Can a child of full age require financial assistance from his or her parents?

A young woman who has reached the age of majority wants her father to pay a direct contribution of €500 per month for her maintenance and education. Until then, a maintenance allowance of €150 was paid to her mother, with whom the young woman lived. This financial contribution was set at the time of his parents' divorce.

The Metz Court of Appeal declared Ms R.'s application inadmissible for lack of interest in bringing proceedings. She notes that the child is still dependent on his mother who receives maintenance fixed at €150 per month at the time of his divorce. The Court of Appeal also considers that the mother must be involved in the proceedings in the case of a request for contribution.

Ms R. lodged an appeal in cassation, arguing that any party seeking an order that another be ordered to pay her a sum of money necessarily has an interest in bringing proceedings.

Can the adult child claim a contribution directly from the parent with whom he or she does not live, even if the parent is already paying child support?

Public Service replies:

The Court of Cassation overturns the decision of the Court of Appeal of Metz in the judgment of 4 march 2026 (appeal no 23-21.835). It asserts that, in accordance with articles 203 and 371-2 under the civil code, a child who has reached the age of majority has the right and the interest to bring proceedings against one or other of his or her parents in order to obtain a contribution to his or her maintenance and upbringing, whether that contribution is supplementary or primary.

The parental obligation to maintain a child does not disappear by the age of majority. A child who has reached the age of majority can therefore apply directly to a parent for a financial contribution in order to meet his or her needs, and even if a pension is already paid to the other parent.