Women’s Charter 1961 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 8 · Maintenance of Wife, Incapacitated Husband and Children
68. Duty of parents to maintain children
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A parent must maintain or help maintain their children, unless an agreement or court order says otherwise. This applies whoever has custody of the children, and whether they are legitimate or illegitimate. A parent does this by providing reasonable housing, clothing, food and education, suited to their means and position in life, or by paying the cost.
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, and whether they are legitimate or illegitimate, 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.