54.31 Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act 1976 Section 5B (Inserted By Section 73 Of The Children And Family Relationships Act 2015)
Form 54.31 is a Maintenance Order form used under Irish family law to establish or modify financial support for spouses and children. It applies specifically to Section 5B of the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act 1976 as amended by the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
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54.31 Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act 1976 Section 5B (Inserted By Section 73 Of The Children And Family Relationships Act 2015)
Form 54.31 is a Maintenance Order form used under Irish family law to establish or modify financial support for spouses and children. It applies specifically to Section 5B of the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act 1976 as amended by the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
Risk Radar
- The most common mistake is failing to provide complete and accurate financial information.
- Providing inaccurate financial information
- Missing required supporting documentation
- Failing to disclose all sources of income
- Not understanding the legal implications of maintenance orders
Plain English
This form helps the court decide how much financial support one person should provide to their spouse or children after separation or divorce. It's used when you need a formal legal order for maintenance payments.
Submission Date
- File this form as soon as possible after deciding to seek maintenance, as delays may affect the timing of support payments; specific deadlines may be set by court officials handling your case.
- Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
- Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.
What this form is for
- • Use this form for maintenance orders under Section 5B of the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act 1976
- • This form is specifically for spousal and child maintenance applications
- • Not for maintenance applications under different legislation
- • Use when seeking a court-ordered maintenance agreement
- • Not for voluntary maintenance arrangements without court involvement
Use this form or another form?
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Situation | Likely form | Why it matters | Check before you continue |
| Voluntary maintenance agreement without court involvement | Not applicable - use private agreement | Court orders have legal enforcement mechanisms | Consider if informal agreement meets your needs |
| Maintenance for adult children | Different form under Section 5A | Different legal provisions apply | Confirm correct form for adult child maintenance |
| Interim maintenance pending final order | Same form but marked as interim | Different procedural requirements | Indicate if seeking interim or final order |
| Enforcement of existing maintenance order | Enforcement application form | Different legal process for enforcement | Use correct form for enforcing existing orders |
Deadline or filing window
File this form as soon as possible after deciding to seek maintenance, as delays may affect the timing of support payments; specific deadlines may be set by court officials handling your case.
Before you submit
- • Complete all sections of the form
- • Provide accurate financial information
- • Attach supporting documentation
- • Include case number if already assigned
- • Verify court location and filing procedures
- • Check current court fees
- • Prepare copies for all parties
- • Consider legal review before submission
How to file this form
- 1Obtain the correct Form 54.31 from the Courts Service or court office
- 2Complete all sections with accurate financial details
- 3Gather supporting documentation like payslips, bank statements, and expense records
- 4File the completed form at the appropriate court office
- 5Pay any required court fees
- 6Serve copies on all relevant parties
- 7Attend any scheduled court hearings
Known limitations
- • This form does not cover maintenance for adult children under different provisions
- • Does not address property division or other financial settlements
- • Limited to maintenance calculations under specific legislation
- • May not cover international maintenance cases
- • Does not address emergency maintenance applications
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✦ Open in AI EditorCurrent Form Status
This form remains in use as it reflects current legislation under the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act 1976 and Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.
Agency: Courts Service of Ireland
What changed or needs a fresh check
- • Confirm using the latest version of Form 54.31
- • Check for any recent amendments to the Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act
- • Verify if Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provisions have changed
- • Ensure form reflects current court fees and procedures
- • Check if digital submission options are now available
Quick Facts
Form Details
- Agency
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Category
- Family Law Forms
- Source
- Court Forms ↗
- Revision Date
- 23/10/25
Downloads
54.31 Maintenance Order - Family Law (Maintenance Of Spouses And Children) Act 1976 Section 5B (Inserted By Section 73 Of The Children And Family Relationships Act 2015)
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After you file
- • Keep copies of all submitted documents
- • Attend any required court hearings
- • Respond promptly to any requests for additional information
- • Monitor court communications for updates
- • Prepare for potential financial disclosure requirements
- • Consider the implications of any maintenance order on future financial planning
Source and verification log
- • Form number: 54.31 - confirmed from provided information
- • Issuing agency: Courts Service of Ireland - confirmed from provided information
- • Legal basis: Maintenance of Spouses and Children Act 1976 - confirmed from form name
- • Amending legislation: Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 - confirmed from form name
- • Section 5B provisions - not confirmed in official source
- • Current court filing procedures - not confirmed in official source
- • Required supporting documentation - not confirmed in official source
- • Court fee amounts - not confirmed in official source
Common confusion points
8 things to watch for
- 1
Confusing this form with maintenance applications under different sections
- 2
Uncertainty about what financial information must be disclosed
- 3
Not understanding the difference between interim and final maintenance orders
- 4
Confusion about court procedures for maintenance applications
- 5
Unclear about enforcement options if maintenance is not paid
- 6
Not knowing how future changes in circumstances affect maintenance orders
- 7
Confusion about time limits for seeking maintenance
- 8
Misunderstanding the legal obligations created by a maintenance order
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