🌍 Children, inheritance & global · #111

I have been paying all our child's expenses so far. Can I claim them back from my ex-husband?

If there is already a maintenance order, arrears under that order can be claimed; if there is none yet, the position is more complicated. In fiqh, past child maintenance that was not ordered by a court does not usually become a debt automatically. That is why the most important step is to file a claim for child maintenance (nafkah) now, so that the right for the future is secured. Keep receipts of your child's expenses from today. If there are arrears under an existing order, the Family Support Division (Bahagian Sokongan Keluarga) at the Syariah Court can help. For a claim over past expenses, a syarie lawyer can assess whether it can be claimed in your situation. See child maintenance.

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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