ALIMONY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD ORIGIN
03.06.2026
In connection with the entry into force from 01.01.2026 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the Republic of Belarus, the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus adopted Resolution No. 7 dated 26.03.2026 "On Judicial Practice in Civil Cases Related to the Establishment of Child Origin and Recovery of Maintenance (Alimony)". The previously effective Resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus dated 20.12.1991 "On the Practice of Application by Courts of the Republic of Belarus of Legislation in Cases of Paternity Establishment and Alimony Recovery for Children" has lost its force.
The new Plenum effectively consolidates the already established court practice in cases related to the recovery of alimony and the establishment of child origin, and is aimed at improving approaches to considering cases in the sphere of marital and family relations and ensuring the protection of the rights of all subjects of marital and family relations.
The Plenum clarifies in detail the rules of jurisdiction, specifies and elaborates on the approaches to statutes of limitations for contesting the record of parents, as well as for the recovery of alimony.
For example, it follows from the Plenum that the statute of limitations for claims for alimony recovery is not actually established, and, subject to a number of conditions, alimony recovery is possible for the three preceding years.
Taking into account the development of the sphere of application of assisted reproductive technologies and the protection of citizens' rights when using them, the Plenum resolution details citizens' rights in case of their application, and the approaches of the Civil Code of Belarus to the origin of children born as a result of the use of such technologies.
Attention has been paid to enhancing the role of out-of-court dispute resolution, including through the conclusion of a mediation agreement.
Taking into account the development of information technologies and the expansion of communication methods using messengers, rules for evidence gathering through them have been defined.
In addition, Plenum Resolution No. 7 established the specifics of considering cases concerning the maintenance of incapacitated adult children, parents, and spouses.
Thus, the amount of alimony for the maintenance of an incapacitated, needy parent is determined by the court in a fixed sum or in an amount corresponding to a certain number of base values, payable monthly, taking into account all of his adult able-bodied children, based on the material and family situation of the parent and each of the children.
The Plenum details issues related to the consideration of civil cases on the release of citizens from alimony debt, and the procedure for establishing paternity and maternity in court. For example, cases where paternity can only be established through court proceedings are regulated.