ALIMENTI, RIGHT TO. - The obligation to provide support (*alimenti*) to persons in a state of need, particularly to those bound by ties of kinship or affinity, is an institution deeply rooted in the idea of human solidarity and developed under Christian influence.
Among the Romans, the right to *alimenti* originally arose from agreement, testament, or patronage. The mere family relationship, as long as the structure of the Roman family remained unchanged, could not by itself give rise to such a right. The *paterfamilias* held all rights over his dependents, including the *ius vitae et necis*, the power to expose, sell, or even kill them, which he exercised extensively even over his children; yet he was burdened by no obligation toward them. Thus, the duty to support those whom one could lawfully disown or kill was inconceivable, just as the duty of children to support their parents was impossible, since children generally could possess nothing. The evolutionary process began in the classical period but within a very narrow scope, expanding under the influence of Christian ethics and culminating in Justinianic law. In the classical age, the right and duty to *alimenti* existed between father or paternal ascendant and child; in illegitimate families, between mother or maternal ascendant and child. In Justinianic law, however, such right and duty existed generally between ascendants and descendants, both in legitimate and illegitimate families. It then extended to collateral relatives and finally to spouses. In some exceptional cases, others were also bound to provide *alimenti*, for example, heirs.
Canon law continued this work of extension; within the sphere of family relations, the right to *alimenti* was recognized even for illegitimate children. Outside the family circle, new kinds of alimentary obligations were introduced: thus, a monk unjustly expelled had to be supported by the monastery; a cleric "suspended from a benefice" who had no personal property received *alimenti* from the fruits of the benefice; even the relationship of godfather and godchild arising from baptism gave rise to the alimentary right; but above all, the obligation was imposed on the beneficiary to provide *alimenti* to the patron of the benefice when in need.
The *Codex Iuris Canonici* (CIC) left the regulation of these obligations in family relations to civil laws; but with regard to obligations arising from particular canonical situations, it expressly imposes them in two cases. According to can. 980 § 2, a bishop who has conferred sacred orders on a subject lacking canonical title is obliged to provide for him until he is provided with a "congruous sustenance." Can. 1455, n. 2 renews the ancient prescription granting *alimenti*, to be deducted from the fruits of the benefice, to a patron who has fallen into need through no fault of his own.
Other canons of the CIC provide for the needs of religious who leave the religious life (cf. can. 643, § 2; 671, n. 5).
In the Italian Civil Code, the obligation to provide *alimenti* is stipulated only for certain relatives. According to art. 433, those bound are, in order: 1) the spouse, legitimate or legitimated children, and in their absence, the nearest descendants; 2) the parents, and in their absence, the nearest ascendants; 3) sons-in-law and daughters-in-law; 4) the father-in-law and mother-in-law; 5) full or half-brothers and sisters, to the extent strictly necessary, with preference given to full siblings over half-siblings.
Other norms regulate the obligation to provide *alimenti* in natural and adoptive families.
The legal obligation to provide *alimenti* is always reciprocal, in the sense that each of the persons mentioned not only has the duty but also the right to receive *alimenti*; it concerns present or future need, never past: *nemo alitur in praeteritum*. Therefore, *alimenti* can be claimed only by those who are in a state of need and unable to provide for their own maintenance (art. 438). If, after the assignment of *alimenti*, the economic conditions of either the provider or the recipient change, the judicial authority provides for their cessation, reduction, or increase, according to circumstances (art. 440).
The social character of the right to *alimenti* makes it inalienable. Therefore, neither its assignment nor its compensation is permitted.
*Alimenti* must be assigned in proportion to the need of the recipient and the economic conditions of the provider. The need of the recipient