What maintenance can children claim?

What the Law Says

The Women's Charter sets out the legal right of children to claim maintenance from their parents in Singapore.

Under section 69 of the Women's Charter, a parent has a duty to maintain their child — whether born in or out of wedlock — if the child is under 21 years old, or older but unable to maintain themselves due to physical or mental incapacity, or because they are undergoing full-time education or training.

The court may order a parent to pay maintenance for the child’s food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education. The amount depends on the parent’s means and the child’s needs.

This duty applies regardless of whether the parents are married, divorced, separated, or never married.

Statutory Text

The father or mother of any child born in or out of wedlock shall maintain the child, if the child is under the age of 21 years, or is over that age but is unable to maintain himself or herself by reason of physical or mental disability or because he or she is undergoing full-time education or training.

— Women's Charter, s. 69 — Duty of father or mother to maintain child

What to Do

Sources