Maintenance (also referred to as periodical payments) is paid for the benefit of spouses (male or female) and is termed spousal maintenance and child maintenance (for the benefit of a child of the family). Maintenance orders are available on divorce (same-sex or heterosexual) and on the dissolution of a civil partnership.
Following your divorce or dissolution, you may agree or the court may order you to support your ex-spouse. You will either agree with the amount and duration of spousal maintenance that you are required to pay or the court will decide. Spousal maintenance will end automatically on the remarriage of your ex-partner or either of your deaths. Alternatively, payment of spousal maintenance may only be for a term (a number of years following which the obligation ceases unless it is capable of extension).