<\/p>\n
The minimum is an absolute limit. The court cannot award a lower amount, even if the payer is completely unemployed: a lack of income does not exempt them from the obligation to support their child.<\/p>\n
Percentages of income (Article 183 of the Family Code): for one child \u2014 \u00bc, for two \u2014 \u2153, for three or more \u2014 \u00bd of earnings. However, the amount cannot be lower than the guaranteed minimum or higher than 10 subsistence minimums for each child.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/alimenty-infografika.svg\")
<\/a><\/h2>\nThree ways to recover child maintenance<\/h2>\nCourt order \u2014 5 days<\/h3>\n
The quickest route. An application for a court order is submitted to recover a proportion of income: \u00bc, \u2153 or \u00bd (section 183(5) of the Family Code, section 161 of the Code of Civil Procedure).<\/p>\n
\n- the court considers the application without a hearing and without summoning the parties, within 5 days;<\/li>\n
- the order is immediately enforceable \u2014 take it to the enforcement officer;<\/li>\n
- no court fee is payable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Restrictions: the debtor has the right to apply for the order to be set aside within 15 days. If they do so, you will have to bring an action. Therefore, the order is effective where the debtor has a formal income and has no incentive to contest it.<\/p>\n
A claim \u2014 when there is something to prove<\/h3>\n
This is required when:<\/p>\n
\n- you want a fixed sum of money rather than a share of income;<\/li>\n
- the payer is concealing their income or declaring the minimum wage;<\/li>\n
- you need to recover additional costs for medical treatment, development or education (Article 185 of the Family Code);<\/li>\n
- other claims are being made at the same time \u2014 divorce, determination of the child\u2019s place of residence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Duration \u2014 2\u20134 months. The claimant does not pay court fees.<\/p>\n
Notarised agreement<\/h3>\n
If the payer agrees \u2014 this is the cheapest and quickest option. The maintenance payment agreement is notarised and has the force of an enforceable document: if the payer stops paying, the enforcement officer will collect the maintenance without going to court.<\/p>\n
When the payer \u2018earns nothing\u2019<\/h2>\n
The most common situation in our practice \u2014 and the one most easily resolved.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n- A sole trader with a zero tax return. Child maintenance is calculated not from zero, but based on the average wage in the payer\u2019s region of residence.<\/li>\n
- An unemployed person. The same approach applies: unemployment does not exempt one from paying maintenance; the calculation is based on the average wage.<\/li>\n
- Officially on the \u2018minimum wage\u2019, but in reality owning a car and property. The court has the right to determine the amount of maintenance based on the payer\u2019s actual standard of living, rather than on an income statement. This is substantiated by: extracts from property and vehicle registers, details of overseas travel, social media, and bank transactions. This is precisely where solicitors\u2019 enquiries are required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Arrears, penalty charges and enforcement measures<\/h2>\n
Penalty charges are levied for late payment of maintenance \u2014 1 per cent of the outstanding maintenance amount for each day of delay (Article 196 of the Family Code). Over the course of a year, this doubles the amount owed.<\/p>\n
Measures applied by the enforcement officer against the debtor:<\/p>\n
\n- seizure of bank accounts and property;<\/li>\n
- temporary restriction on travelling abroad;<\/li>\n
- temporary disqualification from driving;<\/li>\n
- restrictions on hunting and the possession of firearms;<\/li>\n
- inclusion in the Unified Register of Debtors \u2014 this blocks access to loans and many transactions;<\/li>\n
- community service or work for the public good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
If the debt is more than three months overdue, criminal liability arises for wilful evasion of maintenance payments (Article 164 of the Criminal Code).<\/p>\n
When a solicitor is not required<\/h2>\n
If the payer agrees and has a formal income \u2014 draw up a notarised agreement or apply for a court order yourself. This is quick, and no court fees are payable. We will not sell you legal services where they are not needed.<\/p>\n
You need a maintenance lawyer when:<\/p>\n
\n- the payer is concealing their income or is officially \u2018unemployed\u2019;<\/li>\n
- a fixed sum is required, rather than a percentage of income;<\/li>\n
- arrears have accumulated and penalty interest needs to be calculated;<\/li>\n
- the payer has set aside the court order \u2014 you will have to bring a claim;<\/li>\n
- you wish to increase the amount of maintenance already awarded;<\/li>\n
- the payer has moved abroad or gone missing;<\/li>\n
- the case concerns maintenance for an adult child under the age of 23 who is in education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How we work<\/h2>\n\n- We calculate the actual amount \u2014 based on income, the average regional wage or the payer\u2019s actual standard of living.<\/li>\n
- We choose the method \u2014 a court order, a claim or a notarised agreement.<\/li>\n
- We trace income and assets \u2014 through solicitors\u2019 enquiries to registers, banks and the tax authorities.<\/li>\n
- We prepare the documents and handle the case in court.<\/li>\n
- We calculate the debt and penalty interest, and recover them through a separate claim.<\/li>\n
- We oversee enforcement proceedings \u2014 until actual funds are in the account, with all restrictions imposed on the debtor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Cost of services (Alimony solicitor)<\/h2>\n
\n\n\nService<\/th>\n Price<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n\nConsultation with a maintenance lawyer<\/td>\n from 1,500 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nLegal opinion: calculation of the amount and strategy<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNotarised maintenance agreement, negotiations<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nApplication for a court order or statement of claim<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nAttendance at one court hearing<\/td>\n from 3,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCourt representation<\/td>\n from 10,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nComprehensive \u2018turnkey\u2019 case management<\/td>\n from 25,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSupport in enforcement proceedings and debt recovery<\/td>\n from 3,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
No court fee is payable for a claim for maintenance \u2014 the claimant is exempt from it by law.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Court order \u2014 5 days<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n
Restrictions: the debtor has the right to apply for the order to be set aside within 15 days. If they do so, you will have to bring an action. Therefore, the order is effective where the debtor has a formal income and has no incentive to contest it.<\/p>\n
A claim \u2014 when there is something to prove<\/h3>\n
This is required when:<\/p>\n
- \n
- you want a fixed sum of money rather than a share of income;<\/li>\n
- the payer is concealing their income or declaring the minimum wage;<\/li>\n
- you need to recover additional costs for medical treatment, development or education (Article 185 of the Family Code);<\/li>\n
- other claims are being made at the same time \u2014 divorce, determination of the child\u2019s place of residence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Duration \u2014 2\u20134 months. The claimant does not pay court fees.<\/p>\n
Notarised agreement<\/h3>\n
If the payer agrees \u2014 this is the cheapest and quickest option. The maintenance payment agreement is notarised and has the force of an enforceable document: if the payer stops paying, the enforcement officer will collect the maintenance without going to court.<\/p>\n
When the payer \u2018earns nothing\u2019<\/h2>\n
The most common situation in our practice \u2014 and the one most easily resolved.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
- \n
- A sole trader with a zero tax return. Child maintenance is calculated not from zero, but based on the average wage in the payer\u2019s region of residence.<\/li>\n
- An unemployed person. The same approach applies: unemployment does not exempt one from paying maintenance; the calculation is based on the average wage.<\/li>\n
- Officially on the \u2018minimum wage\u2019, but in reality owning a car and property. The court has the right to determine the amount of maintenance based on the payer\u2019s actual standard of living, rather than on an income statement. This is substantiated by: extracts from property and vehicle registers, details of overseas travel, social media, and bank transactions. This is precisely where solicitors\u2019 enquiries are required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Arrears, penalty charges and enforcement measures<\/h2>\n
Penalty charges are levied for late payment of maintenance \u2014 1 per cent of the outstanding maintenance amount for each day of delay (Article 196 of the Family Code). Over the course of a year, this doubles the amount owed.<\/p>\n
Measures applied by the enforcement officer against the debtor:<\/p>\n
- \n
- seizure of bank accounts and property;<\/li>\n
- temporary restriction on travelling abroad;<\/li>\n
- temporary disqualification from driving;<\/li>\n
- restrictions on hunting and the possession of firearms;<\/li>\n
- inclusion in the Unified Register of Debtors \u2014 this blocks access to loans and many transactions;<\/li>\n
- community service or work for the public good.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
If the debt is more than three months overdue, criminal liability arises for wilful evasion of maintenance payments (Article 164 of the Criminal Code).<\/p>\n
When a solicitor is not required<\/h2>\n
If the payer agrees and has a formal income \u2014 draw up a notarised agreement or apply for a court order yourself. This is quick, and no court fees are payable. We will not sell you legal services where they are not needed.<\/p>\n
You need a maintenance lawyer when:<\/p>\n
- \n
- the payer is concealing their income or is officially \u2018unemployed\u2019;<\/li>\n
- a fixed sum is required, rather than a percentage of income;<\/li>\n
- arrears have accumulated and penalty interest needs to be calculated;<\/li>\n
- the payer has set aside the court order \u2014 you will have to bring a claim;<\/li>\n
- you wish to increase the amount of maintenance already awarded;<\/li>\n
- the payer has moved abroad or gone missing;<\/li>\n
- the case concerns maintenance for an adult child under the age of 23 who is in education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How we work<\/h2>\n
- \n
- We calculate the actual amount \u2014 based on income, the average regional wage or the payer\u2019s actual standard of living.<\/li>\n
- We choose the method \u2014 a court order, a claim or a notarised agreement.<\/li>\n
- We trace income and assets \u2014 through solicitors\u2019 enquiries to registers, banks and the tax authorities.<\/li>\n
- We prepare the documents and handle the case in court.<\/li>\n
- We calculate the debt and penalty interest, and recover them through a separate claim.<\/li>\n
- We oversee enforcement proceedings \u2014 until actual funds are in the account, with all restrictions imposed on the debtor.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Cost of services (Alimony solicitor)<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \nService<\/th>\n Price<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Consultation with a maintenance lawyer<\/td>\n from 1,500 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Legal opinion: calculation of the amount and strategy<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Notarised maintenance agreement, negotiations<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Application for a court order or statement of claim<\/td>\n from 5,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Attendance at one court hearing<\/td>\n from 3,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Court representation<\/td>\n from 10,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Comprehensive \u2018turnkey\u2019 case management<\/td>\n from 25,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Support in enforcement proceedings and debt recovery<\/td>\n from 3,000 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n
No court fee is payable for a claim for maintenance \u2014 the claimant is exempt from it by law.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n