LHC rules child support cannot be waived by parent...

Summary

• LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that parents cannot reduce or waive a minor child’s maintenance through a mutual agreement, declaring that the child’s right to financial support cannot be compromised through a settlement between the parents.
• The court noted that a Family Court is not bound to accept a settlement reached between parents if the agreement affects the welfare or legal rights of a child.
• Before determining maintenance, the court must independently assess the child’s needs, standard of living and overall welfare.

AI Generated Summary

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that parents cannot reduce or waive a minor child’s maintenance through a mutual agreement, declaring that the child’s right to financial support cannot be compromised through a settlement between the parents.

Justice Usman Ghani Rashed Cheema issued a six-page order while deciding a petition filed on behalf of a minor girl. The court set aside a decision under which the parents had mutually agreed to fix the child’s monthly maintenance at Rs30,000.