Child support not being paid? How to enforce it
The other parent pays no or too little support for your child? The support belongs to the child, and you do not have to enforce it alone. The youth welfare office helps free of charge, and there is a state advance payment if nothing comes in.
Reach your next steps and the matching ready-made texts in just a few minutes, free of charge:
Assert child support →Your chances of getting your money back
What you should do now
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1. Apply for legal assistance (Beistandschaft) at the youth welfare office
The youth welfare office helps free of charge to establish, title and enforce the support.
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2. Quantify the support
Determine the claim according to the Düsseldorf Table (age of the child, income of the person liable).
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3. Demand payment
Ask the other parent in writing, with a deadline, to pay and to provide an enforceable support title.
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4. Check the advance maintenance payment
If nothing comes in, apply for advance maintenance payment at the youth welfare office so your child does not go without.
Frequently asked questions
Who helps me enforce the support?
The youth welfare office through a Beistandschaft, free of charge. It helps to have the support established, to create a title and, if necessary, to enforce it. In addition, lawyers for family law advise (possibly with legal aid).
What if the other parent pays nothing at all?
Then you can apply for advance maintenance payment (Unterhaltsvorschuss) at the youth welfare office. The state then pays (up to certain age limits and maximum amounts) and recovers the money from the parent liable for support.
Take action now
We put together the ready-made texts and the right places to contact for you.
General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.