What is maintenance pending suit?

Maintenance pending suit, also known as interim maintenance or interim periodical payments, is a form of temporary financial support provided to one party during divorce or dissolution proceedings.

The main purpose is to ensure that the financially weaker party can meet their everyday living needs (such as the mortgage) pending a final financial settlement being reached.

A court can order maintenance pending suit when one spouse stops contributing towards the mortgage, and there is an immediate need, and the person claiming is unable to meet that need themselves.