The support provided by one person to another with a means of livelihood, especially in cases where the former is legally bound to do so. In family law, this term (also known as alimony or spousal support) is used to denote the financial assistance given by one spouse to another, in case of separation or divorce. Likewise, a father is legally bound to maintain the children, a son/daughter is bound to support the parents, who have no means to live, provided, the former has the ability to maintain the latter.