The issue of alimony remains one of the most sensitive in family legal relations. It is not only about money, but also about ensuring the needs of the child and the stability of his life after the termination of relations between the parents. In 2026, the procedure for collecting alimony in Ukraine is generally based on the provisions of the Family Code of Ukraine and procedural legislation, although the details always depend on the specific situation.
This material explains how alimony is typically filed, what methods exist, what documents may be required, and what difficulties applicants most often encounter. The information is general in nature and does not constitute personal legal advice, as each case is unique.
What is alimony and who has the right to demand it?
Alimony is money that one of the parents is obligated to pay for the maintenance of a child. The main purpose of such payments is to ensure an adequate standard of living, education, medical care, and development of the child, regardless of whether the parents live together.
The right to claim alimony is usually held by the parent or legal guardian with whom the child lives. In some cases, alimony may also be collected for the maintenance of one of the spouses or adult children, but the most common category of cases is alimony for minors.
What methods of collecting alimony exist?
As a rule, there are two main ways to resolve the issue of alimony. The first is a voluntary agreement between the parents. The second is an appeal to the court in the absence of agreement or violation of the agreement.
Parents can enter into a written agreement on the payment of child support, specifying the amount, terms, and procedure for payments. Such an agreement can be notarized, which gives it additional legal force.
If an agreement cannot be reached, a court application is usually filed to collect child support. The court order applies both during and after a marriage, as well as in cases where the parents were never legally married.
In what form can alimony be collected?
The court may determine alimony as a percentage of the payer’s income or as a fixed amount of money. The choice of form depends on many factors, including the stability of income, the availability of formal employment, and the financial capabilities of the parties.
Income-based contributions are usually used when the payer has a regular official income. A fixed amount may be appropriate in cases of irregular or unofficial earnings, as well as to ensure a more predictable level of payments.
The specific amount of alimony is determined taking into account the needs of the child, the financial situation of the parents, and other significant circumstances. The law sets certain guidelines, but the final decision depends on the evidence and judicial assessment.
How to apply for alimony through the court
Filing for child support through the court usually begins with preparing a statement. It includes information about the parties, the child, the justification for the claim, and the desired method of collecting the funds.
The application is usually accompanied by documents confirming family ties, the child’s place of residence, and other important circumstances. These may include birth certificates, court decisions on divorce, income certificates, or other confirmation of financial status.
In some cases, simplified proceedings are possible, for example in the format of a court order, which allows for a faster decision provided that there is no dispute regarding paternity or other key facts.
Court order or lawsuit: what’s the difference?
A court order is a simplified form of court decision that is used in relatively simple cases. It is usually used when the requirements are clear and there is no complex dispute between the parties.
Litigation is used in more complex situations, when the parties disagree on the amount of child support, the child’s place of residence, or other important issues. Such proceedings may take longer, but provide an opportunity to more fully investigate the circumstances of the case.
The choice of procedure depends on the specific situation and the presence of a conflict between the parties.
What does the court take into account when determining the amount of alimony?
When deciding on child support, the court typically assesses the child’s needs, the financial situation of both parents, their health, the presence of other dependents, and the level of involvement of each parent in raising the child.
Expenses for education, treatment, development of the child’s abilities and other justified needs may also be taken into account. The evidence provided, including financial documents and confirmation of actual expenses, plays an important role.
The final amount of alimony depends on a combination of circumstances and cannot always be predicted in advance.
Alimony if the payer is abroad or serves in the Armed Forces of Ukraine
In modern conditions, situations where one of the parents lives outside Ukraine or is serving in the military are quite common. This does not cancel the obligation to support the child, but may affect the mechanism for enforcing the court decision.
As a rule, alimony can be collected from income received both in Ukraine and abroad, but practical implementation depends on international agreements, financial instruments, and the capabilities of the enforcement service.
In the case of military personnel, maintenance may be provided from cash benefits, but the specific procedure depends on current regulations and individual circumstances.
What to do if alimony is not paid
After receiving a court decision, the next stage is its enforcement. If the payer evades payment, the decision can be transferred for enforcement to state or private enforcement agencies.
Чинне законодавство передбачає низку заходів впливу на боржників, зокрема фінансові санкції, тимчасові обмеження у правах та інші механізми стимулювання виконання зобов’язань. Конкретні заходи залежать від суми заборгованості та тривалості прострочення.
Can the amount of alimony be changed in the future?
The amount of alimony is not final for the entire period. If there are significant changes in the financial situation of the parties, the needs of the child, or other important circumstances, it may be reviewed in court.
Such changes may be due to increased costs for education, medical care, the emergence of new dependents, or a change in the payer’s income level. Each situation is assessed individually, taking into account the evidence.
Practical difficulties when applying for child support
In practice, applicants often face a lack of information about the payer’s income, lack of contact with the other party, or difficulties in gathering evidence. Additional challenges may arise if the payer is abroad or in temporarily occupied territories.
There may also be delays in processing cases or enforcing decisions due to the burden on the judicial system and enforcement agencies. In such circumstances, it is especially important to act consistently and record all material circumstances.
How to prepare for submitting an application
Advance preparation can make the process much easier. It is usually advisable to gather documents confirming family ties, child support expenses, income of the parties, and other relevant facts.
It is also useful to determine in advance the preferred method of collecting alimony and formulate a justification for your position. A systematic approach helps to avoid unnecessary procedural difficulties.
The role of legal support in alimony cases
Although the law allows you to go to court on your own, in complex or conflicting cases, legal assistance can significantly increase the chances of an effective outcome. This is especially true when disputes arise regarding income, paternity, the child’s place of residence, or when the payer is outside of Ukraine.
A lawyer can help prepare procedural documents, collect necessary evidence, represent interests in court, and monitor the execution of the decision.
Result
Filing for alimony in Ukraine in 2026 is carried out according to the general rules of family and procedural law. The procedure can be relatively simple in the case of mutual agreement of the parties or more complicated in the presence of disputes.
Understanding the main stages, possible options and legal mechanisms helps to better navigate your rights and next steps. At the same time, each case is unique, so final decisions should be made taking into account specific circumstances.
Юридична компанія SENSE супроводжує справи щодо стягнення аліментів, зміни їх розміру, примусового виконання рішень та захисту інтересів дітей. Консультація з фахівцем дозволяє детально розібрати ситуацію та обрати найбільш зважену правову стратегію.