A NEW centre has been set up to lessen the administrative burden on single parents who wish to apply for the enforcement of maintenance orders against their former spouses.
The Maintenance Support Centre, launched yesterday by the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO), will be a one-stop place for single mothers to get legal advice, counselling and any other assistance they need in child support.
The centre also helps single fathers to apply for the enforcement of maintenance orders against their former wives.
It comes after amendments were made to the Women's Charter earlier this year, to better deal with cases of former husbands defaulting on maintenance payments.
The Subordinate Courts received 3,585 applications for the enforcement of maintenance orders in 2009, up 10 per cent from 2008.
"Given that the typical profile of a claimant is a woman in her mid- to late-30s, with two children and with only a secondary- school education, it is clear that the maintenance payments are the lifeline for the new family unit," said SCWO president Laura Hwang.
To enforce a maintenance order when there is a default, single mothers are generally required to go to court. Some even have to take leave from work in order to do so.
"The Family Court is open only during office hours, so I have to take leave for a day just to file an order," said 42-year-old administrative assistant Meera Manja. She has had to file six applications for the enforcement of a maintenance order against her husband since her divorce in 2007.
"I almost lost my job because of this," she added.
With video-link facilities available at the centre, claimants are able to file their applications electro-nically. This service shortens the waiting time and cuts one court attendance for claimants, who will be able to speak to the judge through a video conference.
It also reduces the unnecessary distress on children who would sometimes accompany their parents to court.
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob said: "We don't want the courts to become a second home for the children. That's why providing an alternative venue for them to file claims for maintenance orders in the community is really critical."
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