If former partners no longer cohabit, a former partner who is unable to support themselves may request the former partner to contribute to adequate maintenance according to their means, capabilities and economic circumstances. It they fail to reach agreement, a court decides on maintenance further to an application from either of them.
If a former partner who has not contributed to the permanent breakdown of the relationship suffers serious loss or damage as a result of the dissolution of the partnership, a court may order the other former partner to pay maintenance for a period of up to three years from the time they stop cohabiting as partners to the same extent as the maintenance obligation that would have arisen had they not stopped cohabiting as partners.
A maintenance obligation between former partners takes precedence over a child’s obligation to support parents.
The right to maintenance between former partners expires on the date on which the liable partner dies or is declared dead, or on the date on which the former partner who is the beneficiary enters into marriage or a new partnership. The right to maintenance also expires on the date on which a lump sum is paid on the basis of a written contract between the former partners.