Child support for children aged 15 and 19

Questioner

I pay child support for 2 children who live with their mother! One child is 15 and the other is 19. The oldest has a sickness benefit of €888 per month. Do I still have to pay alimony for the oldest?

Lawyer

Let's start with the oldest child. The child is now an adult and receives benefits. This can affect the child support, because the child now has its own source of income. However, the amount of the benefit and the specific costs that the child has are important factors to take into account when determining the amount of child support. In addition, it is also important to look at the living situation of the child. Does the child still read at home or does the child live on its own? This can also affect the amount of child support. In general, after the age of 18, alimony is paid directly to the child. This can also be discussed with the child, should he or she agree to a reduction or termination of alimony in view of his or her allowance. However, it is important to involve the other parent in this in order to reach an agreement together. As for the youngest child, we understand that he or she is still a minor and therefore still completely dependent on your financial support. In this case, the amount of child support as determined by the judge applies, unless there have been significant changes in your financial situations that justify a review of the support. If this child now has an income of their own, such as a part-time job, this can also affect child support. However, it is important to note that income from a part-time job is often not enough to fully support a child. In either case, if a disagreement arises between you and the other parent over the amount of child support, it will ultimately be the judge who will make a binding decision based on the specific circumstances of your situations. These are complex matters that require careful assessment and legal guidance. Hence, it would be wise to contact a lawyer or attorney to get appropriate advice on the situation of both children based on the specific details.