Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 · Updated to 15 Dec 2018 · Part VIII · Protection of Children
92. Duty to maintain children
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A parent must support, or help support, their children, whoever has custody of them. The parent does this by providing reasonable housing, clothing, food and education, or by paying for them. What is reasonable depends on the parent's means and position in life. This duty applies unless an agreement or court order says otherwise.
Summary · Drafted with AI, checked against the official text on 30 Sep 2026.
Except where an agreement or order of court otherwise provides, it shall be the duty of a parent to maintain or contribute to the maintenance of his or her children, whether they are in his or her custody or the custody of any other person, either by providing them with such accommodation, clothing, food and education as may be reasonable having regard to his or her means and station in life or by paying the cost thereof.
court
“court” means the High Court or a Judge thereof or, where a Sessions Court Judge has jurisdiction by virtue of subsection (2), the Sessions Court or a Sessions Court Judge of that Court;
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