Under Thai family law, parents are legally obligated to provide financial support for their children until they reach legal age. This can be settled by mutual agreement or court order and should cover basic expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, medicines and education costs.
When dealing with Child Support in Thailand issues it is important to consult a Family Lawyer in Thailand. This will ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair settlement.
How is child support determined?
In Thailand, parents are obligated to provide for their children, including ensuring that they receive proper education and are taken care of in case of illness. This is known as child support. Parents can mutually agree on the amount of child support and have it written into their divorce agreement in Thailand, which will then be legally enforceable once submitted to the district office.
However, if the child was born out of wedlock then the biological father is not obligated for maintenance until he acknowledges his paternity by going through the process of child legitimation in Thailand. This is an issue that can be resolved either by a mutual agreement or through court intervention. Always consult a family lawyer in Thailand for assistance with this.
What are the responsibilities of the parents?
Under Thai law, both parents are legally bound to financially support their children until the child reaches age 20 or completes his or her education, whichever occurs first. This obligation can be settled through mutual agreement or by court order and should cover expenses like food, shelter, medicine and education. The payments should not be used for either parent’s own benefit.
Single mothers are entitled to demand support from the father of their child. However, unmarried biological fathers do not have custodial rights in Thailand unless they legitimize their relationship with the mother through a district office.
Unfortunately, many foreign fathers flee back to their home countries to avoid their obligations in Thailand and leave their children without the support they deserve. This is an urgent matter that must be addressed in a timely manner.
How is child support calculated?
Under Thai law, both parents have a legal obligation to support their children until they reach the age of majority. This can be determined either by mutual agreement or through court order. Child support is meant to help cover the financial responsibilities of raising the child including food, shelter, clothing, medicines and education costs. This money should not be used for the custodial parent’s personal benefit.
Foreigners can mutually agree on the amount and mode of payment and include it in their divorce agreement which should be certified and registered. If the noncustodial parent fails to pay, it is possible for the aggrieved spouse to file a complaint in court for enforcement. The court will take into account the relative incomes and expenses of both parties to decide on the amount.
How is child support enforced?
Under Thai family law parents are obligated to provide financial support for their children until they reach legal age. This can be settled by mutual agreement or in a court order and should cover expenses such as food, shelter, clothing, medicines and education.
It is possible for expats to come to an agreement on child support payments together with the mother of the child in a legal document, which will be legally enforceable once registered at a district office. However, the non-custodial parent may try to avoid paying this obligation by fleeing back to his/her home country, and it is therefore important that you seek proper legal advice from experienced lawyers.
If the parents disagree, the judge in a contested divorce case will decide on this matter taking several factors into consideration including relative incomes of the parties and expenses and assets. Unmarried biological fathers can also demand child support from their mothers by filing a lawsuit at the family court in Thailand.
What are the rights of unmarried biological fathers?
Parents are legally obligated to provide for their children. This includes ensuring that their children have food, shelter, medicine and education. Normally this obligation is settled through a mutual agreement or by court order. This money must be used exclusively for the child’s benefit and not for the parent’s personal use.
Unmarried biological fathers in Thailand can legally legitimize their child through documents filed at the district office. However, this process takes time and can be expensive.
The court will consider relative incomes and expenses in deciding a child support schedule. Depending on the circumstances, it is possible to modify the child support amount, especially if one of the parties experiences a change in financial status. Currently, Thailand is not a party to international agreements on the recognition of foreign judgments on Family Law matters including child support.