Alimentatie

Maintenance refers to the payment of support as determined by the court or by agreement. Under Dutch law, a distinction is drawn between spousal maintenance and child maintenance, both of which are governed by the Civil Code.

This regime is relevant as it compensates for the financial vulnerability of the party entitled to maintenance following the termination of a marriage or cohabitation. In this regard, the recipient’s needs and the payer’s financial capacity are taken into account.

In practice, maintenance is frequently established by means of a divorce agreement or by the court. The amount may subsequently be varied upon a change in circumstances, such as an alteration in income or remarriage.