Family law
Family law encompasses all legal aspects of human relationships in the broadest sense, from before the cradle to beyond the grave. Family law is primarily about people. Our family law lawyers are not only legal specialists but are knowledgeable about human relationships and have a heart for the cause. That’s a good thing because no person or situation is the same. We deliver tailor-made solutions, and aim to offer you a safe and ethical environment in which we can work together on the best solutions – solutions you can rely on.
OUR FAMILY LAW EXPERTISE
Divorce
A divorce is a significant event in a person’s life, which our family law lawyers understand all too well. But it is also the start of a new life. In order to make a fresh start, it is important to end the relationship responsibly. After all, without a good ending, there can be no good beginning.
Divorce mediation
We strongly favour mediation to resolve conflicts outside the courtroom. We do everything possible to help you and your former partner reach the same position so that you can continue your lives harmoniously based on mutual agreements. Litigation is often a lengthy process and can exaggerate differences. It takes time, energy and money, which we want to prevent. You often have it hard enough already.
International family law
A divorce can have international aspects, such as if you and your partner do not have the same nationality or if you got married abroad and then moved to live in the country where you were married (or elsewhere). It is also possible that you are working as an ex-pat in the Netherlands, or you are a Dutch ex-pat working abroad. If you are going to get a divorce, you want the legal side of it to be properly arranged.
We consider all the emotions, the legal aspects and the interests of you and any children
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what our clients say about us
Kimberley Collée's expert tips and advice helped me understand a voluntary departure arrangement with my employer. She also conducted a legal review of the associated agreement. Additionally, with her help, I was able to have the agreement adjusted and clarified to prevent any misunderstandings. The entire process went very smoothly and to my complete satisfaction.
private
Excellent support during several divorce related court proceedings. Ciska Elsinga has successfully accompanied me through several court proceedings. She is empathetic, effective and has in-depth expertise. The cooperation and communication with her was excellent.
PRIVATE
Support in a prolonged family matter. Truly involved, hardworking and empathetic. As a client, I felt seen and appreciated. Charlotte always prepared thoroughly for hearings, bringing extensive knowledge to the table — a quality that is not only pleasant for a client but also of great value in the courtroom. A wonderful combination of a pleasant personality and a diligent professional.
Private
It is always challenging to be involved as an outsider in a situation where many facts are crucial to resolving a difficult and long-standing case as quickly as possible. However, Birgitte seems to have no trouble with that at all. She is able to structure both the factual/business aspects and the emotional components effectively, allowing her to get started quickly and take control of the process. That is very reassuring and instills confidence. Thank you for the great collaboration, Birgitte!
private
I needed a lawyer to resolve a deadlocked situation—removing my ex-partner from joint liability for our mortgage. Thanks to Charlotte Houben’s expertise, skill, thorough consultations, empathy, decisiveness, and speed, it was successfully achieved. I had a very positive experience and was helped with a difficult case where others saw no solution. If you have a complex case, I would definitely recommend her.
Private
My experience with Ciska Elsinga and RWV was excellent! I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding legal assistance you provided in my recent case. Your professionalism, dedication, and expertise truly made a difference. Thanks to your guidance, I always felt well-informed and supported, which gave me great reassurance during this challenging time. Your determination and commitment led to a positive outcome for which I am incredibly grateful.
Private
Nadine van der Slot knows our organization well, is highly knowledgeable and engaged, thinks proactively, delves into the situation, and always provides a clear and realistic overview of the possibilities and risks.
AB Zuid-Holland
No matter the issue, I always call Nadine van der Slot. She consistently provides us with solid advice, is reliable and personable, and communicates clearly. Her strategy is bold but highly effective. We have complete trust in her expertise.
Leeflang Cleaning & Transport BV
Sylvia Timmermans: We are absolutely thrilled with the result. Nadine, Kimberley and Jeroen incorporated all our wishes into the Legal Design documents. The feedback from employees has been very positive. They appreciate that the documents are concise, clear, and well-structured—making them engaging to read.
Ciska Elsinga supported me during a mediation process concerning a divorce. I had a very positive experience with her. Our collaboration was pleasant, as Ciska is legally decisive while also being attentive to the human side and relationships. With her quick and efficient service, she is a true pillar of support!
private
Mr. Dekkers assisted us very accurately with the settlement of our previous lease agreement (multi-tenant business building) and the associated service cost reconciliation. His advice and insights were spot on. He also helped us negotiate a new agreement.
Guest parent agency De Wâlden
At RWV Advocaten, Charlotte Houben provided me with excellent support in handling my divorce, offering both understanding and support. Communication was clear, and all agreements were honored.
Private
Despite the difficult time, Ciska Elsinga assisted me well in finalizing my divorce. Due to certain circumstances, my divorce was more complex, partly because of an international aspect. That’s why I was looking for a family law lawyer with sufficient experience. Ciska came across as highly competent and gave me honest advice. My conversations with her were pleasant, and she thought along with me to find the best possible solutions.
Private
Thanks to Harjo and Kelly, we opted for bankruptcy in time. It was not an easy decision, but ultimately it was the best choice for both the company and the staff. Because of them, we knew exactly what to do in this difficult situation.
Jeroen and Jasper were quick to make themselves extremely clear, and advised me not to roll out the system in the way I had envisaged as the risks were simply too great. Although I was naturally disappointed at first, I am glad to have received such open and honest advice.
Matthy, Harjo and Jasper were very pleasant to work with and responded rapidly to changes. Thanks in part to their expertise and strategic advice, we were able to resolve the dispute and achieve a very satisfactory result. As a copyright specialist, Jasper provided us with a rock-solid legal foundation. This had a major influence on the final outcome.
Olympus Nederland
Kelly was the perfect partner for reviewing our franchise agreements. Her experience and specialist knowledge of franchise law enabled her to discuss the franchise aspects of our business in both practical and legal terms. The communication between us was very pleasant, both for us and for our franchisees.
Very occasionally, you run into an opportunity you simply cannot afford to ignore. In that case, it’s a matter of not hesitating and acting quickly and decisively. Thanks to Matthy's knowledge and experience, plus the backing of English documentation and a network of foreign contacts, Matthy and his team proved to be the ideal advisers to help us complete this deal. Read more
It was a long process during which Matthy was available for consultation at any time, always striking the right tone. His experience in the legal and financial world meant that he had a full grasp of the financial implications of the transaction. At the same time, his role also involved managing a team of bankers, financial advisers and tax lawyers. Read more
Why should you contact our family law lawyers?
We advise on, mediate and litigate matters relating to marriage, cohabitation, divorce, births and deaths.
Our family law lawyers are known for their successful results. However, we are only really proud if you say afterwards that we have supported you well during a difficult episode in your life. After all, it’s about the person behind the case. That is why we work together with you to decide what the most desired outcome is.
Unfortunately, all too often, a case is not just an isolated matter. For example, the whole situation of your divorce can cause problems at work or with your company. We can ask the lawyers from our other departments (in this example, Employment Law and Corporate Law) for advice. This prevents the accumulation of problems.
WHAT ELSE CAN OUR FAMILY LAW LAWYERS DO FOR YOU?
Obviously, our family law lawyers don’t only handle divorce. You can also contact us for other family law matters, such as:
- adoption
- spousal support
- receivership, administration and mentorship
- custody and access
- child protection measures
- name law
- establishment and denial of paternity
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MAKE AN APPOINTMENT NOW FOR A FREE INTRODUCTORY MEETING IN LEIDEN
If you want to discuss a family law issue with our lawyers or if you would like more information about the process or costs of divorce proceedings, for example, you are more than welcome to come and get to know us.
You can give us a call (+31 71-7502205) or use the form. The initial meeting takes a maximum of 30 minutes, and we use this time to inform you about the divorce process.
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Frequently asked questions
Werkt RWV met gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand of toevoeging?
Voldoen jullie aan de voorwaarden, dan betaalt de overheid een vast bedrag voor de kosten van de familierechtadvocaat. En betalen jullie alleen een eigen bijdrage. Dit heet gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand of toevoeging. Je leest er alles over op www.rechtsbijstand.nl.
RWV Advocaten werkt niet met dat systeem. Wil je daar toch gebruik van maken, neem dan contact op met het Juridisch Loket (0900-8020). Deze instantie verwijst je naar een familierechtadvocaat die wel met gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand werkt.
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