How Much Child Support is Paid for Two Children in Israel? | Attorney Roziel Amir

Child Support for Two Children: What is the Expected Amount?

This question arises at a sensitive time in family life — when a couple faces divorce, separation, or new family arrangements. In the absence of a written agreement between the parents, the family court determines the amount of child support based on the Family Law, Law of Jurisdiction in Monetary Claims, 5751–1991 and the updated guidelines of the courts.

The amount of child support for two children depends on many factors: parental income, the children's needs, the family's standard of living before the separation, custody percentage, additional expenses, and several other factors that the judge weighs in their discretion. Therefore, there is no single definitive answer — but there are typical ranges and precise calculations that can be predicted.

What is Child Support According to Israeli Law?

Child support is a monetary amount that one parent pays to the other parent (or directly to the children at a certain age) to cover their daily needs. This includes food, clothing, housing (part of rent or mortgage payments), education, healthcare, activities, and culture. Child support is a legal obligation, not a gift — and a parent who fails to pay can be convicted in enforcement proceedings or even criminal proceedings.

In Israel, typically, the parent who does not have daily custody of the children pays child support to the custodial parent. However, a parent with part-time custody or equal custody may also be obligated to pay child support, depending on their income and the children's needs.

How is Child Support for Two Children Calculated?

Israeli courts use a basic formula called the "child support formula" or "formula approach." The method takes into account several variables:

• Monthly income of the payer: Net income, after taxes and national insurance. Includes salary, self-employment income, dividends, real estate income, etc.
• Income of the other party (recipient): This also affects the calculation, as the court expects the recipient to contribute from their income.
• Number of children: Each child receives a share of the total amount. For two children, the share is higher than for one child.
• Custody percentage: If the payer has the children on certain days of the week, the amount decreases. Equal custody (50/50) significantly affects the child support amount.
• Additional needs: Healthcare, private education, activities, treatments — these costs are added to the basic amount.
• Standard of living: The court examines the standard of living the children enjoyed before the separation and attempts to maintain it.

Typical Child Support Range for Two Children

Based on data collected from court cases in recent times, these ranges are estimates only and depend on the specific circumstances of each family:

• Monthly income of 8,000–12,000 ₪ (payer): Child support typically 1,500–2,500 ₪ for two children.
• Monthly income of 12,000–18,000 ₪: Child support typically 2,500–4,000 ₪ for two children.
• Monthly income of 18,000–25,000 ₪: Child support typically 4,000–6,000 ₪ for two children.
• Monthly income above 25,000 ₪: Child support typically 6,000 ₪ and above, with court discretion based on needs.

It is important to emphasize: these are estimated ranges only. A court may deviate from them based on the specific circumstances of the case.

Factors Affecting Child Support Calculation

Every child support case is unique. Family courts do not use a mechanical formula alone, but examine all circumstances. Below are the key factors:

1. Income of Both Parents

This is the starting point. The court requires submission of tax files, bank statements, employment contracts, and salary reports. If there is self-employment, accounting reports are required. "Hidden" income or evidence of income concealment can lead to a judgment based on "imputed income" — meaning the court will determine an amount it estimates the parent earns, even if they did not prove it.

2. Custody and Time with Each Parent

If custody is 100% with one parent, the paying parent pays full child support. If custody is equal (50/50), both pay child support to each other based on the difference — or it may be that one parent pays nothing at all, depending on income. Custody of 30/70 or any other division affects the ratio.

3. Needs of the Children

Basic needs: food, clothing, housing, electricity, water. Additional needs: private school (if children study there), private lessons, sports, music, medical treatments (including dental and eyeglasses), trips and extracurricular activities. The court decides which needs are "reasonable" according to the family's standard of living.

4. Standard of Living Before Separation

This is a foundational principle in family law in Israel: children are entitled to maintain a lifestyle similar to what they knew when their parents were together. If the family lived at a high standard (large home, vacations abroad, private school), the court will take this into account.

5. Additional Expenses (Housing, Vehicle, Insurance)

If the receiving parent maintains housing where the children live, part of the rent or mortgage payments may be included in the calculation. A vehicle used for transporting children, private health insurance, and additional insurance — all of these can be sources of additional expense beyond basic child support.

6. Investment Opportunities or Assets of the Payer

If the payer has assets (real estate ownership, investments, savings accounts), the court may consider their ability to invest and earn. This does not mean the assets are divided, but rather the earning capacity implied from them affects the determination of child support.

7. Special Needs of Children

If a child has special needs (disability, chronic illness, need for treatment), the court will determine higher child support to cover these expenses.

Practical Examples: Calculating Child Support for Two Children

To better understand, let us go through several practical scenarios. Each example reflects a common situation in legal cases:

Scenario 1: Full Custody, Average Income

Details: Paying father, net monthly income 14,000 ₪. Mother, net monthly income 7,000 ₪. Two children aged 8 and 11. Full custody with mother. Both children attend public school.

Calculation: The court will calculate the combined income (21,000 ₪) and divide it according to the relative contribution. The expected child support amount is typically 2,800–3,500 ₪ per month, depending on additional needs.

Scenario 2: Equal Custody, Different Incomes

Details: Paying father, net monthly income 20,000 ₪. Mother, net monthly income 10,000 ₪. Two children aged 6 and 9. 50/50 custody (each parent has the children 3–4 days per week). Both children attend public school; one participates in sports activities (cost 200 ₪ per month).

Calculation: Due to equal custody, the child support amount decreases significantly. The parent with the higher income (the father) will typically pay 1,200–1,800 ₪ per month, depending on the income differential calculation.

Scenario 3: High Income, Additional Needs

Details: Paying father, net monthly income 35,000 ₪. Mother, net monthly income 12,000 ₪. Two children aged 12 and 14. Full custody with mother. Both children attend private school (cost 4,000 ₪ per month for both). Private tutoring in Hebrew and mathematics (1,000 ₪ per month). One child plays in an orchestra (500 ₪ per month).

Calculation: In this scenario, the child support amount is significantly higher. The court will set basic child support of approximately 5,000–6,500 ₪, plus direct payment of a portion of private school expenses (approximately 2,000–2,500 ₪), plus a portion of additional expenses. Total: 7,500–9,000 ₪ per month.

Scenario 4: Low Income, Partial Custody

Details: Paying father, net monthly income 8,500 ₪ (minimum wage employment). Mother, net monthly income 6,500 ₪. Two children aged 7 and 10. 70/30 custody (father has the children on Thursday and weekends). Both children attend public school.

Calculation: In this scenario, the child support amount will be lower due to the lower income. The court may set child support of approximately 900–1,300 ₪ per month, depending on needs and exact incomes.

Legal Process: How Are Child Support Payments Determined in Court?

If parents cannot agree on the amount of child support, the case is brought to a Family Court. Here are the stages of the process:

Stage 1: Filing a Petition with the Court

One parent (usually the custodial parent or the parent with lower income) files a petition with the Family Court, accompanied by a tax file, bank statements, and a table of the child's needs. The other parent is requested to respond within a short timeframe (usually 2–3 weeks).

Stage 2: Filing Documents and Evidence

Both parties submit supporting documents: salary slips, income certificates, tax returns from the last 3 years, bank statements, sample records of child-related expenses, etc. If there is a dispute over income, an audit by a certified public accountant may be required.

Stage 3: Court Hearing

Generally, the court summons both parties (or their legal representatives) for a hearing in the courtroom. During the hearing, the judge listens to arguments from both sides, reviews the documents, and asks questions. Often, the judge attempts to encourage an agreement between the parties to avoid a judicial decision that might leave one party more satisfied than the other.

Stage 4: Court Decision

If no agreement is reached, the judge issues a written decision. This decision includes the legal reasoning, the factors the judge considered, and the monthly child support amount determined. The decision may also include additional conditions, such as updating child support in accordance with changes in income or needs.

Stage 5: Right of Appeal

If one party is dissatisfied with the decision, they may appeal to the District Court within 30 days. In the appeal, the court examines whether the judge erred in law or in the assessment of the facts.

Alimony Agreement: An Alternative to Legal Proceedings

Not every alimony case needs to reach court. If both parents agree on the amount of alimony, they can sign a written agreement. This agreement must be approved by the court to have full legal force.

Benefits of an Alimony Agreement

• Savings on legal costs: Legal proceedings can take months and cost tens of thousands of shekels in attorney fees. An out-of-court agreement saves time and money.
• Preservation of relationships: When both parents agree, they maintain better relationships, which benefits the children.
• Flexibility: An agreement can include customized terms, such as updating alimony according to changes in income or needs.
• Quick resolution: An agreement can be approved within weeks, compared to months in legal proceedings.

What Should an Alimony Agreement Include?

• Full names and identity numbers of both parents.
• Full names and identity numbers of the children (or birth certificates).
• The monthly alimony amount in shekels.
• Payment start date.
• Payment method (bank transfer, check, etc.).
• Conditions for updating alimony (annually? based on income changes? based on CPI adjustments?).
• Additional expenses not included in alimony (healthcare, private education, etc.).
• Signatures of both parents in the presence of a witness or attorney.

Court Approval

After signing the agreement, it must be submitted to the Family Court for approval. Typically, the court approves the agreement if it is fair and does not harm the children's rights. This approval makes the agreement legally binding and enforceable in court if one parent stops paying.

Enforcement of Alimony: What Happens if Payment is Not Made?

Unfortunately, there are cases where one parent refuses to pay alimony or pays late. In Israel, there are several ways to enforce payment:

Civil Enforcement Procedure

If there is a written agreement or a court order, the receiving parent can file a request with the court for payment enforcement. The court can issue an immediate payment order, impose financial penalties on the payer, or even transfer the case to the tax authority to seize a mortgage or other property.

Criminal Procedure

If the paying parent ignores a court decision or approved agreement, the receiving parent can file a criminal complaint in a general claim or criminal case. A violation of alimony non-payment can lead to a fine or even imprisonment (in serious circumstances).

Mortgage and Property Seizure

The Israeli tax authority can seize a mortgage, property, or bank account of the payer if they owe alimony. This is especially urgent when there is an accumulated debt of several months.

Conditions for Release from Prison

If the payer is accused of violating the alimony obligation, the court can order their release from prison on the condition that they comply with new payments and settle the previous debt.

Modification of Alimony: When and How?

Alimony is not a fixed amount forever. If there is a significant change in circumstances (income, custody, needs), you can request a modification of the alimony amount.

Grounds for Modification

• Change in income: If the payer has earned significantly more or less, they can request a reduction or increase in alimony accordingly.
• Change in custody: If custody has changed from 100% with one parent to 50/50, the alimony should change.
• Change in needs: If a child has added activities or new expenses, or conversely—reduced them.
• Change in the child's age: When a child reaches a certain age (for example, 18), they may no longer be entitled to alimony, or their needs may change.
• Change in health status: If a child develops a chronic illness or requires special treatment, this can increase alimony.

Modification Process

The party requesting the modification files a request with the court, accompanied by evidence of the change in circumstances. The court examines the request and decides whether the change is significant enough to justify a modification. If so, the court issues a new decision with the updated alimony amount.

Automatic Indexation According to CPI

Some agreements or court decisions include a provision whereby alimony is automatically updated according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This ensures that alimony does not lose its value due to inflation.