Article 194 of the Family Code: What support includes
Status: In force
What does Article 194 say?
Support comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family.
The education of the person entitled to be supported referred to in the preceding paragraph shall include his schooling or training for some profession, trade or vocation, even beyond the age of majority. Transportation shall include expenses in going to and from school, or to and from place of work.
What does it mean in plain language?
Article 194 of the Family Code defines support. It covers everything indispensable for food and daily living, a place to live, clothing, medical care, education and transportation. It is measured by what the family can afford. Education can continue to be covered even after the child turns 18.
"Support" in Philippine law is not only money for a child. The same definition applies to every person the Code says must support another, such as spouses, parents and children, and some brothers and sisters (Article 195).
How does it work in real life?
Dina's son in college
Dina's son, Paolo, is 19 and in his second year of an engineering course. Under Article 194, his schooling can still be part of the support his father owes, because education is covered even beyond the age of majority.
Fare and school supplies
Rosa's daughter takes a jeepney to school every day. Under Article 194, transportation includes the cost of going to and from school, so the fare is part of support.
Two families, two budgets
Ana's family and Carmen's family both ask the fathers of their children for support. The fathers earn very different amounts. Article 194 measures support by the family's financial capacity, and Article 201 ties the amount to the giver's means. The two amounts can be very different, and both can be correct.
These are made-up examples to show how the rule works. They are not advice for any real case.
What does this mean in practice?
- No peso amount is set in the Code. How the amount is fixed is in Article 201; when payment starts is in Article 203.
- Who must give support, and to whom, is in Article 195.
- The person obliged may choose to pay an allowance or to take the person entitled into the family home, unless there is a moral or legal obstacle (Article 204).
- During a case for legal separation, annulment or nullity, the spouses and their children are supported from the properties of the absolute community or conjugal partnership (Article 198).
- The right to support, and money or property received as support, cannot be levied upon on attachment or execution (Article 205).
- Receipts for school, medical and other costs can help show what a person needs. The site's PSA birth certificate guide explains how to get the child's birth record. For the whole topic, see how much is child support?
What does Article 194 say?
Support comprises everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family.
The education of the person entitled to be supported referred to in the preceding paragraph shall include his schooling or training for some profession, trade or vocation, even beyond the age of majority. Transportation shall include expenses in going to and from school, or to and from place of work.
What expenses count as support?
The article lists six items. In plain words:
| Item in Article 194 | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sustenance | Food and the basic needs of daily living |
| Dwelling | A place to live |
| Clothing | Clothes |
| Medical attendance | Check-ups, treatment and medicine |
| Education | Schooling or training for a profession, trade or vocation, even beyond the age of majority |
| Transportation | Fare or other costs of going to and from school, or to and from work |
The word "indispensable" matters. Support covers what is needed, not every expense. The words "in keeping with the financial capacity of the family" also matter: a family with more resources may be expected to provide more.
Does support continue after 18?
For education, it can. The age of majority is 18 (Article 234). Article 194 says education is covered "even beyond the age of majority", for schooling or training for a profession, trade or vocation. The article does not set an upper age limit. Whether a particular adult child is still entitled depends on the facts and the court.
Which Supreme Court rulings are relevant?
Frequently asked questions
What does support mean in the Family Code?
Article 194 says support is everything indispensable for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical attendance, education and transportation, in keeping with the financial capacity of the family.
Does support stop when the child turns 18?
Not for education. Article 194 says education includes schooling or training for a profession, trade or vocation, even beyond the age of majority. The age of majority is 18 (Article 234).
Is the school fare part of support?
Yes. Article 194 says transportation includes expenses in going to and from school, or to and from the place of work.
Is there a fixed amount of support?
No. Article 194 measures support by the family's financial capacity, and Article 201 says the amount is in proportion to the giver's resources and the recipient's needs. No fixed amount or percentage is set in the Code.
Can support be paid by letting the child live in the giver's home?
Article 204 lets the person obliged choose between paying the fixed allowance and receiving the person entitled into the family dwelling. The second option cannot be used if there is a moral or legal obstacle.
General information, not legal advice. For your case, ask a lawyer, the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) or the agency.
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