Establishing care and contact arrangements

Getting divorced or breaking up? Are you considering how best to arrange care for your children? How important is your child's voice in a care arrangement? And what are your rights as a parent? It is time to seek expert legal advice if these questions are on your mind. We are ready to help you find the right solution for your family.

What does a care arrangement involve?

A care arrangement is how parents share the care and upbringing of their children after a divorce. It includes agreements about where the child will live, how often the child will spend time with the other parent, and who will be responsible for certain decisions, such as schooling and medical care.

Important topics in care arrangements

  • Domicile and residence: Which parent provides the permanent residence for the child?
  • Parenting plan: Agreements on the division of care responsibilities, school choice, medical care and holidays.
  • Communication: How do both parents stay informed about the child's well-being?
  • Input from the child: As children get older, their opinions may play a greater role in decisions.

Care arrangement versus access arrangement

There is an important difference between a care arrangement and a contact arrangement. A care arrangement is a shared responsibility for the care and upbringing of a child. Both parents are responsible for raising the child, with specific arrangements for days and times. In a visitation arrangement, one parent is the primary caregiver and the other parent has the right to fixed times to see the child.

Your child deserves the best care

The best interest of the child is always the first consideration when making or modifying a parenting arrangement. We will be your guide in the development of an arrangement that protects both your child's rights and your rights as a parent. Do you have questions? Or would you like to modify an existing care arrangement? Contact our team of family law attorneys for expert advice.
Sandra Verburgt
Questions about this area of law?
Please contact Sandra Verburgt

Team family law

Sandra Verburgt

Attorney at law/partner

Mariska Schreuders

Attorney at law

Petra Beishuizen

Attorney at law/mediator/partner

Fabian Buizer

Advocaat

The latest

Up to the minute

Thursday 1 June 2023

Global Parents’ Day

Global Parents’ Day

Today, on International Parents' Day, my blog pays tribute to parents worldwide for the great efforts they make in the interests of their children. For parents who have reached constructive agreements with each other in a divorce situation, I take an extra deep bow. For parents in or after divorce who have not yet found a sustainable solution, I share three tips with a worked example based on the model of connecting communication to take advantage of.

 

Friday 30 December 2022

Indexation 2023

Indexation 2023

Each year, under the law, partner and child support contributions are increased by a percentage to be announced annually, known as statutory indexation, unless otherwise agreed.

Friday 2 December 2022

Compound families: the maintenance obligation of stepparents

Compound families: the maintenance obligation of stepparents

According to Dutch law, as a stepparent you are obliged to contribute to the costs of your stepchild(ren). When are you legally a stepparent and when are you maintenance obligated for your stepchild(ren)? And is the stepparent's maintenance obligation the same as that of the legal/biological parent(s)? These questions are answered in this blog.