Acknowledgement of Paternity by Foreign Husband of Dutch Child

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Auteur: Carla Simmelink

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Thomas, who lives in Australia, finds out after 10 years that he has a son in the Netherlands. He tries to have his paternity legally acknowledged, despite the boy’s mother not agreeing.

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Acknowledgement of Paternity by Foreign Husband of Dutch Child

Acknowledgment of paternity by a foreign father of a Dutch child: The story of Thomas

Thomas, an Australian man, discovered after ten years that he has a son in the Netherlands. He wanted to have his paternity officially recognized, but the mother of his son strongly opposed it. Despite this resistance, Thomas decided to take legal action with the help of Simmelink Lawyers.

The situation of Thomas: An unexpected discovery

Thomas lives in Australia with his family. Years ago, he had a brief relationship with Lisanne, a Dutch woman, when they both lived in Japan. Shortly after, Lisanne moved to the Netherlands without leaving any contact information. Ten years later, Thomas learns through a relative that he has a son, Simon, who lives in the Netherlands.

Thomas wants to have his paternity officially recognized, but Lisanne is opposed to it. Determined to assert his legal rights, he turns to Simmelink Advocaten for help.

What can Thomas do?

Since Simon lives in the Netherlands, the Dutch court has jurisdiction to rule on this case. Even though Lisanne does not agree with the acknowledgment, Thomas can, through a Dutch lawyer, submit a request to the court for substitute consent to have his paternity recognized.

During the procedure, a special curator is appointed to represent Simon’s interests, and a DNA test confirms that Thomas is the biological father. The court ultimately decides that it is in Simon’s best interest for Thomas to be recognized as his father, despite Lisanne’s objections.

What can you do if you are in a similar situation?

At Simmelink Lawyers, we assist clients like Thomas with complex, cross-border family law issues. Are you also facing a similar situation involving recognition of paternity abroad? If so, please contact us for a no-obligation consultation.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is general and not intended as specific legal advice. We strive for correctness, but offer no guarantees. For tailored advice, you should contact a lawyer. Reading this page does not create a lawyer-client relationship with Simmelink Advocaten.