Alimony for parents: who, how much, and under what conditions should pay it

      August 8, 2026 08:00 Society The Family Code of the Russian Federation not only grants children the right to receive alimony from their parents but also establishes the obligation of able-bodied adult children to support their incapacitated and needy parents. This aspect of family relations is regulated by Article 87 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation, which defines the conditions for the recovery of alimony, said lawyer Irina Polyanskaya in an interview with 360.ru.

      Conditions for alimony recovery

      In order for the court to obligate adult children to pay alimony to their parents, four main conditions must be met:

      - The child must be of legal age and able-bodied. The child must reach 18 years of age and be able-bodied.

      - The parent must be incapacitated. The parent must be recognized as incapacitated, which may be related to reaching retirement age or having a disability.

      - The parent must be in need. The parent's income does not cover their basic living needs, including food, medicine, housing payments, utilities, etc.

      - There must be no evasion of upbringing. The parent must not have evaded their responsibilities for raising children in the past.

      Irina Polyanskaya noted that proving the parent's need is the most challenging aspect. The court assesses not only the amount of the pension but also all additional income, state benefits, and compensations that the parent may receive.

      Determining alimony

      Alimony for the support of parents is set in a fixed monetary amount, rather than a percentage of income, as is the case with alimony for minor children. The court determines the specific amount that the child must pay monthly.

      The main guideline for the court in determining the parent's need is the regional subsistence minimum for pensioners.

      Judicial practice

      Lawyer Irina shares her experience: "In my practice, there has never been a case where large alimony was collected from children that at least matched the subsistence minimum. It is usually up to five thousand rubles a month with proven need." The court carefully weighs the interests of both parties, considering the child's financial situation, the presence of dependents, loans, and other obligations.

      "In my practice, the parents who usually approach the court are not the most deserving. Children often prove that parents did not participate in their lives or behaved dishonestly. And in such circumstances, the courts assign very small amounts," the expert explained.

      If there are multiple children, the legislation gives the court the right to determine which child will support the incapacitated parent. The lawyer explained that the court is obliged to distribute the obligations among all children. If some children help voluntarily, they are not subject to the corresponding share, but their part is collected from the other children. Thus, the voluntary assistance of one child does not exempt the others from their obligations.

      Exemption from alimony payments

      The Family Code provides for two cases when adult children may be exempted from the obligation to support their parents:

      - If the court establishes that the parents evaded their responsibilities for raising the children.

      - If the parents have been deprived of parental rights.

      Children can provide the court with various evidence, including court decisions on the recovery of alimony, rulings from bailiffs on debts, certificates from educational institutions and medical organizations, as well as witness testimonies from relatives and neighbors.

      Advantages of a voluntary agreement

      A voluntary agreement between parents and children regarding the amount and procedure for alimony payments at a notary has several advantages over court proceedings. Firstly, it allows avoiding a lengthy and costly litigation process. Secondly, the parties can independently determine the amount and conditions of payment, which allows taking into account all the nuances of the specific situation.

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