MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

NZ Truth, Issue 1061, 25 March 1926, Page 18

MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS

Q.: Some 12 years ago inquirer's parents were divorced, and -inquirer placed m his mother's custody. His father, who re-married, is now m poor health and circumstances. Can incjL.ir'ef be compelled to contribute towi.vds the support of father or any of f cither's second family? — VAmara" (Wellington). ' A.: You can, if of sufficient ability m do so, be compelled to contribute towards your father's support if he le a destitute person, but you are under iio similar obligations towards ycur step-brothers or step-sisters. qI: Husband and wife separated, h.nd under the written agreement he? agreed to pay £ 1 per week towards the support of the wife and child. The

for. 10/- per week for one year but daughter had this cancelled without the mother being notified. • What can mother do? — "Anxious" (Frankton Junction). A.: (1) If the daughters are of sufficient financial ability they can be made to contribute to their mother's support. You yourself are also liable to contribute to her support. The expenses allowed by the Court are payable by the defendant 'as a rule. (2) The mother should commence fresh proceedings. Q.: A girl's parents who have always had the custody of her illegitimate child and have received the maintenance payable by the father under ah order of the Court desire to

husband now offers wife a home, but th,e wife will not go baclc to him. , Must husband stilt keep up his payments under the agreeraent? — "F.M." (Wellington). A.: If husband agreed m writing to live separata and apart he cannot compel wife to return to him. On the other Vinnrl Vl a milQf*

CENSUS QUESTION Q.: I was married last August, and* gave my age m error as 33 instead of 36, What age should I give m the census returns? — "E.M." (Christchurch). A.; Speak the truth and shame th« devil! Put your correct age m.

adopt tne cnnq so as to give it a legal status. Will such adoption put an end to the father's' liability under the order? — "Constant Reader" (Thames). A.: The existing Destitute Persons Act, which was intended to increase the father's liability, m the same way that it abolished his previous right

continue to pay the maintenance. Q:: An aged lady who obtained a djvoi-ce -from her husband -four years a^o was granted 25s per week maintenance, this sum being fixed after allowing for her profits from apartment house keeping. She now finds 25s •totally inadequate for her support. Ker late husband has £20 weekly coming m. Can she get an increase of allowance from the Court? — "A.J.N." (Auckland). A.: Take proceedings at once for an order increasing the amount of maintpnance. Costs would be ordered against your husband. , Q.: Can a daughter who has no children and who has given over to her husband ail her property, be made to contribute to the support of her widowed mother? Also a daughter who has two children aged 16 and 2 years? Who pays the expenses? (2) Mother obtained an order against one daughter

to contract out of his liability, provided that the adoption of the child should not affect the validity of any order then m force; although m regard to orders applied for after the child has been adopted, the Magistrae, having regard to all the circumstances of, the case, is given a discretion •to refuse an order. In the circumstances of your case there is no reason why the father's liability should be interfered with. To prevent any misunderstanding, you should make it clear to the Magistrate when you apply for the adoption order that you intend to continue enforcement of the order. if he then objects he can enforce his objection not by cancelling the maintenance order, but by refusing to make the adoption order. Q.: What steps must an aged mother take to 'compel her son to contribute towards her support? — "Anxious" (Blenheim). A.: Issue a complaint and summons under the Destitute Persons. Act.