Financial abuse is a form of psychological violence that, unfortunately, occurs in many Swedish child custody disputes. It involves one parent using financial control or manipulation to gain power over the other parent or the children. In this article, we explain how financial abuse is viewed under Swedish law, and what you can do to protect yourself and your child in Sweden.
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What Is Financial Abuse?
Under Swedish family law, financial abuse happens when one parent uses money or economic pressure to control, manipulate, or harm the other parent. Examples of financial abuse in Sweden include:
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Refusing to pay child maintenance (underhållsbidrag) despite a legal obligation to do so.
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Manipulating shared finances to cause financial distress for the other parent.
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Refusing to pay for child-related costs such as clothing, school materials, or extracurricular activities.
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Prolonging legal processes in Swedish courts to increase the other parent’s legal expenses.
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Failing to pay their share of joint loans or debts in Sweden.
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How Does Financial Abuse Affect Custody Disputes in Sweden?
In Swedish custody disputes (vårdnadstvister), financial abuse can be used as a way to gain leverage or punish the other parent. This could include:
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Refusing to pay child support even when the child primarily lives with the other parent.
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Deliberately delaying Swedish court proceedings to cause financial hardship.
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Using financial threats to influence decisions regarding custody (vårdnad), residence (boende), or visitation (umgänge).
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How Can This Affect Children in Sweden?
Children in Sweden may be negatively affected if one parent uses financial abuse against the other, leading to:
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Uncertainty about basic needs such as food, clothing, and housing.
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Increased parental conflict, harming the child’s emotional well-being.
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Feelings of guilt or being forced to take sides.
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Swedish law requires that the child’s best interests (barnets bästa) always come first in any custody dispute. Financial abuse works against this principle and puts the child’s security at risk.
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What Can You Do Under Swedish Law?
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Seek legal assistance. Contact a Swedish lawyer experienced in family law and custody disputes.
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Document the abuse. Save emails, text messages, and other evidence of the other parent’s behavior.
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Apply for child support through Försäkringskassan. In Sweden, if the other parent refuses to pay child maintenance, you can apply for support through the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan).
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Take legal action in a Swedish court. You may ask the court to rule on child maintenance or custody issues.
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Focus on the child’s best interests. Explain to the court how the financial abuse is affecting your child’s well-being.
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Do You Need Help With a Custody Dispute in Sweden?
If you are involved in a custody dispute in Sweden where financial abuse is taking place, we have extensive experience representing parents in Swedish family courts. We can help you protect your rights and your child’s best interests.
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Contact us today for a free initial consultation about your legal options in Sweden.
