Child Support: How Is It Determined and What Are Your Rights?

·3 min read
Child Support: How Is It Determined and What Are Your Rights?

How is child support calculated in the Netherlands? Learn about the factors that determine the amount and your legal rights as a parent.

If you and your partner decide to divorce, it is very important that the care for your children is properly arranged. An important aspect here is the determination of child support. This is the financial contribution that both parents must make, in proportion to their means, to the costs of raising and caring for their children.

AtArslanLawyers we understand that arranging child support can be an emotionally and legally complex process. Our family law lawyers are ready to advise and support you in determining or changing child support.

What is child support?

Child support is a financial contribution that the non-custodial parent must pay to the custodial parent to cover the costs of the child. This contribution is determined on the basis of the net income of both parents and the costs of the child during and after the marriage.

Legal obligations

Both parents are obliged by law to contribute to the costs of their children according to their ability to pay. This obligation applies to children until the age of 18 and can in some cases continue until the age of 21, for example when the child is still studying. The maintenance obligation also applies to stepparents, as long as they are married or have a registered partnership with the child's parent.

How is child support calculated?

The judge uses the so-called 'Trema norms' when determining child support. This takes into account the income of both parents, their ability to pay after the divorce, and the needs of the child. The alimony is adjusted annually on the basis of a legally established indexation.

At Arslan Advocaten we use these standards to make an accurate alimony calculation, so that you know where you stand.

Change in child support

It may happen that circumstances change after the divorce, as a result of which the established child support no longer matches the current situation. For example, when one of the parents becomes unemployed, receives a higher income, remarries, or has children again. In that case, child support may be reviewed and adjusted.

Our lawyers can help you recalculate the alimony and submit a request for modification to the court, if you and your ex-partner cannot reach an agreement.

How can Arslan Advocaten help?

At Arslan Advocaten, a team of experienced family law lawyers is ready to guide you through the child support process. We ensure that your interests and those of your children always come first and help you to make fair agreements about the financial future of your children.

Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation. We are happy to help you.

Frequently asked questions

Tot welke leeftijd moet ik kinderalimentatie betalen?
De onderhoudsplicht loopt door tot het kind 21 jaar wordt. Tot 18 jaar gaat het om kinderalimentatie, daarna om een bijdrage in levensonderhoud en studie.
Wat zijn de Tremanormen?
Dat zijn landelijke richtlijnen die rechters gebruiken om alimentatie te berekenen. Ze kijken naar de behoefte van het kind en de draagkracht van beide ouders en worden jaarlijks geactualiseerd.
Kan kinderalimentatie worden verlaagd of verhoogd?
Ja, bij een relevante wijziging van omstandigheden, zoals een ander inkomen, hertrouwen of een gewijzigde zorgverdeling. U kunt dit samen regelen of aan de rechter voorleggen.
Wat kan ik doen als de alimentatie niet wordt betaald?
U kunt het LBIO inschakelen. Dat bureau kan de inning kosteloos overnemen en het verschuldigde bedrag desnoods met opslag innen.
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