Maintenance of wife and minor children; enforcement

§ 16–916. Maintenance of wife and minor children; enforcementWhen a husband fails or refuses to maintain his wife and minor children, if any, although able so to do, the court, on application of the wife, pendente lite and permanently, may decree that he shall pay her, periodically, such sums as would be allowed to her as pendente lite or permanent alimony in case of divorce for the maintenance of herself and the minor children, if any, committed to her care by the court. The court may enforce the payment thereof in the same manner as directed in regard to the payment of permanent alimony.