The Maintenance Chronicles — Part 1: We Never Married! Can She Take Me to Court?

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | FAMILY LAW STORY • EPISODE 1 OF 5

No ring. No wedding. But a little boy who needs both parents.

Marcus and Alicia had lived together for seven years. No wedding, no rings, no reception with pelau and macaroni pie. But they had a six-year-old son, Jayden, whose school shoes were getting tight.

When the relationship ended, Marcus packed his bag and announced, 'Alicia, I done with you. I moving on!' Two weeks later Alicia telephoned: 'Marcus, Jayden needs shoes, groceries and lessons money.'

'Girl, every time you call is money, money, money! We never married, you know!' Marcus protested.

'You never married ME,' Alicia replied. 'But you are still Jayden's father.' Marcus laughed: 'Well, carry me to court then!'

Alicia took him at his word. The court documents arrived. Marcus stared at the envelope, suddenly less amused.

The law behind the drama

This is a fictional story, but the legal principle is real. In Trinidad and Tobago, a child's potential entitlement to financial support does not depend on whether the parents married. The Family Law (Guardianship of Minors, Domicile and Maintenance) Act, Chap. 46:08, provides routes for applications concerning a child's maintenance. Parental duties are not a reward for marriage and do not vanish when a relationship breaks down.

Both parents may have responsibilities. Where legal fatherhood is disputed or not established, the question of paternity may need to be addressed under the applicable legal procedures; the Act includes provisions about presumptions and paternity orders.

Why international readers should care

The human problem crosses borders: co-parenting after separation, the cost of children and confusion between obligations to a former partner and obligations to a child. But the legal procedure differs from country to country. This episode explains Trinidad and Tobago law, not UK, US or Canadian maintenance law.

A practical takeaway

Keep records of the child's everyday expenses and any contributions made. If you receive court documents, attend and respond. It is far better to explain the facts early than to ignore the process.

NEXT EPISODE: Marcus walks into Court insisting, 'But she working too!' Will that end the case?

Reader question: Have you heard someone say that unmarried parents have no maintenance obligations?

Legal reference: Family Law (Guardianship of Minors, Domicile and Maintenance) Act, Chap. 46:08, especially sections 2, 13 and 19; Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago, Child Maintenance guidance: https://self-help.ttlawcourts.org/child-maintenance

All characters are fictional. Educational commentary only; not legal advice for a specific case.