What does Unterhalt mean?
Unterhalt (maintenance) is money someone must pay towards another person's living costs, for example a parent for their child.
der Unterhalt
Parents must provide for their children. If a child lives with one parent, the other usually pays maintenance in money.
How much depends mainly on income. For children there are tables for this, for example the Düsseldorfer Tabelle.
The Jugendamt can help you set and receive maintenance for your child. If the other parent does not pay, there is often Unterhaltsvorschuss.
Maintenance for a partner can also be owed after a separation or divorce.
Example sentence
Der Kindesvater ist verpflichtet, monatlich Unterhalt für das Kind zu zahlen.
The child's father is obliged to pay Unterhalt for the child every month.
What you can do
Keep proof of maintenance paid or missing. Offices often ask for it, for example the Jobcenter.
Related words
- Unterhaltsvorschuss Unterhaltsvorschuss (child maintenance advance) is money for children of single parents if the other parent pays little or no maintenance.
- Jugendamt The Jugendamt (youth welfare office) is your city's or district's office for children, young people and families.
- Kindergeld Kindergeld (child benefit) is money for parents that the Familienkasse pays every month for each child.
- Nachweis A Nachweis is a document that proves something, for example your income, your rent or your address.