Elatusasioissa

Elatusasioissa refers to matters concerning the provision of financial support, commonly relating to child and spousal maintenance, within the legal framework of Finland. The term “elatus” in Finnish law covers monetary assistance that one party is required to provide to another to cover living expenses, education, health care, and other necessary costs. Elatusasioissa arise most frequently in the context of divorce or separation, but they also apply to parent-child support obligations that can be established after the parents have ceased to cohabit.

Under the Swedish and Finnish Family Law (Balkyppens lag 1995) and the Finnish Act on Support for Children and Spouses (1994), parties may submit an elatushakemus (support claim) to the Väylähuone or the National Judicial Institute. The court determines the amount of support (elatusmaksu) based on a variety of factors, including the earning capacity of both parties, the needs of the child, existing debts, and the necessity of redistributing assets. The amount may be fixed, leave the parties to negotiate, or be adjusted over time. In cases where the support duties are not fulfilled, civil enforcement measures such as wage garnishment or asset seizure can be invoked.

Elatusasioissa may also intersect with tax regulations. Support payments are in most cases tax‑exempt for the recipient but the payer can deduct them from taxable income under specific conditions defined by the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto). While the state encourages voluntary compliance and mediation, court intervention remains a powerful tool for ensuring that children and former spouses receive their entitled support.