may claim child maintenance. The court will consider the child’s needs, each parent’s income and earning capacity, and the standard of living during the marriage.
What factors does the court consider when awarding maintenance?
The court considers the financial needs of the parties, earning capacity, age, health, standard of living during marriage, and contributions made to the family.
Can a maintenance order be varied later on?
Yes, a maintenance order can be varied if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as loss of employment or change in financial needs.
What happens if the paying spouse doesn’t pay the maintenance?
Failure to pay court-ordered maintenance may result in enforcement action, such as fines, imprisonment, or attachment of earnings.
What is the difference between interim maintenance and final maintenance?
Interim maintenance is temporary support provided during divorce proceedings, while final maintenance is determined after the divorce is finalized.
How can a law firm help with maintenance cases?
A family lawyer can help assess eligibility, draft legal documents, represent clients in court, and assist with enforcement or variation of maintenance orders.
Can a husband apply for maintenance?
Yes. Under the Women’s Charter, a husband can apply for maintenance if he is incapacitated, unable to earn a living, and dependent on his wife.
How long does maintenance last?
Maintenance generally lasts until the recipient remarries, becomes self-sufficient, or as specified in the court order. For children, it typically continues until they reach 21 years old.
Google Reviews

Testimonials

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Lynn k
12th September 2026

Mr Baiross and his team helped me with my litigation case and offered really good advice. I am very appreciative of his work and expertise as it helped me close my case. Thank you🙏🏼🥹

google
Iqah Kilei
3rd September 2026

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the team at I.R.B Law LLP, especially Rano, who attended the court hearing with us, as well as everyone who assisted us throughout the entire divorce proceedings. This journey was definitely not an easy one, and there were many uncertainties along the way. We are thankful that throughout the entire process, the team was always patient in listening to our concerns and guiding us whenever we were unsure of the next step. They made the legal process easier for us to understand and gave us the reassurance we needed to get through each stage. One thing we especially appreciated was how realistic and transparent the team was with us. They would always prepare us for what to expect, including the possible worst-case scenarios. Rather than giving us false expectations, they helped us understand the different possibilities and manage our expectations accordingly. This allowed us to mentally prepare ourselves for whatever the outcome might be, even if it was not necessarily the outcome we hoped for. That honesty and guidance meant a lot to us throughout the process. Whenever we had questions or were unsure about something, the team was always there to guide us through it. Our enquiries were attended to promptly and professionally, and we truly appreciated how responsive and patient they were, especially during moments when we needed further clarification or reassurance. What meant the most was knowing that we did not have to navigate such a difficult process alone. Having a team that was professional yet understanding made an already stressful and emotionally exhausting journey much more manageable. Now that this chapter has finally come to an end, one thought feels especially fitting: “Today is not about who won or who lost. It is about finally closing a chapter that took more from everyone than it should have. Some endings don’t need celebration or resentment — just acceptance, peace, and the grace to move forward.” And that is exactly how we choose to look at the end of this journey. To Rano and the entire I.R.B team who played a part in getting us through this process, thank you for your professionalism, honesty, patience, guidance and support. We are sincerely grateful for everything you have done for us, and it will not be forgotten. 🤍

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Natalia Denisko
1st September 2026

This company my friend recommend for divorcee case. Fast working reliable company, ready take case and actions immediately. Transparent calculations fees, high respect especially to Leong Zhen Yang and Faiza: fast, precise, punctual work does not neglect any detail, my case was complicated and risky. Thanks a lot!!!😍🙏❤️

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Nurulhuda Iskandar
28th August 2026

Truly grateful to the team for assisting me throughout my divorce case at the Syariah Court, as well as my maintenance matter at the Family Justice Courts. From the very beginning, the lawyers were professional, knowledgeable and responsive. What stood out to me most was how committed they were to my case. They were willing to go the extra mile and fight for their client’s best interests, while ensuring that I understood the legal process and my options along the way. Going through a divorce and maintenance matter is never easy, but having lawyers who genuinely listen, guide and stand by you makes a huge difference. I always felt that my case was taken seriously and that they were willing to go all out to achieve the best possible outcome for me. I highly appreciate their dedication, professionalism and support throughout the entire journey. I would definitely recommend this law firm to anyone looking for a reliable, professional and committed legal team.

google
Ili Lutfiah
8th August 2026

We engaged IRB for a recent case and had an absolutely wonderful experience with Mr Baiross and Mr Joel. From our very first consultation, we knew we were in good hands. Mr Baiross took the time to understand our situation and walked us through the potential consequences with so much empathy, patience and genuine concern. He never made us feel rushed, and his ability to explain everything clearly gave us a lot of reassurance during what was a very stressful period for us. It was clear from the very first conversation that he genuinely cared about helping us, and we knew we wanted to engage him and his team. We were also incredibly fortunate to work with Joel throughout the process. His friendly and approachable demeanour made it so easy to communicate with him. He always kept us focused on the end goal, while making the entire process feel much less daunting. At times, it genuinely felt like we were discussing things with a friend rather than a lawyer. What we appreciated most about Joel was his ability to empathise with our situation and understand how we were feeling before offering his thoughts and advice. He never made us feel like our concerns were insignificant, and we always felt heard, respected and supported. His professionalism, patience and personal touch really stood out to us. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a team that is not only professional and knowledgeable, but also genuinely empathetic and invested in their clients.

google
Simran Kaur
23rd July 2026

I had a wonderful experience working with Faustina Joyce Fernando at IRB Law LLP. After struggling for a long time to navigate complex, stalled court document extractions on my own, Faustina stepped in with immense empathy, efficiency, and professionalism. She made strategic decisions that brought a swift, complete resolution to my case in record time. I am incredibly grateful for her clear guidance, kindness, and dedication. Highly recommend Faustina and the family legal team at IRB Law to anyone seeking reliable and compassionate legal support!

google
Life Of KMx
22nd July 2026

Very professional in handling the case.

google

Thumbs up to Norlina and her team. They are a nice team to work with as they handled our case with utmost professionalism. Highly recommended.

google
Lee Soon whatt
27th June 2026

Highly recommended for anyone seeking legal action. Case was handled professionally and I got the result that I was hoping to get. Consider the result as a win. Case handled by Mr Koh Boon Yang and Mr Zachary Lim was done with exceptional skill.

google
Bethan Loh
26th April 2026

Andrew Wong and the IRB team were great in supporting my case, answering my questions and advocating for the best options for me. Quick responses with initiative, and helpful! Led to a win for me and would consult them again.

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If you are looking to apply for, enforce, vary, or suspend a maintenance order in Singapore, you may benefit from the support of experienced family lawyers. Contact IRB Law divorce maintenance lawyers for an initial consultation.