International Issue reducing alimony paid to German Wife

[marguerite]

When my American brother was divorced to his german wife of two years, he agreed to pay her an outrageous monthly amount of support for her ( unemplyed) and their 6 year old son. Now he has changed jobs and he earns half of what is salary was at the time of the settlement. Can he change the amount he pays for support for her without having to hire a German lawyer? Can he go through the German court system with out a lawyer? Thanks!

 

[NYClex]

No. According to German law, in family court matters he needs to be represented by an attorney. § 78 ZPO (German Civil Procedure Law)

But the good news is: in Germany lawyers' fees are regulated by the government and much lower than here in the States. It surely will be cheaper to hire a German lawyer to get the child support and alimony payments lowered than to continue paying the higher rate.