Demands for support payments from an estranged father: How should the children respond?
Recently, on YTN Radio’s "Consultation with Attorney Jo In-seop," the story of individual A, who was demanded support payments by a father who abandoned the family, was shared.
Individual A grew up in an ordinary middle-class family, with a father working as a company employee and a mother as a homemaker, all living together as a family of four.
However, while individual A was serving in the military, the father ran away, claiming he had found someone he loved. As a result, the mother continued to make a living by working in a restaurant, and the younger sibling had to give up college to find a job.
Individual A passed the civil service exam and has been working in public service for 10 years. During this time, the mother was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away.
After the funeral, the father contacted A, demanding living expenses. He threatened that A and the younger sibling should send him 1 million won per month as support, knowing where they worked.
In response, attorney Lim Kyung-mi of Shinsegye Law Firm explained that there is a primary obligation of support in parent-child relationships.
However, she added that since the court determines support payments based on factors such as the wastage of the parent's assets and the desire to work, it is not necessary to pay the full amount requested unconditionally.
In fact, in similar cases, the court has ruled that payments of only 300,000 won per month were appropriate instead of 1 million won.
Additionally, if individual A is left to support the father alone, they can seek reimbursement from the younger sibling. It is advisable to send a certified demand for repayment of expenses to other obligated supporters in advance.
Attorney Lim emphasized that if individual A faces financial difficulties, they can apply to the court for a change in support payments, and the right to claim support payments could also be subject to a statute of limitations.
Image source: Reference photo for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank
