Compulsory financial assistance for family members

Who is obliged to financially support their needy relatives?

Older and younger members of the immediate family who are in financial difficulty may be eligible for compulsory financial assistance. In other words, it applies for parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren. However, siblings, aunts and uncles are excluded.

Only people with above-average financial circumstances who can reasonably be expected to support the needy are required to provide compulsory financial assistance for family members.

Above-average income and wealth is defined as follows:

An allowance is deducted from the assets and the remainder is calculated as income on the basis of the person’s life expectancy. This means the contributor is expected to liquidate their assets in order to provide assistance. However, if their only asset is a property which is also their place of residence, they are not expected to sell it.

Note on inheritance advances and donations: compulsory assistance may also be required in the case of lower incomes and financial circumstances if the person in need has previously made donations to the person whose eligibility to provide compulsory assistance is being assessed.