In brief
A family law lawyer assists you with legal issues arising from family relationships, such as divorce, parental authority over children, alimony, and the division of assets.
- In a divorce, the lawyer guides the court proceedings, the settlement agreement, and the arrangements regarding children, alimony, and assets. More about divorce and family law.
- If there are minor children, a parenting plan is mandatory. The lawyer reviews the agreements and advises on parental authority, residency, and child alimony. More about the parenting plan.
- Alimony can be modified if circumstances change. A lawyer assesses whether a modification is feasible and guides the procedure. More about modifying alimony.
- In international situations, additional questions arise regarding the jurisdiction of the court and the applicable law. More about international family law.
- For those already involved in proceedings elsewhere, a second opinion is sometimes the first step. More about a second opinion on family law.
When should you engage a family law lawyer?
In many cases, people only seek legal guidance when a situation has reached a deadlock or when the other party has engaged a lawyer. However, early advice provides a better overview and more control over the possible routes.
A family law lawyer is advisable in the following situations:
- You are considering a divorce or have entered into a conflict with the other party regarding the settlement
- You want to have agreements regarding children, parental authority, or alimony legally reviewed or recorded
- Existing agreements are no longer appropriate due to changed circumstances
- International aspects are involved, such as a partner with a foreign nationality or assets abroad
- You have doubts about your position in ongoing proceedings at another firm
During a consultation, we map out your legal situation and discuss the possible routes, without any further work following unless you so desire.
Divorce and separation
A divorce is processed through the court. A lawyer is mandatory. Depending on the situation, there are several routes: a joint petition where both partners engage a lawyer together, a unilateral petition where each has their own lawyer, or mediation for disputes where consultation is still possible.
The lawyer guides the procedure, drafts or reviews the divorce settlement agreement, and considers the long-term legal consequences. If children are involved, a parenting plan is mandatory.
You can read more about the routes and steps on the divorce page.
Mediator or lawyer: what suits your situation?
Whether mediation is the right choice depends on the degree of agreement and the complexity of the situation. Mediation is suitable when communication is still possible and parties are willing to reach agreements together. A lawyer is advisable when interests diverge significantly, complex legal issues are involved, or when you want independent guidance.
In practice, both routes are not always exclusive: a lawyer can provide input alongside a mediation process or give a second opinion on proposals made during mediation. Depending on the circumstances, a combination is also possible. You can read more about the difference on the page mediator or lawyer in divorce.
Alimony, parenting plan, and parental authority
After a divorce, agreements regarding child alimony or spousal alimony may need revision if circumstances change. Consider income changes, a new family, or a child getting older. A lawyer assesses whether modifying alimony is feasible and guides the procedure.
The same applies to arrangements regarding children: modifying a parenting plan is possible if the situation warrants it. The lawyer reviews whether the grounds are present and what the legal consequences are. This is general information and does not constitute individual legal advice.
International Family Law
When your situation involves multiple countries, due to nationality, place of residence, or assets abroad, additional rules apply regarding the jurisdiction of the court and the applicable law. This requires specialized knowledge of European regulations and international treaties.
Simmelink Lawyers provides guidance in international divorces, child abduction, relocation, and cross-border asset issues. More about international family law.
Second opinion and appeal
Are you already involved in proceedings at another firm and do you have doubts about the course of action? A second opinion provides you with an independent legal assessment of your position and the possible routes, without you having to switch lawyers immediately.
If you disagree with a ruling, an appeal may be an option. The deadlines for this are short, and the grounds are determined by law. Timely advice is essential.
At the office in Maarssen or remotely
Simmelink Lawyers is located in Maarssen and assists clients from the Utrecht region at the office or entirely remotely via secure video calling. For clients outside the region or from abroad, remote guidance is a full-fledged option.
For clients from Utrecht and the surrounding area, a family law lawyer in Utrecht is available to guide the proceedings at the Central Netherlands District Court.
Our Attorneys at Law
The Simmelink Lawyers team specializes in family law, International family law, and inheritance law.
The lawyers combine legal expertise with international experience.
Clients are guided by one dedicated lawyer who oversees the entire process and communicates discreetly.
A specialized lawyer is essential in complex financial situations or international components.
Our goal: legally correct, enforceable agreements that bring peace and clarity.
Carla Simmelink – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law and Inheritance Law
Family Law Attorney, International Family Law and Inheritance Law
Valerie Lingg – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Eva Zaunbrecher-Boschloo – Family Law Attorney, International Family Law
Lawyer at Law (International) Family Law
Clients are guided by a dedicated lawyer who oversees the entire file and communicates discreetly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A lawyer represents the interests of one party and guides the legal procedure. A mediator guides both parties jointly in finding solutions, without being biased. In many cases, a lawyer and mediator work alongside each other. Depending on the circumstances, one route or the other may better suit the situation.
A consultation is useful if you want to know what your legal position is, which routes are possible, and what the consequences are of the choices you are considering. You are not obliged to take further steps after a consultation. More about the consultation.
Yes, in many cases, alimony can be modified if circumstances have changed significantly. Whether that is the case and what the legal options are depends on the specific facts. This is general information and does not constitute individual legal advice. More about modifying alimony.
Yes. A parenting plan can be modified if circumstances have changed or if it no longer aligns with practice. In many cases, parents can reach an adjustment through mutual consultation. More about modifying a parenting plan.
Simmelink Lawyers works on an hourly basis. The costs depend on the complexity of the case and the scope of the work. The expected work will be discussed in an initial consultation. More about rates and costs.
Trust and quality
Simmelink Lawyers is affiliated with the Dutch Bar Association.
Read more about our reviews or see how we work via our working method.
