Securing alimony for a spouse

Married couples can, either during the marriage or when divorcing, agree that one spouse pays the other one alimony. The agreement is drawn up by a child welfare officer. Before confirming the agreement, social services will investigate how much alimony the spouse needs, whether the other spouse can pay it and other factors influencing the matter, after which they will assess how reasonable the agreement is. The procedure is close to the discretion used when securing child support. Alimony agreements between spouses are nowadays rare, and only few are confirmed. The agreement is no longer mandatory in the case of the other spouse needing long-term institutional care, because the alimony obligation between spouses is taken into account when determining the client fee, regardless of whether the alimony agreement has been confirmed. The confirmation of the agreement holds special significance for things such as the pension right of the ex-spouse. The ex-spouse of a deceased person is entitled to a widow's pension, if the deceased was, at time of their death and on the basis of a legally valid decision or ruling made by a court or an agreement confirmed by a social welfare board, obligated to pay alimony to their ex-spouse. The client relationships can consist of one-time meetings or several meetings. Principally, spouses see the child welfare officer together.

Conditions for receiving the Service

Securing the spouse's alimony at the child welfare officer's office is intended for married or divorcing couples who want to agree on one of the spouses paying the other one alimony. Securing the alimony is governed by Sections 46-50 of the Marriage Act.

The service is free of charge.