A separated person does not automatically get maintenance payments from the other spouse. A separated person who is not caring for children and who is able to support themselves will probably not be awarded maintenance.
To obtain a court order for maintenance, a spouse will generally have to prove that he or she is unable to work or cannot support him or herself properly because of old age or sickness, the need to care for children or some other reason. In addition, the person would have to show that his or her spouse is able to pay the maintenance. Unlike a married person, a person in a de facto relationship cannot claim spouse maintenance.
