Legal assistance in alimony disputes

Questioner

My 19-year-old daughter, who lives with her mother, never provides information about her education, etc. I have now found out through her brother that she is not allowed to continue her studies and that she gave up her sport (on which my continued maintenance obligation is partly based) months ago. In order to force me to pay, she called in LBIO, after I had deducted half of her student grant in 2011. LBIO says that only a judge may reduce the amount. The agreement states that this may also be arranged mutually, which is what I did. But because of my daughter's 'forgetfulness', I have been bombarded with letters from LBIO for months. Is going to court the only solution and can I, as a father, expect her not only to enroll in a higher education institution, but also to do her best? Because she also works sometimes and I don't think that can be combined with her studies. I have always said that I want to pay, but only the amount that she is entitled to. What is she actually entitled to? And more importantly, what are my rights?

Lawyer

Hello, Going to court seems indeed the only solution with the facts you mention. If your contribution was based on facts that no longer apply, you can ask the court to reduce the contribution.

Questioner

Thanks for your response. I have written to my daughter once more and asked her to consider a reasonable contribution, because going to court means that the disturbed relationship will become permanent. But I see no other option and I actually hoped that this was there.