---
title: "How to collect child support from a debtor hiding abroad: a step-by-step guide from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine"
description: "A parent moved abroad and stopped paying child support? The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has explained how to collect money through foreign courts. A Ukrainian court decision does not take effect automatically, but the recognition procedure is quite realistic. 🇺🇦⚖️"
date: 2026-06-08T05:04:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/how-to-collect-child-support-from-a-debtor-hiding-abroad-step-by-step-guide-from-the-ministry-of-justice-of-ukraine
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# How to collect child support from a debtor hiding abroad: a step-by-step guide from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine

![Man in kitchen with documents and phone, worried about collecting child support from a debtor abroad](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/08/kak-vzyskat-alimenty-s-dolzhnika-za-granicey-instrukciya-ot-minyusta/kak-vzyskat-alimenty-s-dolzhnika-za-granicey-instrukciya-ot-minyusta-1.webp)

For many Ukrainian families, the issue of child support payments remains acute, especially if the parent obligated to pay has moved abroad. The situation may seem hopeless, but the Ministry of Justice has clarified that Ukrainian court decisions are valid not only within the country but also beyond its borders. The key is knowing the correct algorithm of actions.

According to information from the Dnipro Interregional Department of the Ministry of Justice, a Ukrainian court decision does not automatically take effect in another country. For bailiffs or judicial authorities of a foreign state to begin collection, the document must undergo the procedure of international recognition.

### Mechanisms of international recognition

There are two main ways to legalize a court decision abroad. In both cases, foreign courts do not review the case on its merits — they will not re-examine who is right and who is wrong. Their task is limited to checking the compliance of the submitted documents with international treaties and the national requirements of the receiving country.

### Action algorithm for collection

If one of the parents lives abroad, Ministry of Justice specialists recommend acting according to the following plan:

    - Prepare a package of documents, including the Ukrainian court decision and the writ of execution.

    - Send a request to the competent authority of the foreign state where the debtor resides.

After receiving the request, the foreign authority reviews the documents and, if they comply with the norms, takes measures for compulsory collection of funds in accordance with local legislation.

Today, child support cases are one of the most common categories of international legal assistance. This allows for the effective protection of children's rights, even if parents are far apart. Authorities emphasize that the existence of international treaties significantly simplifies this process, making it accessible to most citizens.