In English law, an application for financial relief following the presentation of a petition for divorce, nullity or judicial separation used to be described as ancillary relief.
The term arose because the financial application was 'ancillary' to the petition.
The courts powers derive in large part from the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, and in particular section 25(2) which sets out the statutory checklist of factors that should be taken into account.
Maintenance orders can be given on nominal or specific terms.
Following a 1984 amendment, the court is obliged to consider whether the parties' financial relationship should be terminated ('clean break').