Delhi High Court Sets Out Key Principles To Determine Maintenance; Calls For Reasoned Orders By Family Courts

The Delhi High Court laid down guiding principles for determining maintenance, directing family courts to issue reasoned and detailed orders assessing both parties’ income, standard of living, needs, and liabilities. The Court observed that arbitrary or unreasoned maintenance orders violate fairness and transparency. It reaffirmed that maintenance must ensure dignity for the claimant while being realistic about the payer’s capacity, promoting consistency and accountability in matrimonial jurisprudence.