Spousal Support Lawyers Telford & Birmingham

Spousal maintenance is regular financial support paid by one former spouse or civil partner to the other after separation. It is intended to help cover everyday living costs when one person is financially disadvantaged, particularly if they are unable to support themselves straight away.

This might apply if, for example, one person gave up work during the relationship to raise children or manage the household, or if there is a significant income gap between the two parties.

Spousal maintenance is not about punishing or rewarding anyone, it’s about fairness. The court looks at whether payments are needed to help someone maintain a reasonable standard of living and have time to rebuild their financial independence.

Support can be temporary or long-term, depending on the circumstances, and is always tailored to the needs of the people involved. Our Spousal Maintenance Lawyers will help you understand what applies to your situation and what a fair outcome looks like.

No, they’re completely different. Spousal maintenance is financial support for your former husband or wife, while child maintenance is money paid to support your child's everyday needs.

Spousal maintenance is usually arranged through negotiation or a court order and is based on things like income, needs and lifestyle during the relationship. There’s no set formula, it’s tailored to the people involved and their individual circumstances.

Child maintenance, on the other hand, is often calculated using a standard formula set by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS), based on the paying parent’s income and how much time the children spend with each parent.

At NJP Solicitors, we can help you with both spousal and child maintenance matters. Whether you’re applying for support, responding to a claim, or trying to understand what’s fair, we offer clear, practical advice so you can move forward with confidence.

If your former partner has stopped paying spousal maintenance without agreement or a court-approved change, they’re in breach of the order and you have every right to take action. If the order remains valid, the court has enforcement powers under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Family Procedure Rules to recover unpaid maintenance

The first step is to check whether the order is still valid and enforceable. If it is, we can help you recover the unpaid amounts through the courts. This might include:

• Asking the court to enforce the order
• Applying for deductions directly from their wages or bank account
• Placing a charge on their property or assets
• In serious cases, asking the court to consider fines or even imprisonment

You do not need to chase this alone. Our Spousal Support Lawyers will move quickly to protect your position and take the pressure off you. We’ll also explore why the payments stopped and whether any variation is being claimed, so you get the full picture and can respond with confidence.

Yes, many couples come to a mutual agreement through negotiation or mediation. This can be formalised into a legally binding consent order with the help of Spousal Maintenance Lawyers to ensure the agreement is fair and enforceable.

It can vary depending on your circumstances. Some orders last for a fixed period to allow the receiving party to regain financial independence. Others continue until remarriage, retirement or further court order. We will explain what applies in your case and what to expect going forward.

Yes, if either party’s circumstances change, the court can vary the maintenance. Examples where this would need to be changed include:

• Landing a new job
• Being made redundant
• Getting into a new relationship

Our Spousal Maintenance Lawyers can guide you through making or responding to a variation application.

Yes, this is called a maintenance pending suit. It is a temporary support while divorce proceedings are ongoing and can help cover essentials like rent or bills until a final settlement is reached.

There’s no set figure for spousal maintenance. The court doesn’t apply a formula or aim for a 50-50 split. Instead it looks at what’s fair based on both parties’ financial positions and what each person reasonably needs to live on.

This includes a careful look at:

• Income and earning capacity
• Monthly outgoings
• The lifestyle during the relationship
• Any responsibilities like caring for children

To work out a fair amount, we’ll help you prepare a detailed budget that shows both your needs and your ex-partner’s ability to pay. This becomes the foundation for meaningful negotiation and often avoids the need for a court to decide.

Our Spousal Maintenance Solicitors focus on reaching clear, workable agreements wherever possible. If negotiation fails, we’ll be ready to fight your case in court and make sure your financial future is protected.

Spousal maintenance is calculated based on need, fairness and what each person can realistically afford. You can agree to it through negotiation, mediation or the court can decide.

We always aim to resolve things without dragging you into lengthy court proceedings. Our Spousal Maintenance Lawyers will help you prepare a clear financial picture, including income, outgoings and future needs.

Spousal maintenance can take a few different forms depending on your circumstances. The court has flexibility to tailor the type and length of support to what is fair and realistic for both people. Here are the main types:

Maintenance Pending Suit

This is short-term maintenance paid while the divorce is still ongoing. It’s designed to help the financially weaker party cover essential expenses like rent, food, and bills until a final financial agreement is made. If you're struggling during proceedings, this can provide vital breathing room.

Term Maintenance Order

This is support set for a fixed period, usually months or years to allow the recipient time to get back on their feet. It’s common when someone needs to retrain, return to work, or adjust to living independently after years out of the workforce.

Joint Lives Maintenance Order

This type of maintenance continues indefinitely, usually until the recipient remarries, passes away, or the court decides to change the order. It’s more common after long marriages where one person may never be financially independent due to age or career sacrifices.

Our Spousal Maintenance Solicitors will help you understand which type of support is most appropriate for your situation and make sure any arrangement is fair, sustainable, and backed by the right legal protections.

It’s possible, but not ideal. The closer to the wedding, the greater the risk that the agreement could be challenged later. We’ll always advise honestly about whether there’s time to prepare one properly.