elatusvoimaa

Elatusvoimaa is a Finnish term used in family law and social policy to describe the capacity to provide financial maintenance to dependents. The word combines elatus (maintenance) and voima (power, ability). In practice, elatusvoima refers to the financial potential of an individual or household to meet the needs of children or other dependents, after considering income, assets, debts, and other regular obligations. It is used to assess how much maintenance a parent or guardian can realistically contribute, and thus can influence decisions on child support and spousal maintenance.

Elatusvoima is related to, but distinct from, elatusvelvollisuus (the duty to provide maintenance) and elatuskyky (the ability to pay). While elatusvelvollisuus is a legal obligation, elatusvoima focuses on practical capacity, often taking into account necessary living costs and other commitments. In many cases elatuskyky is used interchangeably with elatusvoima, but some explanations prefer to reserve elatusvoima for the overall capacity rather than the legally defined obligation.

In Finnish practice, elatusvoima may be reassessed if a parent's income or family circumstances change, such as obtaining a new job, becoming unemployed, or changes in the number of dependents. The concept helps ensure that maintenance decisions reflect real financial possibilities rather than nominal earnings.

See also: elatusvelvollisuus, lapsen elatus, elatuskyky.