Singapore legislation
Clause 62
Clause 62
Court may make order for maintenance of wife and children
(1)
Any married woman whose husband —
has been convicted of any offence under Chapter XVI of the Penal Code against her or any of her children;
has deserted her;
has neglected to provide reasonable maintenance for her and her children whom he is liable to maintain;
has treated her or any of her children with cruelty;
is a habitual drunkard; or
is living in adultery with another woman,may apply to a District Court or Magistrate’s Court and such court on due proof thereof may order the husband of such married woman to make a monthly allowance for her maintenance in proportion to his means as to the court seems reasonable.
(2)
If any person neglects or refuses to maintain his legitimate or illegitimate child unable to maintain itself, a District Court or Magistrate’s Court on due proof thereof may order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of such child in proportion to his means as to the court seems reasonable.
(3)
Such allowance shall be payable from such date as the court directs.
(4)
An application for the maintenance of a child under subsection (2) of this section may be made by any person who is the guardian or has the actual custody of the child.