Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 76A.djvu/788

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–692–

-692CHAPTER 13—SUPPORT OF RELATIONS Sec. 421. 422. 423. 424. 425. 426. 427. 428. 429. 430. 431.

Support of wife. Support of wife on abandonment or separation; husband's earnings. Support of busband. Duties of parents; support and education. Death of parent without providing for support. Reciprocal duties of parents and children. Action for relief from obligation to support parent. Parent's liability for necessaries or support. Wife's children by former marriage. Compensation and support of adult child. Penalty for abandonment or failure to support wife or child.

§ 421. Support of wife If a husband neglects to make adequate provisions for the support of his wife, except in the cases provided for by section 422 of this title, any other person may, in good faith, supply her with articles necessary for her support, and recover their reasonable value from the husband. § 422. Support of wife on abandonment or separation; husband's earnings A husband abandoned by his wife is not liable for her support until she offers to return, unless she was justified in abandoning him by his misconduct. During the period of unjustified abandonment, prior to the wife's offer to return, the earnings of the husband are his separate property. A husband is not liable for his wife's support when she is living separate from him by written agreement, unless the support is stipulated in the agreement. § 423. Support of husband A wife shall support the husband out of her separate property when: (1) he has not deserted her; (2) he does not have separate property; (3) there is no community property; and (4) he is unable, from infirmity, to support himself. § 424. Duties of parents; support and education A parent entitled to the custody of a child shall give him support and education suitable to his circumstances; but if a child has sufficient earnings of his own, the cost of his support and education may be taken therefrom. If the support and education which the father of a legitimate child is able to give are inadequate, the mother shall assist him to the extent of her ability. § 425. Death of parent without providing for support If a parent chargeable with the support of a child dies, leaving it a public charge, and leaving an estate sufficient for its support, the United States attornej^ may claim provision for its support from the parent's estate by civil action. For this purpose, the United States attorney may have the same remedies as any creditor against the estate, and against the heirs and next of kin of the parent. § 426. Reciprocal duties of parents and children A father, mother, and children of a poor person unable to maintain himself by work, shall maintain him to the extent of their ability. The promise of an adult child to pay for necessaries previously furnished to his parent is binding.