Maintenance for a child when they reach 18.
I have a maintenace order for my daughter. She is now 18ys of age. Does that maint order automatical cancel after she reaches 18yrs? Does she now have to apply herself for maintenance.
Category: Marriage and Divorce, Maintenance Issues
Region: South Africa, Gauteng
1 Answer
Hello. Maintenance is paid to a parent for a child because a child below the age of 18 is considered a minor. You can now pay the maintenance amount for your daughter directly into her account now that she is no longer considered a minor. You must continue to pay maintenance until she becomes self-supporting. So it is in your interest to help her through her education and assist her to find a job. She can apply for an increase or variation of the maintenance order by herself and for herself now that she is over the age of 18. Once she becomes self-supporting you can approach the maintenance court to vary the order.
Amended by author 5th December 2017, 07:20
In essence, the order does not automatically cancel. It remains in force until it is changed or varied. Except that you can now pay her maintenance directly to her.