Claiming child support in a faster, simpler court process

You must submit the application using the application form, which can be obtained from the youth welfare office or the local court. The form is also available for download.

• You make the application as the authorized person
  
  • either in your own name for the child
    
    • if you are married to the other parent and you live separately or
    • a matrimonial case is pending between you.
  • or in the name of the child as its legal representative.
• You submit the completed and signed application, along with the necessary supporting documents, to your local family court at the district court.
• The court will notify the respondent in writing that a child support order has been filed.
• The person liable for maintenance is given the opportunity to raise objections within one month:
  
  • The law provides only under narrow conditions that objections of the defendant are considered in the simplified maintenance proceedings.
• For clarification purposes, the defendant must disclose his or her income and financial circumstances:
  
  • Encloses appropriate supporting documents.
  • Declares the extent to which he or she is willing to pay maintenance.
• The court will inform you of any objections and the information provided.
• If the respondent declares his or her willingness to pay maintenance in whole or in part, or raises no objections or only inadmissible objections, the court will set the maintenance accordingly by order.
• Note: Otherwise, the simplified proceedings have failed and will be transferred to the contentious proceedings upon application.

• For the applicant(s):
  
  • The form "Antrag auf Festsetzung von Unterhalt nach § 249 FamFG (Vereinfachtes Verfahren)" - available at the youth welfare office or at any local court.
  • A statement of income and financial circumstances of the child and parents (if known).
  • Any proofs and supporting documents about the income situation.
• For the Respondent(s):
  
  • Objection form - available from the district court.
  • Corresponding evidence and supporting documents.

• Application for determination of child maintenance
  

• Data sheet for objections
  

- Legal costs
- Lawyer's fees
Both are based on the amount in dispute.

What deadlines must be paid attention to?

Maintenance can only be determined for or from the time the child is a minor; maintenance for the past can only be demanded under certain conditions.

How long does it take to process

Usually about two months, depending on the individual case.

• §§ 1601 ff. Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)
• § 111 Nr. 8 Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG) für Familienstreitsachen
• § 112 Nr. 1 Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG) für Familienstreitsachen
• § 113 Abs. 1 Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG) für Familienstreitsachen
• § 114 Abs. 1 Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG) für Familienstreitsachen
• §§ 249 ff. Gesetz über das Verfahren in Familiensachen und in den Angelegenheiten der freiwilligen Gerichtsbarkeit (FamFG)

• Merkblatt zum Antragsformular Antrag auf Festsetzung von Kindesunterhalt
• Hinweisblatt für die Einwendungen
• Die Düsseldorfer Tabelle
• Die unterhaltsrechtlichen Leitlinien der Oberlandesgerichte
• Informationen zum Thema Unterhalt