Alimony

(1) The Court may, if it thinks fit, on any decree for divorce or nullity of marriage, order that the husband shall, to the satisfaction of the Court, secure to the wife such gross sum of money or annual sum of money for any term, not exceeding her life, as having regard to her fortune, if any, to the ability of her husband and to the conduct of the parties, the Court may think to be reasonable, and the Court may for that purpose order that it shall be referred to the Registrar to settle and approve a proper deed or instrument, to be executed by all the necessary parties, and may, if it thinks fit, suspend the pronouncing of the decree until the deed or instrument has been duly executed. (2) In any such case as aforesaid the Court may, if it thinks fit, by order, either in addition to or instead of an order under sub-section (1), direct the husband to pay to the wife during the joint lives of the husband and wife such monthly or weekly sum for her maintenance and support as the Court may think reasonable, Provided that– (a) if the husband, after any such order has been made, becomes from any cause unable to make the payments, the Court may discharge or modify the order, or temporarily suspend the order as to the whole or any part of the money ordered to be paid, and subsequently revive it wholly or in part as the Court thinks fit; and (b) where the Court has made any such order as is mentioned in this sub-section and the Court is satisfied that the means of the husband have 91 increased, the Court may, if it thinks fit, increase the amount payable under the order. (3) On any petition for divorce or nullity of marriage the Court shall have the same power to make interim orders for the payment of money by way of alimony or otherwise to the wife as the Court has in proceedings for judicial separation. (4) Where any decree for restitution of conjugal rights or judicial separation is made on the application of the wife, the Court may make such order for alimony as the Court thinks just. (5) In all cases where the Court makes an order for alimony, the Court may direct the alimony to be paid either to the wife or to a trustee approved by the Court on her behalf, and may impose such terms or restrictions as the Court thinks expedient, and may from time to time appoint a new trustee if for any reason it appears to the Court expedient to do so.