MAINTENANCE

the same as spousal support or alimony.

See Alimony

In a divorce or separation, the money paid by one spouse to the other in order to fulfill the financial obligation that comes with marriage. The support which one person, who is bound by law to do so, gives to another for his living; for example, a father is bound to find maintenance for his children; and a child is required by law to maintain his father or mother when they cannot support themselves, and he has ability to maintain them.

Crimes. A malicious, or at least, officious interference in a suit in which the offender has no interest, to assist one of the parties to it against the other, with money or advice to prosecute or defend the action, without any authority of law.

But there are many acts in the nature of maintenance, which become justifiable from the circumstances under which they are done. They may be justified: 1. Because the party has an interest in the thing in variance; as when he has a bare contingency in the lands in question, which possibly may never come in esse; 2. Because the party is of kindred or affinity, as father, son, or heir apparent, or husband or wife; 3. Because the relation of landlord and tenant or master and servant subsists between the party to the suit and the person who assists him; 4. Because the money is given out of charity. Because the person assisting the party to the suit is an attorney or counsellor; the assistance to be rendered must, however, be strictly professional, for a lawyer is not more justified in giving his client money than another man.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.

Refers to the obligation of one person to contribute, in part or in whole, to the cost of living of another person. - (read more on Maintenance)
  

The obligation that one person has to contribute in part or in whole to the cost of living of another person.