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Maintenance Default Law & Legal Definition

Maintenance in family law refers to alimony or spousal support. Maintenance is an order of a court for the support of one spouse by the other spouse. State law, which varies by state, governs the award of maintenance to a spouse. On application of either party for spousal support, the court may decree an increase or decrease only upon a showing of a substantial and material change of circumstances.

Default is the failure of a defendant to appear, or file an answer or response in a civil case, after having been served with a summons and complaint. It also refers to a failure to make required payments.





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