In brief
What is child support?
Child support is the financial contribution that one parent pays to the other for the costs of care and upbringing of the children.
In the Netherlands, both parents have a maintenance obligation. This means they must contribute to their child’s well-being according to their financial capacity, even after a divorce or the end of a relationship.
In many cases, child support is recorded in the parenting plan or, if parents cannot reach an agreement together, determined by the court.
When do you pay child support?
Child support is applicable as soon as parents separate and there are minor children.
The contribution can be agreed upon mutually, calculated during mediation, or established through the court.
Key principles:
- the best interests of the child always come first
- both parents have a maintenance obligation
- the amount depends on financial capacity and need
- agreements apply until the child is 18 (and often until 21 in the case of study costs)
Depending on the circumstances, child support may also be applicable in cases of co-parenting.
How is child support determined?
The amount of child support is usually calculated based on the Trema standards: guidelines that take into account the income of both parents, housing costs, and the division of care.
The following factors play an important role:
- income of both parents
- number of children and their ages
- division of care or co-parenting arrangement
- extraordinary costs, such as childcare or school fees
Parents can reach agreements together. When that is not possible, a judge can determine the maintenance based on the available data.
You can also use our maintenance calculator to get an initial indication of the potential contribution. This calculation is for orientation purposes and does not replace legal advice.
Use our child support calculator to get an initial indication of the potential contribution
Modifying or recalculating child support
In practice, changes often occur in financial or personal situations. This might include a higher or lower income, a new job, relocation, or a changed division of care.
In such cases, it may be wise to have the maintenance reassessed. This can be done:
- by mutual agreement
- through a mediation process
- via a request to the court for a modification
In many cases, a lawyer helps to assess whether a modification is legally substantiated.
See also: modifying child support.
What does the court do regarding child support?
When parents do not reach an agreement, the court establishes the child support.
The judge considers:
- the needs of the child
- the financial capacity of both parents
- the division of care and upbringing tasks
The judge often also assesses whether the agreements in the parenting plan are reasonable and feasible.
Depending on the circumstances, the judge may later decide to modify a maintenance amount.
How can a lawyer assist you?
A family law attorney helps you to legally record agreements on child support correctly, or to properly substantiate a modification.
At Simmelink Lawyers, we guide parents in:
- calculating a reasonable maintenance amount
- drafting or adjusting a parenting plan
- consultation and mediation
- court proceedings
We work meticulously, with a focus on the best interests of the child and your peace of mind during this phase.
Example from practice
In one case, we assisted a parent with a child support issue where the financial situation had changed significantly after the divorce. One parent’s income had decreased due to a change in their work situation, while the care arrangement for the children remained the same.
A key part of the guidance was carefully mapping out the current financial capacity of both parents and the needs of the children. This involved looking at the applicable maintenance standards and the impact of the changed circumstances on the previously established contribution.
Based on the collected data, it became clear which legal route was appropriate in this situation and what steps were required for it.
Content reviewed by the team at Simmelink Lawyers, specialized in family law.
Our Attorneys at Law
At Simmelink Lawyers, you work with lawyers specialized in family law, international family law, and inheritance law. We work intensively together on solutions that are legally sound and do personal justice to your situation.
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.
Would you like to know how to formally apply for child support? Read more on the applying for maintenance page.
Are you still exploring your options regarding child support? Read more about the consultation meeting at Simmelink Lawyers, a first step to discuss your situation without immediately starting a procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, until the child turns 18. For children who are studying or not yet self-sufficient, this can be extended to 21 years. This is general information, not individual legal advice.
Yes, in many cases a modification can be requested if income or the care arrangement changes. Depending on the circumstances, the court assesses whether an adjustment is reasonable.
The maintenance is aligned with the division of care and the income of both parents. A recalculation is often made using the Trema standards as a starting point.
The parent receiving the maintenance can take collection measures, for example through the LBIO. This takes place according to legal procedures and under the supervision of the court.
No, but in many cases mediation helps to reach workable agreements without a court procedure.
