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This guidance concerns the law in the Netherlands. Translations provide a starting point; seek individual advice if anything is unclear.
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Family law in the NetherlandsThis information concerns Dutch law.
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49 guides

Separation

Applying for divorce · Recording agreements · International separation

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Children & parenting

Parenting plan · Parental authority and contact · Shared care

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Money & housing

Housing and pensions · Maintenance · Assets and debts

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Help & procedure

Lawyers and legal aid · Responding to a petition · Appeals

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10 tools

Your separation route

Explore steps for marriage, partnership or cohabitation.

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Build a parenting plan

Draft eight arrangements and identify open points.

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Two-week care schedule

Plan fourteen nights and view the split and changes.

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Maintenance indexation

Calculate with verified rates through 2026.

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Knowledge base

The questions behind your next step.

From the first decision to agreements that continue to work. Read the guidance, consider your options and use the relevant tool.

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Separation

Divorce: from first decision to agreements

Read what you need to prepare for a divorce in the Netherlands and what assistance is appropriate.

6 min readChildren & parenting

Create a parenting plan

A parenting plan helps to record agreements about the children clearly and executably.

7 min readMoney & housing

Child support: agreements on costs

Understand how to discuss and carefully record your child's financial care.

6 min readChildren & parenting

Understanding parental authority

Authority determines who can and must make important decisions about a minor child.

6 min readMoney & housing

The family home after separation: stay, leave or sell?

Distinguish temporary occupation, ownership, financing and the tax consequences of the home.

6 min readSeparation

Mediation in a family matter

Consider whether supported discussion fits your disagreement and circumstances.

5 min read
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Opinion & perspective

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Family law involves more than procedures. Our editorial team explains its views and the reasoning behind them.

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Opinion

A child is not a bargaining chip in a dispute over money

A missed payment does not turn a care arrangement into a negotiating tool. Taking children’s interests seriously means keeping the financial dispute with the adults.

Family Law in the Netherlands editorial teamOpinion

Shared parenting is not a contest to count equal nights

Equal standing for parents deserves protection. An exactly equal division of calendar days is not the right measure for every family.

Family Law in the Netherlands editorial teamOpinion

Mediation deserves trust and clear boundaries

The choice to find a joint solution must not become an obligation to sign an agreement under pressure.

Family Law in the Netherlands editorial team
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Clear about rules. Open about choices.

Factual guidance and editorial opinions have their own place. Calculations show their assumptions. You can see who is speaking and where the information comes from.

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Sources and background

These sources relate to the topics on this overview page. Specific sources accompany each article. A source citation is not a legal review.

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Family law in the Netherlands
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Divorce: from first decision to agreementsCreate a parenting planUnderstanding parental authorityAgree on a care arrangement or visitation arrangementChild support: agreements on costsSpousal support after a divorceRecognition and legal parenthoodSeparated after living togetherTerminating a registered partnershipMediation in a family matterLawyer costs and subsidised legal aidSafety in family conflictsCalculating child maintenance: understand the steps behind the amountChanging maintenance: from changed circumstances to a substantiated requestMaintenance not paid: build a clear record of missed paymentsMaintenance indexation in 2026: check the amount, base year and paymentsMaintenance from age eighteen: involve the young adultHow long does spousal maintenance last? Check the applicable rules firstA business during divorce: establish entitlements before valuationDivorcing as a business owner: explain income and maintain continuityInternational divorce: four legal questions before choosing a countryDivorcing a foreign partner: handle language, documents and residence separatelyApplying for parental authority: first check whether you already have itContact arrangements not followed: distinguish restoring contact from safety concernsReceived a divorce petition? Prepare your response for each issueAppealing a family-law decision: assess the ruling, your interests and the routeMarital property agreements on divorce: read the deed before dividing assetsGifts or inheritance on divorce: trace the money and its legal basisChild budget after separation: check the applicant, household and calculationDivorcing with debts: distinguish sharing the burden from creditors’ rightsA new partner and maintenance: identify which question really changesApplying for divorce: preparing for the procedureSeparating with children: from the first conversation to a daily planDivorce settlement agreement: what to understand before signingInterim measures during divorce: what cannot wait?The family home after separation: stay, leave or sell?Buying out a partner: questions before the calculationPensions after divorce: rights, choices and implementationDividing assets and debts after separationThe child interview: space for the child's voiceShared parenting: from a schedule to workable arrangementsMoving with a child after separation: preparation and consentHolidays abroad with a child: authority, consent and documentsSeparation: what should you arrange in the first week?Communication after separation: make workable arrangementsWhich documents do you need when separating?Reviewing separation agreements: does the plan still work?Family-law help in another language: prepare your meetingUrgency in a family case: which question needs assessment first?Decision guidesYour separation routeDecision guidesBuild a parenting planDecision guidesTwo-week care scheduleDecision guidesChild-cost budgetDecision guidesMaintenance indexationDecision guidesPrepare for your lawyerDecision guidesCould mediation fit your situation?Decision guidesExplore home equity and divisionDecision guidesLegal-cost plannerDecision guidesCheck your parenting arrangementsOpinionA child is not a bargaining chip in a dispute over moneyOpinionShared parenting is not a contest to count equal nightsOpinionMediation deserves trust and clear boundariesOpinionUnderstandable legal help during separation is not a luxuryOpinionA maintenance amount deserves an explanation both parents can followOpinionParenting after separation needs fewer slogans and better arrangementsLegal helpFind a family lawyerLegal helpExplore subsidised legal aidLegal helpDecision guidesLegal helpChecklists
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I want to separateRead what you need to prepare for a divorce in the Netherlands and what assistance is appropriate.
I want to arrange care for our childrenA parenting plan helps to record agreements about the children clearly and executably.
I have a question about parental authorityAuthority determines who can and must make important decisions about a minor child.
I want to arrange maintenanceUnderstand how to discuss and carefully record your child's financial care.
I need help with legal costsClarify costs in advance and have possible financial assistance assessed.
I am worried about safetyWhen there is fear, coercion or violence, appropriate support comes before new negotiations.

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