Poland's tighter alimony laws compel debtors to pay up: report

A growing number of debtors who have so far shirked their duty of paying maintenance arrears are paying up, according the National Debt Register. In its report the agency said that 650 new debtors were added to the register in September, down from 2,500 a year earlier.

Also, the overall overdue amount has dropped to PLN 106 million from PLN 180 million (EUR 42 million) in spring, the Rzeczpospolita daily reported.

Under new legal regulations introduced in March, if the outstanding alimony is greater than three months’ worth of child support contributions, a parent may step up legal action against their former spouse or partner.

“It’s plain to see that the new law has given the debtors a scare, as even those who haven’t paid any alimony for a decade have begun paying up,” said Iwona Janeczek, a member of the For Our Children non-governmental organisation, which brings together women fighting for child support.

Debtors predominantly fear two kinds of penalties: community service and electronic surveillance, debt collector Robert Damski told Rzeczpospolita. “The latter solution would prevent them from doing undeclared work, which they often opt for,” Damski said.

Under Polish law, failure to make alimony payments carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. (aba/gs)

Source: Rzeczpospolita