Existing user? Sign in
Share your needs with us, get contacted by law firms.
Free. Takes 2 min.
Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child support in Brabrand is governed by Danish national family and maintenance law and applied locally through municipal services and national authorities. Whether parents live together or apart, both have a legal duty to financially support their children. Parents can agree on a maintenance arrangement privately, or they can formalize an agreement through the family authorities or the courts. Where a paying parent does not meet their obligations, public agencies can intervene to secure payments and enforce arrears. Brabrand is part of Aarhus Municipality, so many practical matters are handled via Aarhus Kommune and national agencies that administer maintenance and family law matters.
Child support situations often involve high emotion and complex legal issues. You may need a lawyer if you face any of the following situations:
- Disagreement about the amount of child support or how costs should be shared, including special needs or extraordinary expenses.
- Difficulty enforcing payments or collecting arrears from a non-paying parent.
- Cases involving paternity or parentage disputes that affect the duty to pay support.
- Cross-border or international situations where the other parent lives outside Denmark or has income abroad.
- Requests to modify an existing order because of a material change in circumstances - for example a change in income, unemployment, or a change in the childs living arrangements.
- Protection of rights in related matters such as custody, visitation, or allocation of parental responsibility where financial obligations are part of the dispute.
- Complex asset or income situations, including self-employment, multiple income sources, or concealed income.
Key points to understand about how child support is handled locally in Brabrand and Denmark generally:
- Legal framework - Danish maintenance law sets out the parental obligation to financially support children. Parents are expected to agree on support where possible, and the authorities or courts can impose an order if necessary.
- Agreement versus order - Parents can enter into a written agreement on maintenance. If they cannot agree, a decision can be made by the family authorities or by a court. Written agreements can be registered and enforced.
- Calculation of support - There is no single fixed formula that applies to every case. Courts and authorities will look at parents incomes, the childs needs, custody and time spent with each parent, and any extraordinary costs. National guidelines and case law inform typical levels.
- Enforcement - If a paying parent fails to pay, Udbetaling Danmark and other authorities can assist with collection. The state may provide maintenance advances in some situations and then seek reimbursement from the non-paying parent. Enforcement actions can include wage garnishment and seizure of assets.
- Paternity and parental responsibility - The legal obligation to pay normally follows from established parentage. If paternity is disputed, formal establishment may be required before a maintenance obligation can be enforced.
- Duration - Support obligations generally continue until the child is financially independent or reaches the age specified in the support agreement or court order. For many cases, obligations continue until adulthood and can extend through education if required by the agreement or order.
- International cases - Cross-border maintenance matters can be affected by international conventions and EU rules. The rules that apply depend on the countries involved and whether Denmark participates in the specific instrument. International enforcement is possible but can be more complex and usually benefits from specialist advice.
There is no one-size-fits-all calculation. Authorities and courts consider both parents incomes, the childs needs, custody arrangements, and any extraordinary costs. Parents can agree privately, but if you cannot agree the family authorities or court will set an amount based on these factors and national guidance.
Both parents share the responsibility to support their child. The parent who does not have the primary residence usually pays maintenance to the parent with whom the child lives, unless the parents share costs differently by agreement.
The obligation generally begins when the child needs support and one parent is providing the main care. It usually continues until the child is financially independent or reaches adulthood. Support may continue during higher education in some cases if agreed or ordered by a court.
Yes. A change in circumstances for either parent or the child - such as a significant income change, unemployment, or a change in custody - can justify a modification. You can ask the other parent to agree to a change, or apply to the family authorities or court to vary the order.
If the other parent fails to pay, you can report the matter to Udbetaling Danmark or seek help from municipal family services. The state can sometimes provide a maintenance advance and then pursue the paying parent for reimbursement. Enforcement measures can include wage garnishment and legal collection actions.
Documentary evidence is essential. Payslips, tax returns, bank statements, employment contracts, or business accounts for self-employed payers are commonly used. If the other parent is hiding income, a lawyer can advise on ways to request disclosure and present evidence to the authorities or court.
Paternity may need to be legally established before a maintenance obligation can be enforced. This can involve a voluntary acknowledgement of paternity, or a court action which may include DNA testing. Legal advice is recommended early in such situations.
Yes. There are several options for low-cost or free legal help. Aarhus Kommune offers local family counseling and initial guidance. There are also municipal legal advice sessions and organizations that provide limited free consultations. You should check eligibility for state legal aid or insurance-based legal protection, and consider asking for a preliminary meeting with a family law solicitor.
Cross-border cases are more complex. International agreements and EU regulations may apply to determine jurisdiction and enforceability. Authorities can help with cross-border enforcement in many cases, but you will likely need specialist advice to navigate international rules and procedures.
Bring identification for you and the child, any existing custody or maintenance agreements or court orders, payslips and tax statements, bank statements showing receipts and payments, details of living arrangements and custody, correspondence with the other parent about support, and any evidence of special expenses for the child. The more documentation you can provide, the better your lawyer can assess the case.
Useful bodies and organizations to contact for help in Brabrand and Aarhus area include:
- Aarhus Kommune - family and social services for local support and guidance on social benefits and family counseling.
- Udbetaling Danmark - national authority that administers child-related payments and can assist with maintenance collection and advances.
- Familieretshuset - the national family law service that helps with parental responsibility, custody, and related family law matters.
- Byretten i Aarhus - the local district court that handles contested family law cases and formal court proceedings.
- Local legal aid services and municipal legal advice clinics - these provide initial consultations and guidance.
- Civil society organisations focused on children and families - for practical and emotional support related to child welfare and rights.
If you need legal assistance with child support in Brabrand, follow these steps:
- Gather documentation - collect childs identification, proof of income, custody or residence evidence, and records of any support payments or arrears.
- Contact municipal services - reach out to Aarhus Kommune family services for guidance on benefits, maintenance advances, and available counseling.
- Seek initial legal advice - book a consultation with a family law solicitor or a free legal clinic to assess your situation and outline options.
- Consider mediation - if both parents can communicate safely, mediation can be a faster and less adversarial way to reach an agreement on support and related issues.
- Pursue enforcement or court action if necessary - if voluntary agreement is not possible and payments are not being made, a lawyer can help you request enforcement measures or bring a court application.
- Keep records - maintain clear records of all communications and payments. This documentation will be important for any authority or court proceeding.
If you are unsure where to start, arranging a short consultation with a family law practitioner or visiting the municipal legal advice service is a good first step to understand your rights and options.
