From Temporary to Permanent: 10 Years of Changes in Law for Child Support and Alimony Payment

In the past decade, the government has made significant changes to the Law on Temporary Maintenance to better protect children whose non-custodial parent does not pay or only partially pays alimony. These changes include increasing the amount paid by the state to a child from an average of 100 to 200 euros and ensuring that the child receives the full legal minimum amount even if the person responsible for payments does not meet this requirement. The payment period has also been extended, now lasting until the children reach the age of majority or up to age 26 if they are still in school. Those with serious and permanent illness or disability will be eligible for temporary maintenance for as long as their incapacity lasts.

The process for recognizing and paying temporary maintenance will now be handled by the Agency for Insurance Workers’ Claims, with grandparents no longer being responsible for providing maintenance. The state will demand repayment from non-paying parents with default interest and repo options such as foreclosing bank accounts or enabling debt repayment through public work. The debt will not be claimed from heirs if the liable person passes away.

All political parties support these changes, with opposition questioning why the state does not pursue additional options like foreclosing on companies or property of higher value from those who do not pay alimony. They suggest that the state pay the full amount of alimony, shorten processing times for requests, and raise concerns about the Agency’s capacity to handle this new responsibility.

The second reading of the Law on Temporary Maintenance in parliament is expected in the fall, with new rules set to take effect at year’s end. Opposition has raised concerns regarding implementation and effectiveness of these changes.

In summary, ten years ago, a significant update was made to law protecting children who did not receive adequate financial support from their non-custodial parents through increased government funding and extended payment periods. Grandparents were no longer responsible for providing maintenance while those who did not meet their financial obligations were held accountable through repayment demands with interest options available. All political parties supported these updates but raised questions about possible improvements such as paying alimony in full or shortening processing times while raising concerns about capacity of handling new responsibilities by Agency Insurance Workers’ Claims.