About Maintenance
What is maintenance?
The law generally requires certain parties to provide support to their family members. This support, called maintenance, is financial in nature and can include regular monthly payments, repayment of specific expenses (in full or in part), or direct payments to service providers such as childcare centres or utility companies.
MSC is an external agency authorised by the Family Justice Courts to assist with filing maintenance applications:
- Fresh Maintenance Orders (FMO)
If you do not have an existing court order for maintenance, you can apply for an FMO. - Enforcement of Maintenance Orders (EMO)
If a party fails to comply with an existing maintenance order, you can file an EMO to enforce it. - Maintenance Enforcement Process (MEP)
MEP works similarly to EMO but is currently available only for repeat maintenance enforcement applications where:- There is at least one concluded maintenance enforcement application (the application and any appeals have been resolved, or the time to appeal has passed); and
- There is no pending maintenance enforcement application.
Note: These applications also cover cases under Muslim marriages where Syariah court orders do not address spousal or child maintenance.
Who can apply for maintenance?
|
You can apply maintenance for… |
From… |
If the following applies… |
|
Your child |
The other parent |
The other parent neglects or refuses to provide your child with reasonable maintenance. |
|
Yourself |
Your husband |
You are a married woman whose husband neglects or refuses to provide you with reasonable maintenance. |
|
Yourself |
Your wife |
You are an incapacitated husband whose wife has neglected or refused to provide you with reasonable maintenance. |
|
Yourself |
Your parent |
If you are over 21 and at least one of the following applies to you:
|
Maintenance Filing with MSC
If you wish to apply for an FMO, EMO, or MEP, MSC can assist you with the filing process at SCWO and provide court process guidance. This includes explaining the standard legal procedures and legal terms related to family law so you can better understand the steps involved. (Please note: Court process guidance is not legal advice. We only assist with understanding and navigating the court processes and systems).
To apply for an FMO, EMO, or MEP at MSC, you must first submit a draft application through iFAMS and book an appointment at SCWO via the same platform. Maintenance filing at MSC is strictly by appointment only through iFAMS, and is available Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no fee to apply.
No, it is not necessary to hire a lawyer. You can represent yourself in court for a maintenance application. However, if you prefer legal representation, you may engage a lawyer for your court mentions.
The process usually takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the specifics of your case.
- NRIC
- Child(ren)’s Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Court Order (for EMO cases only)
If you are unable to attend your appointment, please inform us as soon as possible. Our slots are limited, but we will do our best to reschedule it for a date and time that works for you.
Alternatively, you may also walk-in to the Family Justice Courts, located at 1 Havelock Square, Singapore 059725, from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
The filing process is similar at both places. However, making an appointment with the Family Justice Courts can help you avoid long queues. Filing at MSC may feel more comfortable for those who find the court setting intimidating. We also offer additional support such as guidance on court processes, counselling for emotional well-being if you need it, and referrals to other services or community partners to ensure you receive the help that matters most to you.
No, MSC does not handle parental maintenance. For assistance, please contact the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents (CMP) directly at 1800-222-0000 before filing a claim. You may also visit the CMP office at Family Link @ Lengkok Bahru, 8 Lengkok Bahru, #02-01, Singapore 159052.
No, MSC does provide financial aid. For financial assistance, please contact your nearest Social Service Office (SSO) here.
Yes, you may request backdated maintenance during mediation, for example, to cover a period before a maintenance order is made. Please note that it is up to the court to decide whether backdated maintenance will be granted.
No, MSC is not the Women’s Charter. The Women’s Charter is a law passed in 1961 in Singapore to protect the rights of women and girls. It covers areas such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and the division of assets.