How to deal with malicious defaulters of alimony? Discussed in the talk show “Alone with Borovik”

Polina Konoga, a political columnist of SB. Belarus Today, and political scientist Vadim Borovik, on the air of the program “Alone with Borovik” on SBTV, discussed the problem of evading the payment of alimony for the maintenance of their children and measures to combat defaulters, writes sb.by.

Vadim Borovik agreed that, unfortunately, such a problem exists.

- Belarus has strict legislation: serious liability is provided for evasion of payment of alimony, including criminal liability, restrictions on traveling abroad, a ban on driving a vehicle are applied. Nevertheless, some fathers continue to understate official incomes and pay symbolic amounts, he said. We need to understand that financial support is a responsibility to the child, at least until his or her adulthood, so that he or she grows up healthy and receives an education.

Vadim Borovik called attempts to minimize payments or completely withdraw from upbringing devastating for both parties: a child growing up without a father experiences a personal tragedy, and for a man, the loss of contact with a son or daughter over time also becomes an irreparable loss:

- If a man abstracts or minimizes any help, it is already an unhealthy approach.

Polina Konoga drew attention to the fact that unscrupulous fathers who paid formal pennies in old age often sue the grown children with the requirement to pay alimony for their maintenance. In this regard, she raised the possibility of legislative initiatives to increase accountability.

- For example, in Russia there is experience in establishing a fixed lower bar – binding the minimum amount of alimony to the budget of the average subsistence minimum per child. No matter how much you earn, you have to pay. You can also go along this path, Vadim Borovik noted.

Regardless of the financial status or lifestyle of an adult, the interests of a minor should remain an absolute priority

- A father who does not pay child support, knowing that the children are deprived of a normal standard of living, is a criminal. You can’t make a child hostage to the situation, you need to act with justice.