Not all parents who take their children to court, or the Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents (TMP) are awarded maintenance.
Last year, 65 per cent of the cases are awarded maintenance, with 15 per cent dismissed and 11 per cent of the parents withdrawing their petitions. For some of the other cases, the parent died before the case was heard.
A Ministry of Social and Family Development spokesman told The Sunday Times the tribunal will consider the parent's means and needs, the children's income and expenses as well as whether the parent had supported his children when they were young. The tribunal may order the children to give maintenance if it feels it is just and equitable for them to support their parent. Likewise, it may dismiss an application or reduce the sum sought if it is shown proof that the parent had abandoned, abused, or neglected his children.
Two in three seniors were awarded $300 or less a month by the TMP in the last five years. Since 2011, seniors seeking maintenance have had to go to the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents (CMP) first. The CMP is not a court and its staff will mediate to help both parties come to an agreement, such as getting the children to give and the sums given. If this conciliatory approach fails, the parent can take his dispute to the TMP.
Thoughts:
- I'm not sure about the development of CMP and TMP is a 'good' move. Children are supposd to take care of their aged parents, but such systems highlighted the breakdown of this social fabric. But I do understand that some children might have strained relationship with their parents too. In such cases, I do think that the CMP and TMP would be critical to judge if the support (if not given) is justifiable. Other than that, if every thing needs a law/ government intervention, I think it is quite sad for a society with its family units not keen to support their elderly members.
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
No comments:
Post a Comment