In brief
- A divorce lawyer in Enschede guides the entire divorce procedure, from the petition at the Overijssel District Court to the settlement agreement and parenting plan.
- A divorce in the Enschede region is handled by the Overijssel District Court, Almelo location.
- In cases of international separation – for example, if one of the parties has German or another foreign nationality – questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court and applicable law play an independent role.
- Simmelink Lawyers is located in Maarssen and assists clients from Enschede and the surrounding area entirely remotely via video call.
- Depending on the circumstances, consultation, mediation, or legal proceedings are possible routes.
What does a divorce lawyer in Enschede do?
A divorce lawyer in Enschede guides the legal settlement of a divorce or the termination of a registered partnership. This includes the court procedure, drafting a divorce settlement agreement and, when there are minor children, the parenting plan.
The lawyer analyzes the client’s legal position, inventories the asset situation, and maps out the choices to be made: consultation, mediation, or proceedings. Based on that analysis, it is determined which approach suits the specific situation.
In the case of a divorce, a petition must in many cases be submitted to the competent court. A lawyer is legally required for this.
Which court handles a divorce in Enschede?
A divorce in the Enschede region is handled by the Overijssel District Court, Almelo location. The Overijssel District Court has jurisdiction over cases from the municipalities of Enschede, Hengelo, Almelo, Oldenzaal, and surrounding municipalities.
The petition is submitted to the civil department of this court. The lawyer handles the filing and monitors the procedural deadlines. If parties submit a joint petition, one lawyer may suffice in some cases. In the case of a unilateral petition, representation by one’s own lawyer is required.
The court fees at the Overijssel District Court in 2026 are €341 for a divorce procedure.
Divorcing with children in Enschede
In a divorce involving minor children, a parenting plan is legally required. The parenting plan establishes agreements regarding custody, the distribution of care tasks, residency arrangements, and child alimony.
The judge assesses the parenting plan for completeness and checks whether the interests of the child have been sufficiently considered. If the plan is missing or the agreements are incomplete, the court may stay the proceedings.
More about divorcing with children, the parenting plan, and the calculation of child alimony.
Division of assets upon divorce
In a divorce, the joint assets must be divided. What qualifies for this depends on the matrimonial property regime: community of property or prenuptial agreements.
In the Enschede and Twente region, divorce files regularly involve situations with a private business, real estate, or a pension that forms part of the division. Depending on the circumstances, additional analysis is needed to determine the value and division in a legally correct manner.
More about assets and the home upon divorce, including the treatment of businesses and pensions.
International separation in the Enschede region
Enschede is located in the border region with Germany and hosts the University of Twente, which ensures an international population. In divorces where one of the parties has a foreign nationality or works abroad, additional legal questions arise.
The central questions in an international separation are: which court has jurisdiction and which law applies to the division of assets, the parenting plan, or alimony? Jurisdiction in European cases is determined by the Brussels II-ter Regulation. The applicable law follows from the Rome III Regulation and the Hague Protocol.
Depending on the place of residence of the parties, their nationalities, and any treaties, the Dutch court may have jurisdiction, even if one of the parties lives in Germany or elsewhere. This always requires an individual assessment.
More about international family law and jurisdictional questions in cross-border divorces.
Mediation for divorce in Enschede
Not every divorce leads to a court procedure. In many cases, a collaborative divorce or mediation is a viable route, especially when parties are willing to reach agreements together.
In mediation, a neutral mediator acts to guide parties in making agreements. The lawyer can fulfill an advisory role in that process. More about mediation for divorce and the advantages and disadvantages compared to a court procedure.
Why Simmelink Lawyers assists clients in Enschede
Simmelink Lawyers assists clients in Enschede and the Twente region with all family law issues: from a simple collaborative divorce to complex asset division and international files. In this, we distinguish ourselves from broad law firms that offer family law as one of many practice areas.
Simmelink Lawyers works exclusively within family law, inheritance law, and international family law. All four lawyers and both legal experts at the firm are daily engaged with these areas of law. This leads to a depth of expertise that a generalist firm structurally finds difficult to offer, especially in complex files involving assets, children, or an international component.
Enschede’s border location plays a role in this. German-Dutch situations occur regularly in the region, in both divorce and inheritance law. Simmelink Lawyers has specific knowledge of the applicable European regulations and also assists clients for whom the border is not the main theme, but is a factor in the file.
For clients in Enschede and the surrounding area, guidance takes place entirely via video call. You do not need to travel to Maarssen for an intake or advisory meeting. All document exchange takes place digitally. A personal meeting at the office is possible for those who prefer it.
Simmelink Lawyers also assists clients from Hengelo, Almelo, and surrounding municipalities in Twente. Guidance takes place via video call, regardless of the client’s place of residence in the region.
Based on Real Cases
Divorce with cross-border asset situation
A client from Enschede had acquired real estate in Germany during the marriage. Upon divorce, the question arose as to which law applied to the division of those assets and whether the Dutch court had jurisdiction. After analyzing the nationalities and places of residence of the parties and the applicable European regulations, the jurisdictional question was answered and a division was drafted that was enforceable in both countries.
Parenting plan with changing care situation
In a case involving minor children, the parties disagreed on the distribution of care tasks and the residency arrangement. After a legal analysis of the relevant factors, including the school location, residential distance, and the existing bond of each child with both parents, a parenting plan was drafted and subsequently approved by the 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.
In complex financial matters or an international component, a specialized lawyer is important.
We strive for legally correct, practically feasible agreements that give you predictability and peace of mind.
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 divorce in the Enschede region is handled by the Overijssel District Court, Almelo location. The petition is submitted to the civil department. Representation by a lawyer is legally required for the procedure.
Yes. Simmelink Lawyers assists clients from Enschede and the Twente region entirely remotely via video call. An intake or advisory meeting can be scheduled without travel time to the office in Maarssen.
In many cases, yes. Whether the Dutch court has jurisdiction depends on the habitual residence of the parties at the time the petition is filed. Based on the Brussels II-ter Regulation, the Dutch court may have jurisdiction if the petitioner lives in the Netherlands, even if the other party resides in Germany. Which law applies to the division of assets and alimony always requires an individual assessment.
Everything can be done via video call. Intake, advisory meetings, procedural guidance, and document exchange take place entirely digitally. You do not need to travel to the office in Maarssen. Clients who still prefer a personal meeting are welcome at the office, but it is not a requirement.
The costs of a divorce lawyer depend on the complexity of the case and the estimated time spent. In addition to the lawyer’s fee, a fixed court fee of €341 (2026) applies. During an intake, the lawyer will discuss the expected costs based on your specific situation. More information via our rates.
During an intake interview, we initiate legal representation and a file is opened. During a consultation, you discuss your legal situation at an hourly rate, without any further follow-up work. After your registration, our secretariat will contact you within one business day.
Guidance for your divorce in Enschede
Simmelink Lawyers assists clients from Enschede and the Twente region with divorce, parenting plans, alimony, and the division of assets. Consultations are available via video call. Contact us via /contact/ or schedule an advisory meeting or intake directly.
More about our working method and the difference between an advisory meeting and an intake.
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.
Contact Us
During an introductory meeting, we will discuss your situation, legal position, and possible next steps.
The conversation is confidential and aimed at providing an overview and careful guidance.
Or contact us by phone via: 030 – 30 787 32
