Child alimony in Thailand comes to the fore when there is normally a divorce or where there has been child legitimization. Most times child alimony in Thailand is based from these two with child legitimization becoming more common in recent years. For those who do not understand child legitimization, this is where a child is born out of wedlock but application has been made to court to legitimize the child and the farther become to guardian of the child as well.
Divorce
Child alimony is unusually settled between the two parties in an unopposed divorce. This would be part of the divorce agreement. If this is during a litigated divorce then this would become part of the court record as the court will decide who will pay for what and how much. There will also be the issue of custody of the children as well as visitation rights.
Always speak to a divorce lawyer in Thailand about this as the divorce agreement has to go through the Amphurs office as it is part of the divorce documents. See also Thailand child maintenance here.
Child Legitimation
When you decide that the child is yours most likely after a DNA test in Thailand then you will need to consider what the child will cost as well as other incidentals such as school fees and medical aid. Most times there will be an agreement to ensure that all the parties have agreed but most times these agreements in Thailand tend to be verbal. Speak to a divorce lawyer in Thailand about this before you make any agreements as words can always be twisted later during the course of your alimony payments.
How much is child alimony in Thailand?
This is going to depend on what it is that the parties agreed on. During a divorce this is normally decided by looking at what the child or children had grown used to. This would include their schooling as well as their living standards. The courts will look at this as well as how much each of the parties earned while holding onto this standard. The courts will then consider what each party earns at the time of divorce as circumstances might have changed or improved.
When it comes to child legitimation this would be difficult to say as the two parties will have different standards of living. There would have to be some negotiation as to what this amount should be and most times they tend to agree on what each one earns as well as what the living expenses are for the child. With most of these cases the child is most likely being raised by their grandmother in rural Thailand and attends a government school. The standard of living is not very high and the cost of schooling is close to zero.
Most tend to take the alimony in the 10,000THB to 20,000THB per month on average as this tends to be a lower middle class salary in Thailand. Always take proper legal advice from a divorce lawyer in Thailand if you are not certain how this will work and what it will cost. Always take proper legal advice when it comes to child alimony in Thailand.