20/08/2025
Why Child Maintenance is Critical
Lebo is a 9-year-old who suffers from a chronic illness. He is in and out of hospital, constantly needing medical attention, expensive medication, and special care.
Because of his condition, Lebo cannot attend a regular school he needs a special needs school that caters for his health and learning requirements. The costs are high, and his mother cannot manage them alone.
👉 When she applies for child maintenance, the court takes into account Lebo’s extraordinary needs hospital visits, medication, special schooling, and transport. The father is ordered to contribute more than the basic amount because maintenance is based on the child’s needs, not just what the parent feels like paying.