Child support and parent-child relations

Child support

When a couple with minor children divorces, one of the parents will be designated as the guardian of the children.
The parent with custody will be responsible for the custody and upbringing of the child, providing care for the child's daily life and education, managing the child's property, and making agreements to ensure that the child's legal acts are valid.

On the other hand, the parent who was not granted custody cannot escape responsibility for raising the child just because he or she is not granted custody. The parent who was not granted custody is still the child's parent and must share the responsibility of raising the child.　

New rules for custody, child support, parent-child interaction, etc.

On May 17, 2024, a law was enacted to amend parts of the Civil Code and other laws in order to ensure the interests of children after their parents divorce.
This law clarifies the responsibilities of parents regarding the upbringing of their children and revises provisions regarding parental rights, custody, child support, parent-child interaction, etc., and will come into effect in April 2026.

The main changes areCLICK HEREPlease check the page.

Child support arrangements should be made in writing

It is important to specify as specifically and clearly as possible the amount of child support, the payment method, and the payment period, and to have both parents sign the agreement to avoid any disputes about the contents of the agreement later.

If you are unable to reach an agreement at the time of divorce, you can request child support at any time after the divorce until the child becomes financially and socially independent.

We recommend that you have the details of the agreement documented in a notarized document. If the parents are unable to reach an agreement through discussion, they can apply for mediation at the family court.

<Reference>

• (Ministry of Justice) Impact of lowering the age of majority on child support arrangements
• (Ministry of Justice) Regarding the Act amending the Civil Code (regarding age of majority)

We will implement an initiative to help single parents secure child support.

Fukuoka City will implement a system to subsidize the costs of preparing notarized documents and the guarantee fees for signing a child support guarantee contract.CLICK HEREPlease check the page.

Parent-child interaction

(Visitation has been changed to "parent-child contact.")

Parent-child interaction is when a parent who lives apart from their child meets with the child on a regular or continuous basis, talks with the child, plays with the child, and otherwise interacts with the child. Even in the event of divorce, children can develop a deep sense of security and self-esteem by knowing that they are loved by both parents.

There are cases where parent-child contact should be refrained from due to circumstances such as the risk of violence against children during parent-child contact, such as when there was violence in the home before the divorce (separation). In such cases, if the parties are unable to discuss the matter, they should use family court mediation to come to a mutually satisfactory solution to the problem. If no agreement can be reached even after using the mediation procedure, the matter will be decided by arbitration.

How to arrange parent-child contact

Arrangements regarding parent-child interactions should include the time, method, and frequency of parent-child interactions, as well as rules that both parents must follow. It is also a good idea to decide as specifically as possible who will take the children to and from school, where, and how. If the parents are unable to reach an agreement through discussion, they can apply for mediation at the family court.

[Ministry of Justice] About "Guidelines and Q&A for drafting an agreement on child rearing"

The Ministry of Justice has created a pamphlet that provides easy-to-understand explanations of how to decide on child support and parent-child contact (visitation) and how to achieve this.

The Civil Code stipulates that in the case of a divorce by mutual consent, not only must the custodial parent (parental authority) of the child be determined, but also parent-child interaction and the division of child support, and that such agreements "must give first priority to the interests of the child."

This pamphlet will be distributed to people who come to pick up a divorce notification form at their city, town, or village office, so when you are getting divorced, please use this pamphlet as a reference and make efforts to make arrangements regarding "child support" and "parent-child interaction" (Please note that due to delivery arrangements, some city, town, or villages have not yet started distributing this pamphlet).

In addition, a template for the agreement included in this pamphlet is available on this website, so please feel free to use it as well.

(Ministry of Justice website)About the "Guidelines and Q&A for drafting an agreement on child rearing"

[Ministry of Justice] For those considering divorce: Things to consider when getting divorced

The Ministry of Justice's website provides basic information on matters to consider when getting divorced, and also introduces videos that explain various aspects such as the importance of child support, how to arrange it, how to arrange parent-child contact, and court procedures.

Please use this as a reference when considering your and your child's future.

When putting the interests of the child first, it is important to make arrangements regarding parent-child interactions and child support after divorce.
Before submitting your divorce notification, please also check the Ministry of Justice website.

[Ministry of Justice] For those considering divorce: Things to consider when getting divorced

For consultation regarding child support and parent-child relations

Child Support and Parent-Child Interaction Consultation and Support Center

address:　http://www.youikuhi-soudan.jp/

• Telephone consultation
  0120-965-419
  (For mobile phones,03-3980-4108)
• Consultation time
  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10:00-20:00
  Wednesday 12:00-22:00
  Saturdays and holidays: 10:00-18:00
• Email consultation
  info@youikuhi.or.jp

Fukuoka City Single Parent Family Support Center (We also provide lifestyle and employment consultations.)

address:　https://www.fukspc.com/

• Phone Number
  092-715-8805　　FAX: 092-725-7720
• Address
  2-5-15 Otemon, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City　
  (Closed on Mondays and from December 12th to January 29rd.)
• Consultation method
  Interview consultation, phone consultation
• Consultation time
  Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 21:00
  Sundays and holidays: 9:00am - 17:30pm
• Legal counsel
  Every Saturday from 14:00 to 16:00 (Advance reservations required)

Fukuoka City Gender Equality Promotion Center "Amicus" (We also accept general consultations regarding divorce.)

address:　https://www.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/shimin/jigyosuishin/life/amikas.html

• Phone Number
  092-526-3788
• Address
  3-3-1 Takamiya, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City　
• Consultation method
  Telephone consultation, face-to-face consultation (reservation required)
• Consultation time
  Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 16:30
  (Closed on the second and last Tuesday of every month and from December 28th to January XNUMXrd.)
  2nd and 4th Monday of every month 10:00-20:00 (excluding public holidays)
• Legal counsel
  1st to 4th Wednesday of every month 13:00 to 16:00 (Advance booking required)
  Every fourth Monday of the month, 18:00-20:00 (Advance reservations required, for those who have work)　

Legal Support Center (Advice on legal issues)

address:https://www.houterasu.or.jp/

• Legal Support Hotline: 0570-078374 (No worries)

　　　(From IP phones03-6745-5600)

• Reception hours: Weekdays 9:00-21:00, Saturdays 9:00-17:00 (excluding Sundays, public holidays, and the New Year holidays)

Seminar on child support and parent-child interaction

This seminar will provide basic knowledge about "child support" and "parent-child interaction" that will be useful for receiving child support in the future and for parent-child interaction.
These are held three times a year at the Single Parent Family Support Center. Individual consultation sessions are also held on matters such as mediation and enforcement procedures.

To apply, please contact the Fukuoka City Single Parent Family Support Center (contact details above).

Single-parent family information portal site "Tayotte"

We operate a portal site called "Tayotte" that compiles support measures and information from various organizations for single-parent families and families who will soon become single parents. Please feel free to make use of it.

*Click on the image to go to the site.