Family Law (Maintenance of Spouses and Children) Act, 1976

Orders in respect of certain marital agreements.

8.—Where—

(a) the parties to a marriage enter into an agreement in writing (including a separation agreement) after the commencement of this Act that includes either or both of the following provisions, that is to say—

(i) a provision whereby one spouse undertakes to make periodical payments towards the maintenance of the other spouse or of any dependent children of the family or of both that other spouse and any dependent children of the family,

(ii) a provision governing the rights and liabilities of the spouses towards one another in respect of the making or securing of payments (other than payments specified in paragraph (a) (i) of this section), or the disposition or use of any property, and

(b) an application is made by one or both of the spouses to the High Court or the Circuit Court for an order making the agreement a rule of court,

the Court may make such an order if it is satisfied that the agreement is a fair and reasonable one which in all the circumstances adequately protects the interests of both spouses and the dependent children (if any) of the family, and such order shall, in so far as it relates to a provision specified in paragraph (a) (i) of this section, be deemed, for the purpose of section 9 and Part III of this Act, to be a maintenance order.