International family law

Specialist knowledge in international family law

In recent years, large numbers of people have come to live in the Netherlands, in particular from our neighbouring countries Germany, Belgium and Great Britain. This international trend also has consequences for relationships. An increasing number of Dutch people have a partner from another country. But, marriages of foreign spouses residing in the Netherlands can also end in divorce.

Our firm not only has the expertise that is needed to guide you through this legal labyrinth, but we also have worldwide connections with other law firms and family law experts. Sandra Verburgt frequently advises foreign colleagues on Dutch Family Law issues and has also provided expert opinions on Dutch Family Law, produced in courts in England and the USA.

We can help you with:

• Independent advice on pre-nuptial agreements and parenting plans (in particular relevant when you are resident in an English-speaking country or intend to marry in an English-speaking country)
• Advising your foreign lawyer on Dutch family law
• International divorces (both divorces before the Dutch Courts with an international element and cross-border divorces, when litigation takes place in multiple countries)
• Disputes on international relocation
• Disputes on international contact and care arrangements
• International maintenance disputes and advice on the collection and enforcement of maintenance orders
• Disputes on the division and settlement of matrimonial property regimes
• Adoption
• Parentage
• Mediation
• Collaborative divorce

Based in The Hague, Delissen Martens international expertise meets an important need of the international community throughout the Netherlands. Our International Family Law team has extensive experience and handles many family law cases with an international character. Moreover, the lawyers are affiliated with the IAFL (International Academy of Family Lawyers), where Sandra Verburgt sits on the Executive Committee as IAFL Vice President and also holds the position of Vice President of the European Chapter.