Best Child Support Lawyers in Ruinen

About Child Support Law in Ruinen, Netherlands

Child support in Ruinen is governed by national Dutch law. Whether parents are married, in a registered partnership, cohabiting, or separated, both have a legal duty to contribute to their childs costs. Courts and practitioners apply uniform national rules and judicial guidelines, so the approach in Ruinen is the same as elsewhere in the Netherlands.

Child support, called kinderalimentatie, is intended to cover a childs living costs, including food, clothing, housing, school, and ordinary activities. Parents are generally obliged to support their children until age 21. Up to age 18, the contribution is paid to the caregiving parent or guardian. From 18 to 21, the contribution is usually paid to the young adult directly, unless other arrangements are made. In exceptional cases, support can continue beyond 21 if a child cannot provide for themselves, for example due to disability, but that is not automatic and depends on the circumstances.

Courts determine or approve child support based on the childs need and each parents ability to pay. Judges use standardized methods and tables to promote consistency. Parents can make their own fair agreement in a parenting plan, which a court can approve so that it becomes enforceable.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Many families can reach a fair agreement with help from a mediator or by themselves. Still, legal help is valuable in several situations. You may need a lawyer if you are divorcing or separating and must file a parenting plan and support proposal with the court. You may also need advice if income is complex, for example with self-employed parents, company directors, variable bonuses, or international employment. A lawyer is especially helpful if you need to enforce payment, if the other parent hides or understates income, or if you need quick interim support through the court.

Other common reasons include changing the amount due to a significant change in circumstances, such as loss of work, illness, a new child in either household, changed care schedule, or relocation. International cases often require specialized support to arrange recognition and enforcement across borders. A lawyer can also make sure your agreement is drafted in a way that is clear, enforceable, and tax-aware, and that it aligns with Dutch guidelines so the court will approve it.

Local Laws Overview

Key legal sources include the Dutch Civil Code Book 1 on maintenance obligations and the Dutch Code of Civil Procedure for family proceedings. Judges follow nationwide calculation guidance known as the Tremanormen. The childs need is estimated using nationwide expenditure tables that draw on Nibud data. Each parents ability to pay is calculated from their net disposable income after standard allowances, with a care discount applied when the non-resident parent provides regular care.

Age and duration. Parents usually contribute until the child turns 21. For ages 18 to 21 the contribution shifts to costs of living and study. Beyond 21, support is only possible in special situations and is not automatic.

Parenting plan. Parents with minor children who divorce or end a registered partnership must submit a parenting plan. This plan sets out care arrangements and the financial contribution. The court reviews and can approve the agreement, making it enforceable.

Adjustment and review. Support can be changed if there is a substantial change in circumstances or if the original decision or agreement was based on incorrect or incomplete information. Changes usually take effect from the date the request is filed with the court.

Indexation. Child support is normally increased annually by a statutory index percentage set by the Minister for Legal Protection. The new amount applies from 1 January each year unless both parties explicitly agreed in writing to exclude indexation.

Enforcement. If payments are not made, the recipient can request help from the Landelijk Bureau Inning Onderhoudsbijdragen, or use a bailiff to attach wages or bank accounts. To enforce, you need an enforceable title, such as a court order or a notarial deed with an enforcement clause. LBIO can usually collect arrears that are not older than five years.

Courts and local practice. Ruinen is in the municipality of De Wolden, in the district served by the District Court of Northern Netherlands. Family cases from this area are commonly handled at the Assen location. In urgent situations you can request interim measures for child support that apply until the final decision.

Tax and benefits. Since 2015 child support is generally not tax-deductible for the payer and not taxable income for the recipient. National benefits like child benefit and child budget exist separately and may influence the overall financial picture in calculations, but they are handled within the Dutch guidelines to avoid double counting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in the Netherlands

Courts and lawyers use national guidelines. First the childs need is estimated from standardized tables that consider prior household income and the number and ages of children. Then each parents ability to pay is calculated from net disposable income after standard living costs. If the non-resident parent has regular care days, a care discount is applied. The result is a monthly amount that should be affordable and cover the childs reasonable costs.

How long do I have to pay child support

Up to age 18, parents owe support for maintenance and care. From 18 to 21, parents owe a contribution for the childs living costs and study. In special circumstances, such as a disability that prevents self-support, maintenance can sometimes continue beyond 21, but this is not automatic and depends on the facts and the law.

Can we agree our own amount

Yes. Parents can agree on child support in a parenting plan or settlement. If submitted to and approved by the court, it becomes enforceable. Agreements that deviate from the guidelines should still be reasonable and focused on the childs interests. A lawyer or mediator can help make sure the agreement is clear and realistic.

What if the other parent does not pay

You can ask LBIO to collect on your behalf or instruct a bailiff. You will need an enforceable title, such as a court decision or a notarial deed. LBIO can usually pursue arrears that are not older than five years. If there is no enforceable title yet, you may need to ask the court for one.

Does child support increase automatically with inflation

Normally yes. Each year on 1 January, a statutory index percentage is applied unless the parties have explicitly waived indexation in writing. Make sure to update the amount annually and keep records of notices and payments.

Can the amount be changed later

Yes, if there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as loss of income, a new job, changed care schedule, a new child in either household, or major changes in housing costs. You can try to agree on a new amount. If agreement is not possible, a court can revise the order. File promptly, because changes usually take effect from the filing date.

What counts as income in the calculation

All regular income is considered, including salary, bonuses, holiday allowance, benefits, and in many cases company car advantages or other perks. For self-employed parents, average business profits and realistic forecasts are used. The court may impute income if a parent is voluntarily underemployed or conceals income.

How does shared care affect support

If the non-resident parent provides regular care, a care discount is applied. The discount level depends on the number of care days per week or the agreed schedule. The idea is that direct costs paid during care time reduce the monthly transfer amount, while keeping the childs needs covered overall.

What if one parent lives abroad

The Netherlands is part of international and European arrangements that allow recognition, establishment, and enforcement of maintenance across borders. A Central Authority within the Ministry of Justice and Security can assist with cross-border cases. A lawyer experienced in international family law can guide you through the correct route.

Is child support tax-deductible or taxable

As a rule, child support is not tax-deductible for the payer and not taxable for the recipient. This has been the case since national tax changes took effect several years ago. Always verify your specific situation with a tax adviser if you have unusual circumstances.

Additional Resources

Rechtbank Noord-Nederland, location Assen. District court handling family law cases for the Drenthe region, including Ruinen and the municipality of De Wolden.

Landelijk Bureau Inning Onderhoudsbijdragen. National office that assists with the collection and enforcement of child maintenance when payments are not made.

Juridisch Loket. Free initial legal information and guidance on family law and maintenance for residents with questions about their rights and next steps.

Raad voor Rechtsbijstand. Dutch Legal Aid Board for subsidized legal aid and mediation based on income and assets.

Mediatorsfederatie Nederland. Register of certified mediators, including family mediators who can help parents reach balanced agreements.

Vereniging van Familie- en Erfrecht Advocaten Scheidingsmediators. Professional association of family law specialists and divorce mediators.

Nibud. National institute for family finance that provides the expenditure data used in child cost tables referenced in child support calculations.

Gemeente De Wolden. Local municipality for Ruinen that can provide information on youth services, social support, and local facilities for families.

Ministerie van Justitie en Veiligheid, Centrale Autoriteit Internationale Onderhoudszaken. Central Authority that helps with cross-border maintenance requests.

Sociale Verzekeringsbank and Belastingdienst Toeslagen. Agencies for child benefit and child-related budget that may interact with your overall family finances.

Next Steps

Collect key documents. Gather proof of income for both parents, recent tax assessments, payslips, benefit statements, business accounts if self-employed, monthly budgets, care schedules, and any existing agreements or court orders.

Consider mediation first. If relations allow, speak with a certified family mediator to reach a practical parenting plan and fair child support. Mediation is often faster and less costly than a court case.

Seek tailored legal advice. Consult a family law lawyer familiar with Dutch child support guidelines and local court practice in Assen. Ask about likely outcomes, indexation, enforcement, and how to draft an enforceable agreement.

File for interim support if needed. If you need help quickly, your lawyer can request provisional measures so that a temporary amount is set while the main case is pending.

Make the agreement enforceable. Ensure your parenting plan and support agreement are approved by the court or recorded in a notarial deed with an enforcement clause. This will allow LBIO or a bailiff to act if payment stops.

Keep records and review. Keep a clear record of all payments and communications. Update the amount each 1 January for indexation. Review the arrangement if income or care schedules change significantly, and seek a modification when needed.

Important note. This guide provides general information about child support in the Netherlands. It is not legal advice. For advice on your situation in Ruinen, consult a qualified Dutch family law professional.