Your resource for divorce law in The Netherlands
A parent with sole custody traditionally has the right to decide all matters regarding their child without needing permission from the other parent. This includes moving abroad with the child if the parent so wishes. However, in recent years the rights of the other parent, usually fathers, are increasingly beingRead more
As of January 1st, 2023 any parent that is officially registered on a child’s birth certificate will have automatic parental custody of the child in The Netherlands. Up until now unmarried parents had to register custody arrangements separately with the courts after the birth. This needed the cooperation of theRead more
Joint parental custody means that both parents need to agree on a school for their child. Choosing a school can be problematic, not just in divorce situations. Dutch law permits parents to request the family court to resolve any disputes that may occur. This article explains how the courts generallyRead more
Child maintenance is usually owed until the age of 21 in The Netherlands. However, a child legally reaches majority at 18. Who is therefore responsible for requesting maintenance for young adults once they reach the age of 18?
What an be sweeter than a picture posted on social media by a proud parent of their child? Or a grandmother that posts a video of their grandchild? Even these simple actions can lead to conflict if one of the parents does not approve. In most cases, these conflicts ariseRead more
A proposal to enshrine in law that fathers* have automatic legal custody of a child once they are legally recognised as the father, was recently passed by the Dutch lower house. This legislation, fully recognising parental custody of unmarried parents, now awaits approval in the upper house. *This bill isRead more
Covid-19 provides particular problems for parents with an international background. Many parents either want or need their children to travel during the school holidays to visit the other parent or close family. Disputes between divorced parents regarding holidays due to Covid-19 are on the rise. In the past few monthsRead more
Bringing up a child is never easy, but specific problems can arise when a child is growing up in two households after a divorce. If the rules in both homes are different, then tensions and disputes can grow. In most cases communication is the key. But what if both parentsRead more
Dutch law requires that parents draw up a parenting plan (“ouderschapsplan“) for the future care of their children before they can file for divorce. The parenting plan must contain future care arrangements, communication and financials regarding the children. However, the arrangements themselves are left completely up to the parents. TheRead more
As a parent you want to keep up a meaningful and nurturing relationship with your children after a divorce. But what if your ex-partner constantly refuses to give you consent to go on holidays with your children? Or refuses to give you their passports so you can visit your family?Read more