Maintenance Court Preparation Checklist

What you will need

• Child's monthly costs (food, school, clothing, transport, medical) (R): Add a share of rent and electricity for the child.
• Your take-home pay each month (R): Include grants such as the Child Support Grant.
• Other parent's income, if known (R): An estimate is fine. The court can ask for proof.
• Documents I have (text): ID, child's birth certificate, proof of expenses, payslip, the other parent's address and workplace.

How it works

child_total = sum of child cost lines. If both incomes are known: your_share_pct = your_income / (your_income + other_income) x 100; other_share = child_total x other_income / (your_income + other_income). This is a rough illustration only; the court looks at each parent's means and the child's needs and may decide differently. Checklist items: ID copy, child's birth certificate, 3 months of proof of expenses, your payslip or proof of income, other parent's full name, address, workplace and ID number if known, any existing court order. Missing workplace or address -> show note that the maintenance officer can help trace the other parent.

What you get

• Child's monthly needs
• Illustrative share for the other parent
• Documents still needed

What it means

• You are ready to visit the maintenance court at your nearest magistrate's court.
• You can still open a case; bring what you have and the officer will explain what else is needed.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Visit the maintenance officer at your magistrate's court, or contact Legal Aid SA.

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