Child maintenance
From birth, the child is entitled to monthly maintenance from the parent with whom it does not live in the same household. Under certain circumstances, additional or special needs may be requested (e.g. kindergarten fees). The amount of maintenance depends on the personal and financial circumstances of the person liable for maintenance. The local youth welfare office can advise and support you in this regard. In order to secure the child's maintenance claim against the debtor, it is advisable to set out the maintenance obligation in writing in a deed. The maintenance certificate can be drawn up free of charge by the debtor at the youth welfare office, as long as the child entitled to maintenance is under 21 years of age. The document can also be notarised at the local court, notary and abroad at German diplomatic missions.
Benefits under the Maintenance Advance Act (UVG)
If the parent liable for cash maintenance does not fulfil their maintenance obligation, you can apply for benefits for your child under the Maintenance Advance Act (Unterhaltsvorschussgesetz). Maintenance payments can be made by the youth welfare office on application under certain conditions.
A child receives an advance on maintenance payments if it
- has a place of residence or habitual abode in Germany and
- lives here with a single parent and
- does not receive maintenance from the other parent or only partially or not regularly in the amount of the statutory minimum maintenance in accordance with Section 1612a (1) of the German Civil Code (BGB) and
- has not yet reached the age of 18.
For a child between the ages of 12 and 18, there is an additional requirement that
- the child is not dependent on benefits in accordance with the Second Book of the German Social Code (SGB II) or
- the single parent in receipt of SGB II benefits earns their own gross income of at least 600 euros per month.
Benefits in accordance with the Maintenance Advance Act (UVG) must be applied for in writing.
Forms can be obtained from the local youth welfare office or online:
