Child and Spousal Support in Cyprus – Claiming and Enforcing Maintenance While Living Abroad
Introduction
Whether you are a parent or former spouse living in the U.S., if you are owed or owe financial support related to family law in Cyprus, there are structured legal procedures to initiate, claim, enforce, or modify those obligations — even from abroad.
Cyprus law provides clear mechanisms for:
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Filing child support or alimony claims
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Enforcing foreign or local court orders
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Coordinating with U.S. and international authorities
⚖️ Legal Framework
Maintenance rights in Cyprus are governed by:
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Parental Relations Law (Law 216/1990)
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Maintenance Obligation Regulation Law (Law 232/1991)
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Family Courts Law (Law 23/1990)
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Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (2007)
Cyprus has implemented the Hague Convention and enforces support judgments bilaterally with the U.S. and EU countries.
Who Can Claim Maintenance?
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A parent with custody may claim child support
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A former spouse may claim spousal maintenance, especially in cases of unemployment, disability, or caring for young children
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Even adult children may be eligible (e.g., students, dependents with disabilities)
Filing a Claim in Cyprus
Support claims can be filed at the Family Court of the district where:
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The child or dependent resides, or
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The claim originates (e.g., under a foreign judgment or registered divorce)
The fact that the respondent lives abroad (e.g., USA) does not prevent the case from proceeding.
How Is the Maintenance Amount Calculated?
The court considers:
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The child’s or spouse’s living needs (e.g., housing, food, clothing, education)
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The income and assets of the obligated party
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The earning capacity of both parties
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Healthcare expenses, educational costs, or special needs
Example:
A non-custodial parent living in the U.S. earning $60,000/year may be ordered to pay monthly support of €300–€500 depending on circumstances.
Can the Amount Be Modified?
Yes. Either party can request adjustment of maintenance due to:
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Change in employment or income
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New family or dependents
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Major life events (e.g., relocation, illness)
Such applications must be filed before the Family Court with supporting evidence.
International Enforcement – From Cyprus to the U.S. (and vice versa)
Cyprus and the United States both participate in the 2007 Hague Convention. That means:
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A support order issued in Cyprus can be enforced in the U.S. through state child support enforcement agencies
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Likewise, a U.S. court order for support can be recognized and enforced in Cyprus
Requirements include:
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A certified copy of the foreign judgment
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Apostille or authentication
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Translation (if necessary)
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A petition for registration and recognition before a Cyprus Family Court
Once registered, enforcement measures include wage garnishment, bank seizure, or travel bans (in Cyprus).
Required Documents
To file or enforce maintenance from abroad, you typically need:
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Birth certificate of child
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Marriage certificate and divorce decree (if applicable)
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Proof of income or financial need
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Existing court order or mutual agreement
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Power of Attorney (if filing remotely through legal counsel)
How E. CHATZIDIMITRIOU LLC Can Help
We provide full legal services for maintenance cases, including:
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Filing or defending child/spousal support claims
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Representing clients abroad with Power of Attorney
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Registering and enforcing foreign judgments in Cyprus
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Liaising with U.S. family law offices for cross-border cases
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Monitoring compliance and following up with payment enforcement
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Providing legal opinions or certifications for IRS or USCIS matters, when needed
All services are handled remotely — no travel to Cyprus required.
Contact Us
www.hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com
Email: info@hatzidimitriouvirtuallaw.com
U.S. Phone: +13474034789
Whether you are owed child support from Cyprus, or need to comply with a spousal support order — we handle every legal step for you.