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AI Summary of 51. Lump sum maintenance orders.

The court may, when making or varying a maintenance order, require the maintenance debtor to make a lump sum payment or payments to the maintenance creditor either instead of, or in addition to, periodical payments. The amount or aggregate amount of a lump sum payment is to be determined by the court having regard to the amount of the periodical payments and the periods and times at which they would have been, or will be, made.

Where the court makes such an order for the benefit of a child it may specify the manner in which, or the purpose for which, the payment or payments are to be applied, including in providing suitable accommodation for the child. An order of the District Court under this section may not provide for lump sum payment(s) in excess of €15,000 in aggregate.

Version status: In force | Document consolidation status: Updated to reflect all known changes
Version date: 18 January 2016 - onwards
Version 4 of 4

51. Lump sum maintenance orders.

(1) The court may, on making a maintenance order or a variation order, order the maintenance debtor in addition to, or instead of such an order, to make a lump sum payment or lump sum payments to the maintenance creditor of such amount or amounts and at such time or times as may be specified in the order.

(2) The amount or aggregate amount of a lump sum payment or of lump sum payments to a maintenance creditor under an order under this section shall be -

(a) if the order is instead of an order for the making of periodical payments to the maintenance creditor, such amount as the court considers appropriate having regard to the amount of the periodical payments that would have been made, and the periods during which and the times at which they would have been made, but for this section, and

(b) if the first-mentioned order is in addition to an order for the making of periodical payments to the maintenance creditor, such amount as the court considers appropriate having regard to the amount of the periodical payments and the periods during which and the times at which they will be made.

(2A) Where the court makes an order under subsection (1) that is for the benefit of a child, the court may specify in the order the manner in which, or purpose for which, the payment or payments referred to in that subsection are to be applied, including in providing suitable accommodation for the child to whom the order relates.