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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child support in Denmark is governed by national family law and administered through public agencies and the courts. Parents have a legal obligation - underholdspligt - to provide financial support for their children until they reach the age of 18, and in some cases beyond if the child is still in education or needs continued support. In practice, parents can agree privately on a maintenance arrangement, or the matter can be handled administratively by Familieretshuset and Udbetaling Danmark, or decided by the district court if there is no agreement. If a paying parent fails to meet their obligation, public authorities can assist with enforcement, including state advance schemes and wage garnishment.
You may need a lawyer when child support issues are contested, complex, or have significant financial or jurisdictional consequences. Common situations include:
- Disputes about how much the non-custodial parent should pay, including disagreements about income, deductions, or the child s actual needs.
- A paying parent stops paying or only pays intermittently and enforcement or a state advance is required.
- One parent wants to change an existing support order because of a significant change in income, employment, or the child s circumstances.
- Paternity is disputed or needs to be established to create an obligation to pay.
- Cross-border situations where a parent lives in another EU or non-EU country and you need to establish or enforce maintenance across borders.
- Cases involving complex family arrangements, such as shared custody with alternating residence, high net-worth parents, or when support issues are linked to separation, divorce, or custody proceedings.
- You need representation at the district court (Byret) or before administrative bodies like Familieretshuset, or you need advice about eligibility for state assistance or appeals.
Key legal and administrative features relevant in Hedensted include:
- National framework - Child support law is set at the national level in Denmark. Hedensted follows the same rules as the rest of the country, with enforcement and administration handled by national agencies and the local court system.
- Familieretshuset - This agency handles many family-law matters administratively, including child support agreements, paternity questions, and parental responsibility matters. Families often start here when they want mediation or an administrative decision.
- Udbetaling Danmark - This agency administers payments and collections related to child maintenance, including the state advance on child support, and can pursue enforcement measures like wage garnishment.
- District court jurisdiction - If parents cannot agree and administrative routes do not resolve the dispute, you can take the case to the local district court (Byret). The court that hears a case will be the court with territorial jurisdiction covering Hedensted.
- Enforcement tools - If a payer defaults, authorities can use wage attachment, seizure of bank accounts, tax refund intercept, and other collection measures. The state may provide a temporary advance payment to the receiving parent and then seek reimbursement from the payer.
- Underholdspligt duration - The basic obligation runs to the child s 18th birthday, but support can continue beyond that where the child is pursuing education or requires support for other valid reasons.
- Cross-border rules - If one parent is abroad, EU and international rules on maintenance may apply. These rules affect which courts can decide the case and how decisions are enforced in other countries.
Start by trying to reach an agreement with the other parent. If that is not possible, contact Familieretshuset to register your case and get guidance on mediation and administrative decisions. Collect proof of income, documentation about the child s needs, and any previous agreements or orders before you meet with an advisor or lawyer.
There is no single national percentage that applies to every case. Authorities and courts consider the parents incomes, the child s reasonable needs, living arrangements, and any existing child-related benefits. Parents can agree on an amount that suits their situation, or Familieretshuset or the court will assess the appropriate level based on evidence.
Yes. If the payer defaults you can apply to Udbetaling Danmark for enforcement or for a state advance on child support. The state can then pursue the paying parent to recover the advance, including by wage garnishment and other collection measures.
Bring identification, the child s birth certificate, proof of income for both parents (pay slips, tax statements), housing documentation showing the child s residence, any previous agreements or court orders, and receipts or records of child-related expenses if relevant.
Yes - if there is a significant and permanent change in circumstances, such as a large change in income, job loss, or a major change in the child s needs, you can request a modification through Familieretshuset or the court. You should be able to show evidence of the changed circumstances.
Support generally continues until the child turns 18. In many situations, support continues beyond 18 when the child is in education or training, or otherwise dependent. Each case is assessed on its own facts.
Paternity can be established through voluntary acknowledgement or by a DNA test arranged by Familieretshuset or the court. Once paternity is legally established, the obligation to pay child support follows.
Legal aid - fri proces - may be available for court cases depending on your income and assets and the likely outcome of the case. There are also free advice services, such as advokatvagten and municipal legal clinics, where you can get preliminary guidance. Ask a lawyer or the municipality about eligibility rules.
Timelines vary. An agreed-upon arrangement can be implemented in weeks, while contested administrative cases or court proceedings can take several months. Enforcement actions may also take time depending on the payer s financial circumstances and whether appeals are lodged.
Cross-border child support claims are more complex but are possible to pursue. EU regulations and international conventions may determine which authority handles the claim and how enforcement works. You should seek advice from a lawyer familiar with international maintenance law as early as possible.
Helpful organizations and bodies you can contact for guidance and assistance include:
- Familieretshuset - for administrative family-law matters, mediation, and paternity questions.
- Udbetaling Danmark - for child support administration, state advance on child support, and enforcement options.
- Hedensted Kommune - the local municipal social services can provide advice and practical support when children s welfare is at stake.
- The local district court - for information about starting a legal case in the court that serves Hedensted.
- Danish Bar and Law Society - for finding a qualified family law attorney in your area.
- Legal aid services and advokatvagten - for initial free legal advice at municipal clinics or courthouse advice sessions.
- National child welfare and family support charities - for non-legal support, counselling, and guidance on the child s best interests.
If you need legal assistance in Hedensted, follow these practical steps:
- Gather documents - collect identity papers, the child s birth certificate, income documentation, housing proof, and any prior agreements or court decisions.
- Try to agree - if safe and realistic, negotiate a written agreement with the other parent. A mediated agreement through Familieretshuset can be quicker and less costly than court.
- Contact Familieretshuset and Udbetaling Danmark - get official information about registration, calculation, payment options, and enforcement tools.
- Seek legal advice - book an initial consultation with a family law attorney to review your situation, learn your rights, and plan next steps. Ask about fees, likely outcomes, and the possibility of legal aid.
- Consider mediation - mediation can resolve many disputes faster and preserve co-parenting relationships.
- File an application if needed - if agreement or administrative routes fail, prepare to file with the district court. Your lawyer will advise on the evidence needed and likely timeline.
- Keep records - track payments, missed payments, and child-related expenses. Detailed records strengthen enforcement and modification requests.
Getting early, informed advice will save time and increase the chance of a fair outcome for you and your child. If you are unsure where to start, a short meeting with a family-law lawyer or a visit to Familieretshuset in your area is a practical first step.
