Parents are required to provide child support. If a parent does not live in the same household as their child, they are required to provide child support in the form of monetary payments. However, this parent does not always do so. There may be various reasons for this. Those affected are left wondering how they should proceed.

A child has a legal right to child support. The Youth Welfare Office can provide legal advice to a parent who is actually caring for a child and, in appropriate cases, offer further support. For example, the office can sometimes draft simple letters to the other parent. If the financial circumstances of the parent obligated to pay are known, it is possible to determine what amount of child support is realistic.

However, the circumstances are always individual and can be discussed in a personal meeting.

If the parent with sole custody wishes, a guardianship can be established. The Youth Welfare Office can then, acting on behalf of the child, independently approach the parent obligated to pay child support.

For example, it can

• calculate the amount of child support,
• demand payments from the parent,
• verify receipt of payments,
• file a lawsuit if necessary, and
  have child support arrears garnished.

Even if a guardianship is established, there is no guarantee that child support payments will actually be collected.

A guardianship ends automatically when the child reaches the age of majority.

Young adults can receive counseling from the Youth Welfare Office on child support matters until their 21st birthday. Support may also be offered to them in appropriate cases.

For individuals of legal age, the Youth Welfare Office advises only the children, not the parents.

The unmarried mother of a child has her own claim for child support against the father during maternity leave under Section 1615l of the German Civil Code (BGB). The Youth Welfare Office can advise the mother of a child regarding her own claims for child support during the six-week period before and, as a rule, three years after the child’s birth, and provide support in appropriate cases. Maintenance may be extended beyond the child’s third birthday if this is necessary in light of the child’s best interests and available care options (child-related grounds for extension).

If the father cares for the child immediately after birth, he is entitled to child support from the mother. In this case as well, the Youth Welfare Office can offer counseling and, in appropriate cases, assistance.

Note: Due to staffing shortages, there may unfortunately be delays in processing these cases. We appreciate your understanding.

Further information and details on the relevant responsibilities can be found here:

Guardianship and Child Support (opens in a new tab)