Family Law · European Union
Secure the Child Support Your Child Is Entitled To
Child support is the financial contribution a non-resident parent makes towards raising their child — and getting the amount right, and actually receiving it, is often the hardest part of separation. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted family lawyer who handles child maintenance cases across Europe, whether you are claiming, defending or enforcing.
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Who this is for
Child support is a right of the child — but turning it into a payment is another matter
Child support, often called child maintenance, is the periodic payment one parent makes to help cover the cost of raising their child after separation, and it is treated across Europe as an obligation owed to the child rather than a favour to the other parent. The amount is typically calculated by reference to the paying parent’s income, the child’s needs and the number of children, though the precise formulas and guidelines differ from country to country — some use fixed tables, others a more discretionary, needs-based approach. Beyond the amount lies a second, often harder problem: payment. Arrears, missed payments and parents who move abroad or conceal income are common, and enforcing a support order across borders raises its own legal questions. Whether you are a parent struggling to receive support or one facing an unfair demand, expert guidance ensures the calculation is correct and the obligation is actually met.
Why support goes unpaid or unfair
The amount is only half the battle.
Getting it paid is the other half.
Hidden income, cross-border parents and orders that are never enforced leave children without the support the law says they are owed.
Income hidden or disputed
A paying parent who understates earnings, works cash-in-hand or shifts income can leave the calculated amount far below what the child is genuinely entitled to.
Arrears that pile up
Missed and partial payments accumulate quickly, and without prompt legal action the debt can become very hard to recover and the child’s needs go unmet.
Cross-border enforcement
When the paying parent lives in another country, enforcing a support order abroad involves complex international rules that most parents simply cannot navigate on their own.
What you get
A child support lawyer who gets the amount right and the payment made
We only match you with family lawyers who handle child maintenance claims, disputes and enforcement regularly in your country.
Accurate calculation
Your lawyer works out the correct support level using your country’s guidelines and the true financial picture, so the amount reflects what the child is entitled to.
Income investigation
Where income is hidden or disputed, your lawyer pursues full financial disclosure so the calculation is not based on understated, incomplete or misleading financial figures.
Arrears recovery
Unpaid and missed payments are pursued through the proper legal channels, so accumulated debt is addressed promptly rather than being allowed to grow unchecked year after year.
Cross-border enforcement
Where the paying parent lives abroad, your lawyer advises on enforcing and modifying the order under the relevant international rules and agreements that apply to your specific case.
Coverage
Child support lawyers across Europe
Child support formulas and enforcement mechanisms are national, and cross-border cases add a layer of international rules, so the right lawyer is one who practices in the relevant jurisdiction. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Child support — common questions
How is child support calculated?
Each European country has its own method — some use fixed tables or guidelines based mainly on the paying parent’s income and the number of children, while others take a more discretionary, needs-based approach. Your lawyer will apply the method used in your jurisdiction.
Who has to pay child support?
Generally the parent with whom the child does not primarily live contributes towards the child’s upkeep, but the obligation depends on the custody arrangement, both parents’ incomes and the local rules. In shared-custody cases the calculation can differ.
What happens if my ex-partner stops paying?
Unpaid child support is a debt that can be pursued through the proper legal and enforcement channels, which vary by country. Acting promptly is important, as arrears become harder to recover the longer they are left.
Can child support be enforced across borders?
Yes. International instruments and EU regulations allow child support orders to be recognised and enforced across many countries, and there are mechanisms to trace a paying parent abroad. A specialist lawyer can advise on the correct route.
Can a child support order be changed later?
In most countries the amount can be reviewed and adjusted when circumstances change materially — for example, a change in income, the child’s needs, or the custody arrangement. A lawyer can advise whether a variation is possible in your case.
What if I believe the amount demanded is unfair?
You are entitled to have the calculation checked against the correct income figures and the relevant guidelines. A lawyer can review the basis of the demand and, where it is wrong, challenge or correct it through the proper process.
Free case review
Your child’s financial security shouldn’t depend on a goodwill
Tell us your situation and we’ll connect you with a child support lawyer who handles maintenance cases in your country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.