Explanations have been made regarding how child support payments are determined in Russia.
Court Steps In If There Is No Agreement
Oksana Starojiltseva, a lawyer and Chair of the Commission for the Protection of Social and Economic Rights of the Russian Lawyers Association, stated that the court intervenes when there is no agreement between parents.
Starojiltseva noted that, according to the Russian Family Code, the amount and method of alimony payment can be determined either by a notarized agreement or by a court decision.
Rates Based on Number of Children
The lawyer explained that if there is no agreement between parents, alimony is collected monthly by court order. Accordingly, for one child, a parent can be ordered to pay a quarter of their income; for two children, one third; and for three or more children, half.
Fixed Monetary Amount and New Regulations
It was noted that if the parent obligated to pay alimony has irregular income, a salary in kind or foreign currency, or no income at all, the court can set the alimony as a fixed monetary amount.
Starojiltseva said that starting March 1, 2026, the method for including alimony in the calculation for the unified social payment has changed, affecting the assessment of family income. If a person pays alimony voluntarily, without a court order, the regional average salary from the previous year will now be taken into account. Previously, the alimony amount was tied to the minimum wage.