Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), can a court order a stepparent to pay financial support if the stepparent has a duty to maintain the child?

• A. Yes, the court may order financial support.
• B. No, stepparents cannot be required to provide financial support.
• C. Only if the couple is still married.
• D. Only after a formal agreement.

Answer: (A)

Under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), a court can order financial support from a person who has a duty to maintain a child. That duty isn’t limited to biological parents; a stepparent who has taken on and continues to owe a parental-like duty to the child can be required to contribute financially. The court’s power to make such orders is not contingent on the couple being married or on there being a formal agreement—if the stepparent has a duty to maintain and the child needs support, the court may impose a maintenance order.