The lawyer explained new ways to deal with child support evaders
In Russia, parents who are formally unemployed but actually earn income may be required to pay alimony through alternative recovery mechanisms. Mikael Ghazaryan, a lawyer at the Sterligov and Partners Bar Association, Candidate of Law, told Izvestia on May 1.
Recovery mechanisms
One of the main problems remains the work of parents without official employment. Formally, such payers are considered unemployed, but their actual standard of living may be high. In such cases, lawyers advise changing the method of collecting payments through the court.
Article 83 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation allows you to establish alimony in a fixed amount of money. This is effective when the parent's income is unstable or intentionally underestimated. When making a decision, the court evaluates the real financial capabilities of a person and the level of provision for a child.
Search for hidden assets
In order to identify the real earnings, the recoverer may apply to the court to request confidential information. The lawyer recommends requesting information about the debtor's bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, and other assets. It is impossible to obtain such information on your own, but the law allows you to do this through a judicial request.
After the court's decision, the key role passes to the bailiffs. They have the right to seize property, withdraw funds from accounts and restrict travel abroad.
"When considering such cases, the court evaluates not only the formal documents, but also the real level of provision for the child, as well as the actual capabilities of the parent," Ghazaryan explained.
Register of debtors
Since January 2026, information about defaulters has become available through the public services portal based on a special registry. This system, launched in May 2025, serves as an instrument of public pressure. The presence of debtors on the list can negatively affect business reputation and relations with employers.
Administrative and criminal liability is provided for evading obligations. Failure to pay for more than two months will result in mandatory work, arrest, or a fine. In case of systematic violations, the perpetrator may face imprisonment for up to one year under Article 157 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
"The sooner the claimant begins to use the mechanisms provided for by law, the higher the chances of achieving stable payments for the maintenance of the child," the expert concluded.
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