{"id":3468,"date":"2026-07-08T17:12:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/blog\/yak-styagnuti-alimenti\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T13:05:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T10:05:08","slug":"yak-styagnuti-alimenti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svaroglaw.com\/en\/blog\/yak-styagnuti-alimenti\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I claim child maintenance?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Short answer.<\/strong> Child maintenance for one child is \u00bc of the payer\u2019s income; for two children, \u2153; and for three or more, \u00bd (Article 183 of the Family Code). In 2026, the amount cannot be less than 50 per cent of the minimum subsistence level: 1,408.50 UAH per child under 6 years of age and 1,756 UAH per child aged 6 to 18. There are two ways to recover child maintenance \u2014 by agreement between the parents or through the courts (by court order or legal action). Unemployment or a lack of official income does not exempt a parent from the obligation to provide child maintenance.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Child maintenance is the responsibility of both parents, but in practice this obligation is not always fulfilled. When an agreement cannot be reached, the question arises: exactly how much can be recovered and how. The answer depends on the circumstances \u2014 whether the payer is in work, where they live, and whether they have an official income. Below, we will examine the specific amounts for 2026, both methods of recovery, and what to do when a court order exists but the money is not being paid.<\/p>\n

How much child maintenance can be recovered in 2026<\/h2>\n

The amount of child maintenance is determined in two ways: as a percentage of the payer\u2019s income or as a fixed sum. Under Article 183 of the Family Code of Ukraine, the proportion of income is one quarter for one child, one third for two children, and one half for three or more children. At the same time, the law sets a minimum threshold. Under Part 2 of Article 182 of the Family Code, child maintenance for one child cannot be less than 50 per cent of the subsistence minimum for a child of the relevant age. As the subsistence minimum in 2026 is 2,817 UAH for children under 6 years of age and 3,512 UAH for children aged 6 to 18, the minimum child maintenance amounts are as follows:<\/p>\n

<\/ tr><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Child\u2019s age<\/th>\nSubsistence minimum 2026<\/ th><\/th>\nMinimum maintenance (50%)<\/th>\nMaximum (10 times the subsistence minimum)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Up to 6 years old<\/td>\n2,817 UAH<\/td>\n1,408.50 UAH<\/td>\n28,170 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
From 6 to 18 years<\/td>\n3,512 UAH<\/td>\n1,756 UAH<\/td>\n35,120 UAH<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The maximum amount of child maintenance is capped at ten times the minimum subsistence level per child (Article 183(5) of the Family Code). Important point: even if the payer is not officially employed, the court cannot set an amount below the minimum guaranteed level. The subsistence minimum for 2026 will remain unchanged throughout the year \u2014 the next increase is scheduled only from 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n

\"\u2018How\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Ways to claim child maintenance<\/h2>\n

Voluntary agreement between parents<\/h3>\n

Parents can independently determine the arrangements for the child\u2019s maintenance by entering into a notarised child maintenance agreement. This should specify the amount of monthly payments, the timing and method of transferring funds, as well as contributions towards additional expenses \u2014 such as education or medical treatment. Such an agreement has the force of an enforceable document: if one of the parties fails to comply with it, the other party can immediately apply to the enforcement officer, without going to court.<\/p>\n

Court proceedings<\/h3>\n

If an agreement cannot be reached, maintenance is enforced through the courts. There are two options here. A court order is a simplified and faster procedure used when there is no dispute over paternity and maintenance is recovered as a proportion of income. Legal proceedings \u2014 used when there is a dispute, a fixed amount is required, or there are additional circumstances. When making a decision, the court takes into account the child\u2019s needs, the income of both parents, their marital status and other relevant circumstances. Once the decision comes into force, it is referred for enforcement.<\/p>\n

What documents are required<\/h2>\n

The specific set of documents depends on the situation, but the basic set is as follows:<\/p>\n