Living together and finance

As complex as international divorce is, it can be even more complicated for cohabitants. Different rules apply to cohabitants than to married or registered partners. The legal protection for cohabitants may also vary from country to country. In the Netherlands, for example, there is no specific legislation for unregistered cohabitants. For disputes over joint property, these cohabitants rely on ordinary property law. Also, in principle, an unregistered cohabitant has no automatic right to compensation for an investment in, for example, the ex-partner's house, if the ex-partner is not a co-owner of the house. Unregistered cohabitants are also not entitled to partner alimony, and in many cases are not entitled to a pension, unless the specific pension plan allows this under certain circumstances. In the Netherlands, registered partners have the same rights as married couples.
 
In some other countries, unregistered partners who live together for a long time may have rights to property settlement or spousal support. If you live abroad and separate, it is important to check whether this applies to you. We have an extensive international network of family law specialists and can check your specific situation.
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.