Under Thai law, both parents have a legal obligation to provide financial support for their children until they reach the age of majority. This can be done through a written agreement or court order. Child support is meant to cover living expenses such as food, shelter, clothing and medicines.
The first six years of a child’s life are critical and investment in them yields the highest long-term returns. However, many foreign fathers flee back to their home countries to avoid child support obligations.
Child support is a legal obligation
Parents are legally obligated to provide financial support for their children until they reach legal age. This can be settled through a mutual agreement or court order. This is important because it ensures that every child has enough money to live a happy life and contribute to Thailand’s economic development.
In Thailand, the courts have the power to determine child support payments. The amount must be sufficient to cover the child’s expenses, including food, shelter, and medicine. The money must be used for the child’s benefit and should not be spent on the parent’s personal needs. Parents can also make arrangements for child support in their divorce agreements. However, they must submit the agreement to a district office for approval.
It is important to note that child support laws in Thailand can be difficult for foreigners, especially if the non-custodial parent flees back to their home country to avoid paying child support. The aggrieved spouse has very limited options in this situation. As a result, it is advisable for couples who want to get a divorce to seek legal advice before they begin the process. This will help them avoid misunderstandings and confusion. It will also save them a lot of time and effort. A local Thai lawyer will be able to guide you on how to handle your case.
It is a financial obligation
According to Thai family law, both parents are obliged to provide financial support for their children until they reach legal age. This obligation can be decided in a written agreement or by court order. This money should cover the child’s expenses such as food, shelter, clothes, medicines and education. It is also important to consider the child’s needs as they may change over time.
UNICEF believes that investing in children during their first six years is the most crucial and yields the highest long term returns. To this end, the organisation launched a Child Support Grant in Thailand in 2012 which has been modelled on similar schemes implemented in South Africa and other middle income countries. The impact assessment conducted in 2012 has shown that children benefiting from the scheme perform better academically and are less likely to be ill or suffer from stunting.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for non-custodial parents of foreign nationality to flee back to their home country to avoid paying child support in Thailand. This can leave the child deprived of basic welfare. In such cases, the aggrieved parent may have very limited options. This is why it is vital that you understand your responsibilities as a father and seek advice from qualified family law lawyers.
It is a legal issue
The law states that parents have the right and duty to care for their children and provide financial support to them until they reach legal age. This can be settled by mutual agreement or through a court order. The amount of child support should cover the cost of living for the child, including food and shelter, clothing, medicines, and education. It should not be used for the custodial parent’s personal benefits.
Child support is a legal issue in Thailand because it is an obligation under family law. It can be based on the income of both parties and other factors such as expenses and assets. The judge in a contested divorce will take all these into consideration when deciding child support.
The main concern of the court is to make sure that the child is getting what they deserve, especially during their formative years. This is because the first six years of a child’s life are the most crucial period in terms of their cognitive and physical development. As such, investing in these years yields the highest long-term returns, both for the child and for society. This is why child support is a vital part of the Thai family system. Unmarried biological fathers who have a child in Thailand should legally legitimize the child through documents filed at the district office. Otherwise, they could face a lawsuit from the mother or their own home country for failing to pay child support.