What happens to alimony when living together?

Questioner

My boyfriend pays alimony to his ex (both spousal support and child support). What happens to the amount of alimony when we officially start living together?

Lawyer

If your boyfriend pays alimony for his ex-partner and children, he must continue to make these payments even if he moves in with you. According to the law, you are expected to be able to provide for yourself financially. If a child is born from your relationship, there is the possibility of requesting an adjustment because your boyfriend is then also liable for the maintenance of that child. He can even share his housing costs from the moment he starts living together, so in principle he would have more capacity to pay. In short, nothing changes after you start living together.

Questioner

Thank you for your response. Can the alimony also be increased, because his ability to pay would then be greater?

Lawyer

No, or his ex-partner must have very good reasons to request a change in the maintenance payments because such changes have occurred in her situation that she needs more maintenance. In principle, the amount remains as determined during the divorce proceedings. The change in his ability to pay will probably not be such that he would be able to pay more alimony.