Child Maintenance in Singapore
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Singapore Acts of Parliament, subsidiary legislation, and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Both parents have a legal duty to maintain their children until they turn 21 (or longer if the child is in full-time education, has a disability, or is serving National Service):
- Father and mother equally liable: Under s68 of the Women's Charter, both parents must maintain their children. Under s69, if either parent neglects or refuses, the other can apply for a maintenance order.
- Amount: The court considers the financial needs of the child, the standard of living the child was accustomed to, and the income and means of both parents.
- Typical expenses covered: Food, housing, clothing, education (school fees, tuition), medical/dental, transport, and extracurricular activities.
When does it apply?
- You are a parent of a child under 21 (or older with valid exceptions).
- Your child's other parent is not contributing to the child's expenses.
- This applies to both married and unmarried parents.
What to Do If the Other Parent Is Not Contributing to Your Child's Maintenance in Singapore
- Try to agree on maintenance — a written agreement is enforceable if both parties consent.
- If no agreement, file a maintenance application at the Family Justice Courts.
- Prepare a detailed list of the child's monthly expenses with supporting receipts.
- If the other parent defaults on a court order, file a maintenance enforcement application.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't withhold access because maintenance is not paid — custody/access and maintenance are separate legal issues.
- Don't inflate expenses — the court requires genuine evidence.
- Don't delay filing — the child's needs are ongoing. The Women's Charter's 3-year time bar on recovering maintenance arrears (s.121(3)) means claims must generally be made within 3 years of when each instalment fell due, unless special circumstances are shown (the Family Court has held in ULU v ULT [2018] SGFC 45 that this bar is on the substantive claim, not on enforcement of an existing order). Section 91R governs recovery of arrears procedurally. File promptly to preserve your claim period.
Common Questions
Until what age must Singapore parents maintain their children?
Both parents have a legal duty to maintain their children until they turn 21 — longer if the child is in full-time education, has a disability, or is serving National Service. Under s68 of the Women's Charter, both parents are equally liable. This applies to both married and unmarried parents.
How does a Singapore court decide child maintenance amounts?
The court considers the financial needs of the child, the standard of living the child was accustomed to, and the income and means of both parents. Typical covered expenses are food, housing, clothing, education (school fees, tuition), medical and dental, transport, and extracurricular activities. Prepare a detailed list of monthly expenses with supporting receipts.
Can I withhold access if my Singapore ex won't pay child maintenance?
No. Custody or access and maintenance are separate legal issues — do not withhold access because maintenance is not paid. File a maintenance enforcement application with the Family Justice Courts. Note the 3-year time bar in s.121(3) of the Women's Charter on recovering maintenance arrears (subject to special circumstances), so file promptly. Section 91R governs the recovery procedure.
When does it apply — child maintenance?
You are a parent of a child under 21 (or older with valid exceptions).Your child's other parent is not contributing to the child's expenses.This applies to both married and unmarried parents.
What should I do if the father or mother of my child is not paying child maintenance as ordered by the Singapore Family Court?
Try to agree on maintenance — a written agreement is enforceable if both parties consent.If no agreement, file a maintenance application at the Family Justice Courts.Prepare a detailed list of the child's monthly expenses with supporting receipts.If the other parent defaults on a court order, file a maintenance enforcement application.
What should you NOT do — child maintenance?
Don't withhold access because maintenance is not paid — custody/access and maintenance are separate legal issues.Don't inflate expenses — the court requires genuine evidence.Don't delay filing — the child's needs are ongoing. The Women's Charter's 3-year time bar on recovering maintenance arrears (s.121(3)) means claims must generally be made within 3 years of when each instalment fell due, unless special circumstances are shown (the Family Court has held in ULU v ULT [2018] SGFC 45 that this bar is on the substantive claim, not on enforcement of an existing order). Section 91R governs recover...