M v M

[1]������� This is an application on behalf of the Petitioner wife for Maintenance Pending Suit.� The ongoing divorce proceedings are protracted and difficult.� An answer and cross-petition has issued.� It would appear that an attempt was made on the Respondent�s behalf to agree cross decrees during the month of June but it seems that this was not acceptable and accordingly the divorce may not be listed for hearing for some time.� There have also been protracted Children Order proceedings.

[2]������� The Petitioner wife now applies for maintenance pending suit.� The husband had been paying the sum of �2,500 per month to include the rent of a privately rented dwelling house in which the Petitioner and the two children of the family aged 9 and 7 years reside.

[3]������� Prior to the separation the Petitioner and the children enjoyed a very high standard of living.� In her affidavit, and this was not denied, she states that she would have spent up to �10,000 per month on clothes; that she had two vehicles; a BMW 5 series and a convertible Mercedes, and that the parties enjoyed numerous holidays together and with the children.

[4]������� Three months ago the Respondent unilaterally ceased paying the �500 per month for rent as he had come to the view that the Petitioner was having an affair with the landlord who it would appear is an old school friend of the Petitioner.� The Petitioner denied that any such relationship had ever existed.

[5]������� The Petitioner is presently in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Severe Disability Living Allowance and Child Benefit totalling approximately �840 a month.� She sought to have this made up to a sum of �4,000 per month by way of a further payment from the Respondent of �3,150 per month to include rent.