Child support - alimony indexing in Lithuania: what you need to know?

Indexation of child support is important in times of inflation to maintain the purchasing power of money

Problem: Child Support Indexation Not Maintained

In Lithuania, the amount of child support (alimony) is determined based on the child's needs and the parents' financial capabilities, but it may be insufficient if it loses value over time due to inflation. Legal acts provide that the amount of support must be periodically indexed, but in practice there are often cases when one of the parents does not comply with this requirement. This means that the child receives a smaller real benefit than he is entitled to under the law.

Non-indexation causes financial losses for the child and the parent who raises him

If maintenance is not indexed, the child's daily expenses become increasingly difficult to cover. Inflation means that the money that was sufficient a few years ago no longer meets the child's basic needs. As a result, additional financial sources may have to be sought, which causes additional stress and financial burden for the parent who takes care of the child every day.

How is child support indexed?

According to Lithuanian legislation, the amount of child support must be indexed based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is published by Statistics Lithuania.

The most important aspects of indexation:

• Indexation is carried out once a year - in February, based on the CPI data of the previous calendar year.

• Maintenance is indexed if the consumer price index is 101 or higher.

• After the first indexation of a periodic payment, the recalculated periodic payments are subsequently indexed.

• Periodic payments that have been assigned or changed by a final court decision within the last 6 months before February 1 are not indexed.

• Indexation must be carried out by the debtor (the person paying the maintenance) or, if he does not do so, by the bailiff carrying out the recovery. Indexation must also be carried out by the employer who makes deductions from the debtor's salary.

  
  

What to do if alimony is not indexed?

If you notice that child support has not been indexed and the debtor does not fulfill this obligation, you can take the following actions:

1. Apply to the debtor in writing and demand indexation.

2. Contact a bailiff if the indexation of alimony has not been performed and the debtor continues to ignore the obligation, submit a court decision ordering the bailiff to pay the alimony in periodic payments.

3. Consult with lawyers to assess your chances of receiving correctly calculated alimony.

If you are facing a problem with alimony indexation and need professional legal assistance, contact our law firm Zabulis Legal. We will help ensure that the alimony due to your child is properly indexed and paid.

📩 Contact us: info@zabulislegal.com

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