The Alimony Fund Law Finally Takes Effect: Will the State Save Children from Irresponsible Parents?
The long-awaited Alimony Fund Law finally takes effect today in Serbia, with Jelena Žarić Kovačević from the Ministry of Family Care and Demography promising that the fund will be operational within two months. Is this the end of the agony for thousands of children whose parents fail to pay alimony, or just another empty promise?
What is the Alimony Fund and who does it help? The fund is designed to assist children up to 26 years old who are regularly attending school and whose parents do not fulfill their alimony obligations. The fund activates payments after two months of non-payment, and every eligible child has the right to support. Sounds like a lifeline, right?
How will the fund operate? The process is automated – citizens do not need to initiate any requests themselves. The enforcement creditor, i.e., the person who has a legally binding court decision on alimony, will be notified and called for a statement. If the parent does not pay, the state immediately pays alimony from the fund, and the debt is collected from the irresponsible parent with interest. If the parent has no assets or income, criminal liability may be pursued.
How much will it cost the state? The budget for the fund’s operation is currently set at 500 million dinars, and the amount needed depends on the number of beneficiaries. The state is ready to increase funds if necessary, but the question remains how long this will last and whether debts will grow to unsustainable levels.
Controversies and concerns The public is concerned about the provision that debt to the state may transfer to the child after the parent’s death. However, Žarić Kovačević emphasizes that the state will never put a child in such a position and that the law will be interpreted so that the child cannot be an enforcement debtor.
Is this the end of irresponsible parents? The law introduces clear rules and mechanisms for alimony collection, but it remains to be seen how effectively it will work in practice. Will enforcement officers really check assets and income monthly, and will criminal charges be filed? Time will tell.
Conclusion The Alimony Fund Law is a big step forward in protecting children’s rights and fighting irresponsible parents. But like any law, its strength depends on enforcement and oversight. The state is ready to pay, but will irresponsible parents really be punished? Or will this be another story of promises without real effect?
If you have a story about alimony or know someone struggling with this issue, share it in the comments – maybe together we can expose the system and make it work for children, not against them. Who knows, this might be the beginning of the end for those who think alimony is an option, not an obligation.
Slug: alimony-fund-law-finally-takes-effect
