What is child maintenance?
Child maintenance is the payment of money to assist with the costs of raising a child or children. It can contribute to day-to-day living expenses and the child’s general upkeep.
Trinidad and Tobago family support guide
Child maintenance in Trinidad and Tobago
Child maintenance is money paid to help with the cost of raising a child. This guide summarizes what it may cover, who may apply, how the application process begins, and what information can be useful to organize.
This page is a plain-language summary of official Trinidad and Tobago information. Use the official sources linked below for complete, current guidance, forms, and court requirements. This summary is not legal advice, does not calculate maintenance, and cannot predict or interpret a court decision.
Official sources reviewed 18 September 2026.
Plain-language answers
Start with the main questions
The amount and terms of maintenance depend on the facts presented and the decision or agreement that applies. These answers describe the official process without deciding what should happen in an individual case.
Who can apply for child maintenance?
A parent, guardian, or person who has legal custody of a child can apply. This includes a parent or guardian with custody, care and control. If you are unsure whether you may apply, contact the Family Court for guidance about your circumstances.
What costs can child maintenance cover?
Child maintenance can contribute to costs such as schoolbooks, uniforms, food, and medical and dental expenses. These are examples rather than a calculation of what must be paid in a particular matter.
Does keeping an expense record determine maintenance?
No. A record of child-related costs, receipts, or payments can help organize factual information, but it does not create a maintenance order, decide a legal obligation, or set the amount that should be paid.
Official application process
How does someone start a child-maintenance application?
A child-maintenance application generally follows these four steps. Confirm the current process and required documents with the Court before applying.
Contact the Court
Call the Judiciary’s Customer Contact Centre or contact the Family Court nearest you. A court representative will contact you to help complete the application.
Get a hearing date
After the application is filed, the Court schedules the matter and provides the date and time of the hearing.
Notify the other party
A Police Officer serves a Summons and Notice on the other party, usually the other parent, so they are informed about the case and hearing.
Attend the court hearing
At the hearing, a Judge, Master, or Magistrate reviews the application and makes a decision.
Judiciary Customer Contact Centre
224-5182 · 62-TTLAW (628-8529) · 23-LAWTT (235-2988)
Contact details can change. Verify them on the official Judiciary website before relying on them.
Practical preparation
What information may be useful to organize?
This is a practical recordkeeping list, not an official list of documents required by the Court. Ask the Court what forms and evidence are required for your application.
- Any existing maintenance, custody, care and control, or access order or written agreement relevant to the child.
- A clear record of child-related costs, including dates, amounts, receipts, and the purpose of each cost.
- A record of relevant payments received or made, including the date, amount, method, and what the payment covered.
- School, medical, dental, childcare, or other records that relate directly to costs you need to explain.
- Questions you want the Court or a qualified legal professional to answer before you submit information.
Official sources
Where can I confirm the current information?
Use the Judiciary’s own pages for current guidance, court contact details, and any forms or instructions that apply.
Understanding Child Maintenance
The official illustrated guide to child maintenance, who may apply, examples of covered costs, and the four-step application process.
Open official sourceChild Maintenance
The official self-help page explaining child maintenance and directing visitors to current court support.
Open official sourceFamily Court of Trinidad and Tobago
Official information about Family Court services, maintenance, custody and access, mediation, and related family matters.
Open official sourceCourt locations and contact information
Current Judiciary contact information for court locations and Virtual Access Customer Centres in Trinidad and Tobago.
Open official source