My wife has threatened to file for divorce and for maintenance for her three children, one of whom is from her first husband who is deceased. I am an immigrant from Russia, with no recorded religion. My wife is Jewish. Will I have to pay maintenance for the child from her first marriage?
By: דיאנה שאלתיאל•Published on: 16 May, 2022Yes, as you have no religion, under Israeli law you are not subject to any personal law, and your maintenance obligation is governed by the Family Law Amendment (Maintenance) Act of 1959. Under the act you have to bear the maintenance burden for your children and those of your spouse – even though you are not the biological parent. This obligation is shared by the two of you, depending on your relative incomes.