Maintenance obligation: basics

In short: A maintenance obligation means the legal duty to provide for the living costs of dependent relatives, for example children after a separation. The amount depends on income and need.

In more detail: In Germany, the Civil Code primarily regulates maintenance obligations between relatives.

In detail

• Child maintenance: The parent the child does not live with usually pays cash maintenance according to the Düsseldorf table.
• Care maintenance: Can apply for the caring parent after a separation.
• Spousal maintenance: Possible for a limited time or permanently after a divorce, depending on circumstances.
• Parental maintenance: Under certain conditions, children can be obliged to support parents in need of care.
• Protected minimum: A minimum amount remains for the person’s own living costs.
• Advance maintenance payment: Steps in when the liable parent does not pay.
• Advice: Youth welfare offices and lawyers help with calculating and enforcing claims (sorgerecht-und-umgangsrecht).