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Free Guide to Hiring a Family Lawyer
Child support in Wohlen follows Swiss family law as applied in the canton of Aargau. The law makes both parents financially responsible for their children. If parents live apart, the parent who does not have primary custody usually pays periodic child maintenance to the parent who looks after the child. Amounts are set to cover the child's basic needs - housing, food, education, health care and reasonable extras - and to allow the child to maintain a standard of living close to what they would have had if the family remained together. If parents cannot agree, local family courts in the canton decide and issue enforceable maintenance orders.
Child support cases can be emotionally charged and legally complex. You may need a lawyer when any of the following apply:
- You and the other parent disagree about who must pay or how much payment should be.
- Income is difficult to verify - for example if one parent is self-employed, receives irregular income, or uses offshore accounts.
- Paternity has not been established and you need to confirm legal parentage before claiming support.
- The paying parent refuses to pay or makes irregular or incomplete payments, requiring enforcement measures.
- You need to change an existing order because of a significant change in circumstances - for example job loss, illness, major increase in a childs costs, or a significant change in custody.
- Cross-border issues arise - for example the paying parent lives outside Switzerland, or assets are abroad, which raises international enforcement questions.
- You want to include special or extraordinary costs in the order - for example medical expenses, therapies, school fees, or study-support costs.
Lawyers provide legal advice, prepare filings, represent you in court, help negotiate agreements or mediation, and advise on enforcement and international recovery.
Key legal points that affect child support in Wohlen include:
- Federal framework - Child support obligations are governed by the Swiss Civil Code and related family law provisions. The code sets out parental responsibility and maintenance duties for children.
- Calculation principles - Courts and authorities assess the child's needs and each parent's ability to pay. Judges use established guidelines, case law and cantonal practice to set amounts. Factors include net income, reasonable living costs for both the parent and the child, custody arrangements, and extraordinary needs.
- Duration - Support typically continues until the child becomes financially independent. This often means until the end of vocational training or university studies, even after age 18, if the child is still dependent and the education is reasonable.
- Enforcement - If the payer refuses to pay, recipients can enforce maintenance orders through the cantonal debt enforcement procedures. Wage garnishment and seizure of assets are common enforcement tools under the federal Debt Enforcement and Bankruptcy Act.
- Cantonal and municipal assistance - Municipalities or cantonal offices can offer a "beistandschaft" or support service to help establish paternity, secure maintenance orders and assist with enforcement. The exact administrative setup is run at the cantonal or communal level in Aargau.
- International cases - Switzerland participates in international agreements that help with cross-border recovery of child support. The courts and central authorities can use international cooperation tools when a parent lives abroad.
Both biological parents are legally responsible for supporting their child. If parents do not live together, the parent who does not routinely care for the child usually pays a regular maintenance contribution to the custodial parent. The amount depends on the child's needs and the parents financial capacity.
There is no single formula that applies in every case. Courts consider the childs reasonable needs, the custodial parent’s expenses, the paying parent’s net income, tax burdens, and any special costs like schooling or medical care. Judges often use cantonal guidelines and case law to reach a fair amount.
Support generally continues until the child is financially independent. For many children this is after completion of vocational training or higher education. A court will consider whether further education is reasonable and whether the child contributes to their own upkeep.
If a parent refuses to pay, you can enforce an existing order via cantonal debt enforcement procedures. This can lead to wage garnishment, seizure of bank accounts or other enforcement measures. If you do not yet have an order, you can apply to the family court or seek help from the municipal support service to obtain one.
Yes. If there is a significant change in circumstances - for example major income loss, long-term illness, or a change in the childs needs or custody - either parent can request a modification. The court will review the new circumstances and decide whether an adjustment is justified.
Paternity must be legally established before the court orders maintenance from the father. This can be done voluntarily by acknowledgement, or through a court order confirmed by a paternity test. Municipal support services can help initiate paternity proceedings if needed.
Self-employed income is examined carefully. Courts look at declared net income, but may also consider evidence of actual living standards, undistributed profits, and business expenses. Because income can be irregular, parties often need detailed financial records and a lawyer experienced in these cases.
International recovery is possible. Switzerland participates in international agreements and has procedures to pursue maintenance across borders. The enforcement route depends on the country where the payer lives, whether that country is a party to relevant conventions, and the specifics of the case. International cases can be more complex and usually require specialist legal advice.
Yes. You can ask the court for provisional maintenance measures while the main proceedings continue. Courts regularly grant interim orders to ensure the child's needs are met during litigation.
Yes. Cantonal legal aid may be available if you meet the means test in Aargau. Municipal services or the cantonal support office may also offer assistance, and some non-profit organizations provide guidance. A lawyer can advise on the available options and help apply for legal aid if you qualify.
Useful local and national resources for child support matters in Wohlen include:
- The cantonal family and social services in Aargau - for guidance, administrative support and information about available support measures.
- The local municipality office in Wohlen - many municipalities offer a beistandschaft or social services that can assist with establishing paternity, obtaining maintenance orders and initial enforcement steps.
- The cantonal justice or district court that handles family law matters - for filing formal claims and court proceedings.
- Cantonal legal aid offices - for information about financial support to cover legal costs if you cannot afford a lawyer.
- National and regional family law associations and the Swiss Bar Association - for directories to find qualified family law lawyers in Aargau.
- Non-governmental organizations that support families and children - for counseling and practical assistance with social and financial matters.
If you need legal assistance with child support in Wohlen, consider the following practical steps:
- Gather documents - birth certificates, proof of paternity if available, income statements, tax returns, rental or mortgage costs, child-related invoices and receipts, and any existing agreements or court orders.
- Contact your municipal social services or cantonal support office - they can explain local procedures, offer initial help and sometimes act on your behalf to secure maintenance.
- Seek an initial consultation with a family lawyer experienced in child support and family law in Aargau - many lawyers offer a first meeting to explain options and likely outcomes.
- Ask about mediation - if both parents are willing, mediation can be a faster and less adversarial way to reach an agreement on support and related issues like custody and visitation.
- If needed, apply for interim measures - your lawyer or the cantonal office can help request provisional support while the full case is decided.
- Keep detailed records of payments and expenses - documentation helps both in negotiations and if you need to enforce an order later.
- If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask about legal aid and local nonprofit resources that assist parents and children.
Taking these steps will help you protect the childs financial interests and move toward a clear, enforceable solution that reflects the needs of your family.
