This article includes information about the child support policies of several countries.
Child support by country
Australia
In Australia, the Child Support Agency calculates child support based on the income of each parent, a base amount is excluded, and the number of nights the child(ren) stays overnight with each parent. Parents can seek a review within 28 days of a change where income, assets or other factors lead to the formula not giving a result reflecting the particulars of a case.
Canada
In Canada, the table amount is based on the gross annual income of the payor parent and the number of children they have to support. Gross annual income is the total income a person earns in the year before subtracting taxes and other deductions. It is usually the amount on line 150 on your tax return. Punishments for not complying include, A court can order you to serve time in jail if you don’t not pay.
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, child supported is usually decided as part of child custody proceedings. The court may award child support as far as three years back before the case was started. The amount of child support depends on the particular custody arrangement, parents’ net income and whether they have other support obligations. A failure to pay child support in line with final judgement is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison.
Israel
A little-known law in Israel allows for divorced Israeli nationals and foreign citizens to be detained in the country via a court-issued stay of exit order until they pay the full child support owed for their children until age 18 in advance. They can be jailed for up to 21 days for each missed monthly payment, and they are required to pay up to 100% or more of their income to settle the debt.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, the Child Support division of Inland Revenue manages the application for, collection and redistribution of child support. Liable parents are assessed using a formula assessment scheme that determines payment liability based on the liable person's income and family circumstances. Departures from the formula are permitted under special circumstances, such as hardship, financial assets, special needs or through parental agreements. Payments are compulsory, with a minimum payment required, irrespective of ability to pay, though prisoners and long term hospital patients can apply for exemptions. Application for child support can be made by any person responsible for caring for a child but is only required if a parent receives welfare payments for themselves and their children. Children qualify for child support while they are aged under 18 years and are dependent on a caregiver.
Since July 2000, New Zealand and Australia have had a reciprocal agreement on child support. If the non-custodian parent lives in Australia, then Australia's Child Support Agency can collect child support and pursue debt collection on behalf of New Zealand's Inland Revenue Child Support, and vice versa.
Norway
Norway has a long history in its commitment to protecting children and was the first country to appoint a children's ombudsman in 1981, inspiring similar practices globally. The child protection service, Barnevernet, primarily focuses on working with families to resolve issues and keep children with their parents. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of children and young people taken into emergency care, rising by half between 2008 and 2013.
South Africa
Under South African law, both parents are obligated to provide financial maintenance for their children, regardless of marital status. The amount of maintenance is determined based on each parent's income and must be negotiated in accordance with the Maintenance Act 99 of 1998 and the Children's Act, 2005. Failure to meet these obligations is a criminal offense. In the event of a divorce, interim maintenance can be obtained to support the child until the divorce is finalized. Unmarried fathers have the right to maintenance responsibilities but may face challenges in accessing their children.
Sweden
In Sweden, a parent not living with their child should pay "underhållsbidrag", since parents are obliged to support for their children. The amount should be agreed on by the parents, with consideration taken for the economic need of the child and the economic situation of both parents. This may be in the form of a contract or simply an agreement. With joint custody where the child lives with each parents roughly half of the time no child support needs to be paid. The amount agreed on is adjusted for inflation each year (though it has been raised by 0% some years).