Maintenance for wife is an important aspect of family law in Pakistan which means providing financial support to the wife before or after divorce. Wife maintenance is also known as Spousal Support or Alimony which acknowledges the economic interdependence that often exists in marriages. In Pakistan, husband is a sole responsible to financially support his wife with the assurance that she maintains a standard of living. Women have the rights to claim maintenance under family laws from her husbands. Therefore, these rights empower individuals to navigate the legal process effectively.
A competent and professional’s experience is most important to deal with the legal complexities surrounding with the case of wife maintenance in Pakistan; this is where our family lawyers come in. Our lawyers are experts in helping wives claiming wife maintenance and court proceedings by providing representation and advice. Seeking legal advice is essential when it comes to wife maintenance issues in Pakistan in order to navigate the complexities of family law and guarantee fair and just decisions. So, let’s examine the main contributions of our spousal support claim lawyer can make.
Legal Consultation: Getting legal advice is a first step of initiating court process. We provide free initial consultations so that our clients can talk about their situation, learn about their rights, and gain knowledge about the possible legal ways that might be open to them.
Case Assessment: Our legal professionals specializing in wife maintenance conduct thorough assessments of each case. They evaluate the financial aspects, needs of the spouse seeking maintenance, and other important factors to provide a clear understanding of the legal standing and potential outcomes.
Documentation Preparation: After legal consultation and case assessment, we navigate legal processes which involves legal documentation. Our alimony attorney assists in the preparation of all necessary documents, ensuring that paperwork is accurate, complete, and compliant with legal standards.
Court Representation: When there is no chance for success of mediation, court representation becomes necessary for representing client in the court. Our court representation services in wife maintenance lawsuits include presenting cases in family courts, defending clients, submission of evidence, and arguing for maintenance with support of the rulings of superior courts.
Settlement and Negotiation: Our maintenance dispute lawyer can work out an agreement outside of court by negotiating with the adverse party. This strategy seeks to reach mutually acceptable agreements, reducing the risk of court cases and offering quicker resolution of disputes.
Enforcement of Court Orders: Legal services of our maintenance claim lawyer are important in enforcing court orders when maintenance orders of the court are disobeyed. This involves penal legal actions to ensure compliance that the decided financial support is provided by the husband.
Dispute Resolution in Compliance with Sharia Law: To expedite the resolution of disputes, we may explore mediation or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. Given the religious diversity in Pakistan, our wife maintenance lawyers are experts in Sharia law.
Client Advocacy: Above all, our wife maintenance lawyer in Pakistan serves as advocates for our clients. We struggle to secure favorable decision, protect our clients’ interests, and ensure that the legal process is followed with diligence and integrity.
Here is a step-by-step legal process for seeking wife maintenance in Pakistan;
Before initiating a process of claiming wife maintenance from the court, you must consult with our spousal support claim lawyer in Pakistan. Our legal professionals will guide you regarding the entire process by conducting case analysis from filing petition to the case decision.
After case analysis, our alimony claim lawyer will help you for collecting necessary documents such as the marriage certificate, evidence of marriage, income of husband, preparing spousal support petition and other related documents including court orders related to separation or divorce etc.
After collection of all legal documents and preparation of petition, we file a wife maintenance case in the family court in whose jurisdiction a wife is residing. Our petition explains the maintenance amount and also provide reasons supporting the claim.
After filing a lawsuit, the court passes a direction for issuance of notices to the husband through registered postal service, publication of notices in newspaper as well as intimation through WhatsApp, SMS and Telephonic call to the husband.
If the notices has been properly served and husband don’t appear in the court then the court may proceed in his absence but if the husband attends the proceeding, then the court direct him for submission of written statement.
After submission of written statement by the husband, the court fix an appropriate amount as an interim maintenance while considering the factors as mentioned above. This interim maintenance amount is liable to be paid by the husband on every month and consequence of non-payment would be closing of right of defense of the husband in view of section 17-A of Family Courts Act.
After framing of issues in the case, the court direct the parties for submission of evidence. Such evidence includes oral evidence through witnesses as well as documentary evidence including source of income, property details and needs of wife.
Ater recording the evidence by both the parties i.e. wife and husband, the court assesses the specific needs of the wife such as meal, clothing, healthcare, and living standards etc. and thereafter passes final order by fixing permanent amount of maintenance.
After the decision, a wife would need to file an execution petition for enforcing the final decision of the case. This step is of very importance because mere passing an order is not sufficient unless the same gets enforced which ensure the payment of maintenance.
If a husband fails to pay the maintenance amount, then the court is empowered to him by issuing his warrants of arrest and also forfeiting his assets and auction thereof for recovery of maintenance.
In Islam, the concept of maintenance for a wife is deeply rooted in the principles outlined in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The Islam emphasis on justice, compassion, and the preservation of the family bond which is demonstrated by the financial obligations imposed on the husband.
The Quran provides explicit guidance on the financial responsibilities of a husband towards his wife.
Surah An-Nisa (4:34) states,
“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has made one of them excel over the other, and because they spend out of their possessions to support them.”
This verse underscores the role of men as providers and maintainers, emphasizing financial support for their wives.
The financial maintenance of a wife in Islam is termed “Nafqah” which includes the provision of basic necessities, including shelter, food, clothing, and other essentials, ensuring that the wife’s dignity and well-being are safeguarded.
Islamic teaching places a strong emphasis on the husband’s primary role in providing financial assistance. This involves providing maintenance for the wife, children and other dependents. The husband’s ability to pay is taken into account to make sure the maintenance is appropriate and within his financial means.
Islam promotes treating spouses justly and fairly in all areas of their lives together including financial matters. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “The best among you is the one who is best to his wife.”
This includes fulfilling financial obligations with kindness and consideration.
Following are the main challenges a wife may face during course of seeking spousal support from her husband;
Legal Complications: Core challenge in claiming wife maintenance is legal complexities such as hiring a professional lawyer. For example, if you hire a criminal defense attorney for your spousal support claim who do not have any experience dealing with the procedure in family courts. We are experienced in claiming wife maintenance for overseas Pakistanis so don’t hesitate to discuss your concern with us.
Enforcement of Court Orders: Another challenge is enforcing maintenance orders passed by the family court directing husband to pay maintenance to his wife.
Delays: Although Family Courts Act prescribed period of deciding such cases within six months but legal proceedings can be time-consuming. So, managing duration of the process is essential for those seeking financial support.
Legal framework for spouse maintenance is regulated by the family laws of Pakistan. Wife maintenance cases are typically filed and decided in the family courts.
Family Laws: Family laws of Pakistan cover a wide range of topics related to family relationships and disputes such as marriage, divorce, and financial assistance as well as provisions regarding wife maintenance. The Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961, and the Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939, are the main statutes that are pertinent to wife maintenance.
Muslim Family Laws Ordinance, 1961: The rights and obligations of spouses are provisioned in Muslim Family Law Ordinance of 1961 alongwith rules pertaining to wife maintenance which acknowledges the husband’s obligations to support his wife financially after or before a divorce and also making sure that she continues to live at a level same to what she had throughout or before the marriage.
Judicial Process: Family courts of Pakistan are responsible to deal with the family disputes cases including divorce, child custody and maintenance, recovery of dower and dowry articles of wife and definitely wife maintenance case. There is a proper judicial procedure for claiming wife maintenance.
Courts may order for the payment of maintenance to the husband for a wife for a specific duration until a marriage is intact. But after being divorced by the husband or through a dissolution of marriage, wife is only entitled to receive maintenance for Iddat period which is approximately three months. Temporary maintenance may be awarded during the legal proceedings, while permanent maintenance may be determined in the final decision of the court. The duration is determined based on factors such as the financial needs of the wife and the ability of the husband to pay.
In legal and financial terms, alimony and child support have different concepts with different purposes within the context of family laws.
Alimony, also known as spousal support or wife maintenance, refers to the financial support to the wife by the husband. It is intended to address the financial disability that may arise after the marriage by ensuring that the wife can maintain a standard of her living similar to that before or during the marriage. The primary purpose of alimony is to support the wife who may have been economically dependent on the husband during the marriage. Factors influencing alimony determinations often include the duration of the marriage, each spouse’s financial situation, contributions to the marriage, and potential for self-support.
Child support, also known as child maintenance, is a financial assistance provided by the father to the mother for the welfare, upbringing, and well-being of their children after divorce or separation. It is intended to cover a child’s basic needs, including food, education, medical care, and other essential expenses. Child support prioritizes the best interests of the child with the purpose to ensure that child’s healthy and supportive upbringing. It is not intended for the benefit of the mother but is dedicated to the child’s needs.
Here is a step-by-step legal process for seeking wife maintenance in Pakistan;
Step 1 – Legal Consultation & Case Analysis: Before initiating a process of claiming wife maintenance from the court, you must consult with our spousal support claim lawyer in Pakistan. Our legal professionals will guide you regarding the entire process by conducting case analysis from filing petition to the case decision.
Step 2 – Legal Documentation: After case analysis our alimony claim lawyer will help you for collecting necessary documents such as the marriage certificate, evidence of marriage, preparing spousal support petition and other related documents including court orders related to separation or divorce etc.
Step 3 – Petition Filing: After collection of all legal documents and preparation of petition, we file a wife maintenance case in the family court in whose jurisdiction a wife is residing. Our petition explains the maintenance amount and also provide reasons supporting the claim.
Step 4 – Issuance of Notices: After filing a lawsuit, the court passes a direction for issuance of notices to the husband through registered postal service, publication of notices in newspaper as well as intimation through WhatsApp, SMS and Telephonic call to the husband.
Step 5 – Submission of Written Statement: If the notices has been properly served and husband don’t appear in the court then the court may proceed in his absence but if the husband attends the proceeding, then the court direct him for submission of written statement.
Step 6 – Fixation of Interim Maintenance Amount: After submission of written statement by the husband, the court fix an appropriate amount as an interim maintenance while considering the factors as mentioned above. This interim maintenance amount is liable to be paid by the husband on every month and consequence of non-payment would be closing of right of defense of the husband in view of section 17-A of Family Courts Act.
Step 7 – Recording of Evidence: After framing of issues in the case, the court direct the parties for submission of evidence. Such evidence includes oral evidence through witnesses as well as documentary evidence including source of income, property details and needs of wife.
Step 8 – Decision of Case: Ater recording the evidence by both the parties i.e. wife and husband, the court assesses the specific needs of the wife such as meal, clothing, healthcare, and living standards etc. and thereafter passes final order by fixing permanent amount of maintenance.
Step 9 – Enforcement of Orders: After the decision, a wife would need to file an execution petition for enforcing the final decision of the case. This step is of very importance because mere passing an order is not sufficient unless the same gets enforced which ensure the payment of maintenance.
Step 10 – Consequence of Non-Payment: If a husband fails to pay the maintenance amount, then the court is empowered to him by issuing his warrants of arrest and also forfeiting his assets and auction thereof for recovery of maintenance.
If she has been divorced then duration of maintenance would be 3 months considered as a waiting period (Iddat) but in case where husband has not divorced her or she doesn’t apply for dissolution of marriage then there would be no specific duration.
Enforcing wife maintenance orders of the court is important to guarantee the financial support determined by the court. There are legal consequences for non-payment such as;
If the wife separated herself without lawful justification, then husband may have a right to file a lawsuit for conjugal rights wherein the court may declare her a disobedient wife. In such circumstances, a disobedient wife is not entitled for maintenance.
Yes, a wife can claim maintenance after divorce and the legal system of Pakistan recognizes and provide assistance for such claims. Maintenance, also known as alimony or spousal support, is designed to ensure that a divorced wife is financially supported by her ex-husband but this would only last for 03 months of Iddat period. After completion of Iddat period, husband would not be responsible to provide financial support to his ex-wife.
The Case Lawyer is a full-service law firm that is being driven by the expert lawyers of multiple domains such as Family & Personal Laws, Property & Revenue Laws, Financial Law, Corporate and Tax Laws, Information Technology Laws, International Laws, Offshore Business Laws, and obviously Immigration Laws of different countries.
The Case Lawyer is popular among the overseas community due to its transparent mechanism as well as cost-efficiency. Firm’s majority clients are non-resident Pakistanis which are satisfy with the legal services provided by the firm and definitely dispute resolution for overseas Pakistanis.
We have customized legal and litigation support for overseas Pakistanis as no other law firm in Pakistan is able to offer customized legal support. We have break down the entire process as follows;
We are virtually available 24/7 for your live legal support where you can discuss your concerns with our expert lawyers of multiple domains. You need to call on our business number and confirm appointment which is free of cost for initial consultation for 15 minutes but due to shortage of time and number of queries you need to pay 5000/- for subsequent consultation for next 30 minutes discussion with our lawyer.
We are serving our expatriates Pakistanis who are residing everywhere in the world from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Europe, United States, Canada, KSA, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, and other countries. We have redressed the grievance of hundreds of overseas clients who are satisfied with our extra-ordinary services and prompt responses.
Transparency in legal services for overseas Pakistanis is core concern which also is our main consideration. As most of the overseas Pakistani while residing abroad do not know what proceedings are being conducted in the court by their lawyers in Pakistan and this causes lack of trust and mis-information. We keep our overseas clients up to date regarding their case and clients are being informed through electronic mail and WhatsApp. We also share with them court orders which able them to understand what proceedings are being conducted by our lawyers.
We prefer reputation over money and this aspect makes us well reputed organization. Our communication with the clients is privileged in accordance with the legal ethics so we you must believe that we provide you an honest solution and our conversation with you is protected.
We prepare invoice after case analysis which clearly reflects documentation & filing expenses including court fee, lawyer’s professional fee, clerical expenses and other miscellaneous expenses which may incur time to time. This mechanism eliminates hidden cost which protects our client’s monetary concerns.
Furthermore, for convenience of Pakistani Expats we also have an option of installment plans but this varies upon case to case.