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International divorce for expats

Internationals are often uncertain of their rights and options when it comes to getting divorced in another country. What are the possibilities? Which court has jurisdiction? Which law will apply? And what are the potential impacts on finances, living arrangements, residence status and future emigration?

Our team of divorce lawyers are accustomed to helping expats navigate an international divorce in the Netherlands. They can advise you on the issues that matter most in your situation – whether that is getting the best deal for your children, partner alimony, the division of matrimonial property or reaching an amicable agreement on the settlement of the divorce.

As a multidisciplinary law firm, we can also offer in-house assistance with related topics such as pension law, immigration law, business law, real estate law and inheritance law.

Ask our experts a question about getting divorced
  • Can I get divorced in the Netherlands?

    If you live in the Netherlands, the answer in most cases is yes, you can probably get divorced here in the Netherlands, regardless of your nationality. If you are currently not living in the Netherlands and do not have the Dutch nationality, it may be that you cannot get a divorce in the Netherlands.  A lawyer can give you more certainty about this.

    If you can get a divorce in the Netherlands, the divorce itself will take place under Dutch law. This means that you do not need a reason to divorce. If one of the spouses wants a divorce, it will be pronounced.

    The fact that Dutch law applies to the divorce itself does not mean that Dutch law applies to all the different topics of the divorce. It may be that Dutch law applies to the divorce, but that the law of another country applies to, for instance, maintenance or the division of the matrimonial property. Being able to get divorced here just means the Dutch courts can rule on your divorce – not that Dutch law will apply to any aspect of it.

  • Which law applies?

    If you can get a divorce in the Netherlands, the next step is to determine which law applies to each of the various subjects that are dealt with during a divorce. These various subjects include the divorce itself, children, maintenance, alimony, pensions and the division of assets.

    If you have made (legal) agreements before or during the marriage about which law applies to the subjects then, in principle, these agreements apply. If you have not made such agreements, it must be determined for each subject which law applies. In the Netherlands, we look at the applicable treaties for this.

  • Why the legal system matters for divorce (IPR)

    The legal system matters because the financial consequences of marriage and divorce differ per country.

    If Dutch law applies to your matrimonial property and you did not arrange anything before or during your marriage (you did not make a prenuptial agreement), then if you were married after 1 January 2018, it means that you were married in a limited community of property. Everything you and your spouse acquired during the marriage (except inheritances and gifts under exclusion clause) should be divided in half in the event of divorce.

    If a foreign law applies to the matrimonial property, the financial consequences in the event of divorce may differ from the 50-50 division under Dutch law. The same goes for partner alimony and child maintenance. It may be that not Dutch law, but a foreign law applies to determining maintenance. As a result, you may not be entitled to maintenance or have only a limited right under foreign law.

    Our lawyers can help you determine which law applies and provide insight into the consequences this has for you.

Meet our team of divorce lawyers

Antoine de Werd

Antoine de Werd

Dylan Bertsch

Dylan Bertsch

Lise-Milou Lagerwerf

Lise-Milou Lagerwerf

Lucienne Diaz Murillo

Lucienne Diaz Murillo

Marcella Verwoerd

Marcella Verwoerd

Marieke Morshuis

Marieke Morshuis

Ryanne van Manen

Ryanne van Manen

Sophie Vermeule

Sophie Vermeule

Stephanie Hasselaar-Veltkamp GMW advocaten

Stephanie Hasselaar-Veltkamp

Susan Meijler

Susan Meijler

Thijs Sarneel

Thijs Sarneel

We worked with 45 legal systems last year to help our family law clients achieve the best possible solution.

45 legal systems

If you have an international marriage and are considering getting a divorce in the Netherlands, our lawyers can help determine which law applies to the various subjects of the divorce. With the experience and knowledge we have in-house, we can help you settle the consequences of divorce and find solutions. Thanks to our many years of experience with international divorces, we know what to look out for.

On an annual basis, our office deals with dozens of different legal systems from all over the world. In 2020, for example, we worked with 45 legal systems. As a result, we have the necessary experience in-house about the content and consequences of the various legal systems.

If advice must be sought on foreign law, we also have an extensive circle of international legal partners that can provide us with advice.

How can we help you?

What clients say about us

“Expertise to navigate a complex divorce”

“I had a complicated divorce because I was an expat working in Norway. My ex-husband was unemployed and was going on holidays around the globe for around four months a year. It was good to have Ryanne van Manen and later also Dylan Bertsch as my lawyers. They are professionals and have the expertise to navigate through the legalities of both countries for my situation. They were also willing to put on extra hours and were very patient in explaining things to me. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, the result of the court case was in my favour. I highly recommend them! ”

Anonymous

“Keeps her promise”

“Susan Meijler | GMW lawyers was my attorney in a very nasty divorce. I still remember the first day we met, we made agreements and she promised me things. I can now say that she is someone who will go through the fire for her client. She has empathy and believe it or not she does what she promises and keeps her promise. Susan we my children and I want to thank you again for your professionalism, empathy, helpfulness and patience.”

AnonymousGoogle review

“Extraordinarily special”

“I ended up in a divorce. Father of 2 children… I was put with my back to the wall by the mother of the children. I ended up at GMW lawyers because of my uncle who had good experiences with GMW. After the first meeting with Dylan, I looked to the future again. Our first meeting / meeting gave me clarity where I stood. What a professional! I cannot say otherwise. The tone and commitment to use everything in the interest of the children. Extraordinarily special… Thinking in terms of solutions and not problems. Besides the business aspect, he was also there as a personal support for me. I prefer not to speak to Dylan when it is not necessary, but I prefer to speak to him when necessary.”

AnonymousGoogle review

“A lawyer I could fully trust”

“Dylan dealt my divorce, representing both me and my ex-husband. He was very professional and thorough with preparing the covenant, as a result our divorce was very quickly handled, we didn’t need to be present at court and it was a smooth process. It was very pleasant working with him and to have a lawyer that I could fully trust. I would highly recommend working with him and with GMW lawyers in general.”

Anonymous

“Outstanding support during tough time”

“I worked with Ryanne van Manen from GMW lawyers for two years on a complex divorce case which involved legislation in the Netherlands, UK and USA. She was outstanding. Her meticulous attention to detail, confidence in court and strategy whilst handling the case were flawless, in my opinion and I’m hugely grateful for that. Above all, she was empathetic to my struggles through the case and showed great interpersonal skills to keep me going through what felt like such a negative period.”

Anonymous

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