Since the beginning of the war, thousands of Ukrainian women and their children have found themselves in Poland, seeking shelter and safety. However, the issue of financial security remains important for many families, especially when one parent lives alone. One of the most relevant aspects is receiving child support. The Polish legal system offers clear mechanisms for collecting alimony, which Ukrainian refugees can also use, thus guaranteeing the financial support of their children.
Alimony is financial assistance that one of the parents must pay for the maintenance of the child. In most cases, this assistance is provided by the parent who does not live with the child. It is important to note that alimony does not depend on the marital status of the parents – whether it is marriage, divorce or other forms of cohabitation. This obligation applies to everyone, regardless of the official status of the relationship.
Ukrainian women residing in Poland have the full right to apply for alimony through the Polish court system, even if the child’s father lives in Ukraine. This makes it possible to guarantee stable financial support for children, which is important for their well-being. He writes about it inPoland portal.
How to start the procedure for receiving alimony
The procedure for obtaining alimony in Poland begins with the submission of an application to the court. First of all, a Ukrainian woman must have all the necessary documents to prove paternity and child support costs. Such documents include:
- Child’s birth certificate confirming paternity.
- Receipts for expenses related to the maintenance of the child (for example, education, medical services, food, etc.).
If the father lives in Poland, the lawsuit is filed at his place of residence. If the father is in Ukraine, there is an opportunity to apply to the Polish court for international recovery of alimony. This is done on the basis of agreements between Ukraine and Poland on mutual legal assistance.
How the amount of alimony is determined
The court, considering the case, evaluates the financial capabilities of both parents and the needs of the child. It is important to note that there is no fixed amount of alimony in Poland. Each case is considered individually, taking into account the father’s income, his financial capabilities and the specific needs of the child.
The mechanism of international collection of alimony
If the child’s father lives in Ukraine, there is a possibility of international collection of alimony. Poland and Ukraine have agreements that allow the recognition of court decisions on the collection of alimony between the countries. After the decision of the Polish court, the Ukrainian woman can apply to the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the implementation of this decision on the territory of Ukraine.
Payment control and enforcement
The Polish legal system provides control over the execution of court decisions regarding alimony. If the father refuses or is unable to pay alimony regularly, the child’s mother can apply to the enforcement service (Komornik). The enforcement service has the right to forcibly collect funds from the debtor’s income or property.
Alimony fund as additional support
If the father refuses to pay alimony or is financially unable to do so, Poland offers additional support through the Alimentary Fund (Fundusz Alimentacyjny). This fund provides assistance to those families who do not receive alimony, provided that the income per family member does not exceed PLN 900.
Legal support for Ukrainian women
To receive alimony, Ukrainian women can contact specialized organizations and lawyers who provide free legal assistance to migrants in Poland. This can greatly facilitate the process of filing documents and protecting the interests of the mother and child in court. If necessary, you can also use the services of lawyers for more effective representation in court cases.
Receiving alimony for Ukrainian women who ended up in Poland is a real mechanism of support and financial stability. Regardless of the place of residence of the child’s father, the Polish legal system ensures the protection of the child’s rights to proper maintenance. It is important that women know about their rights and timely apply to judicial authorities to resolve issues related to receiving alimony, which will ensure better conditions for their children in new life circumstances.
