Title: Upgraded Child Maintenance Rates Set in Düsseldorf Table
Prepare for significant modifications in child maintenance payments starting next year, as separated families across Germany will be affected by the changes to the Düsseldorf table. This table serves as a guideline for all higher regional courts in Germany, leading to revised monthly payments for underage children of separated parents.
From 2023 onwards, parents will be obligated to pay more for the maintenance of their children, with the minimum monthly payments increasing for children up to six years old, from 437 to 480 euros. Children aged six to twelve will now need 551 euros, an increase from the previous 502 euros, while maintenance for children between twelve and eighteen will surge from 588 to 645 euros per month.
Separated parents with adult children in North Rhine-Westphalia should expect an additional increase in minimum monthly payments, rising from 628 to 689 euros. However, students who do not live with either parent or one parent will maintain their existing 930 euros monthly rate in 2023.
The Düsseldorf table plays a vital role in determining and assessing child maintenance in Germany by providing a guide for higher regional courts. Since 1979, this table has been published by the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, with the involvement of the Maintenance Commission of the German Family Court Conference.
Key Insights
- The new maintenance rates are determined by the net income of the paying parent and the child's age, taking into account the parent who provides more childcare time paying less in child support.
- The revised Düsseldorf table aims to ensure a fair distribution of financial responsibilities for children in separated families.
- The current legal framework in Germany may not fully accommodate modern shared parenting arrangements, as the law assumes one parent primarily cares for the children.
References:
[1] "Düsseldorf Table 2025: update on child maintenance rates in Germany." [source].
[4] "Düsseldorf Table 2025 Explanation: Understanding the German Child Support Guidelines." [source].
