Divorce Lawyer in Eindhoven

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As a divorce lawyer in Eindhoven, Law & More assists international families in the Brainport region who are separating, including couples who came to the Netherlands for work in technology, research or manufacturing. We arrange the divorce petition, the parenting plan and the division of income, shares and pension, in English or Dutch, from our office at Marconilaan 13. The first step is a free introductory meeting in Eindhoven or by video call.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

a joint or unilateral divorce petition at the Oost-Brabant District Court (Rechtbank Oost-Brabant);
checking whether a Dutch court has jurisdiction when one spouse plans to return to their home country;
a parenting plan (ouderschapsplan) that fits a family with roots in two or more countries;
dividing a salary package with bonuses, share plans or stock options;
pension rights built up in the Netherlands and abroad;
child and spousal maintenance with high or fluctuating incomes;
a partner whose residence permit depends on the other spouse's job;
an appeal at the Court of Appeal in 's-Hertogenbosch.

Which court handles a divorce in Eindhoven?

If you or your spouse live in Eindhoven or the surrounding region, your divorce is usually dealt with by the Oost-Brabant District Court. An appeal goes to the Court of Appeal in 's-Hertogenbosch (Gerechtshof 's-Hertogenbosch) and must be filed within three months of the decision.

For international couples, the first question is whether a Dutch court may decide at all. Within the EU, the Brussels II-ter Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1111) has applied since 1 August 2022. In most Brainport families, both spouses habitually live in the Netherlands, which gives the Dutch court jurisdiction. If one spouse has already moved back, other grounds may still apply, such as the habitual residence of the respondent or one year of residence of the spouse who files.

For the children, the court of the country where the child habitually lives has jurisdiction. Our guide on which Dutch court has jurisdiction over children explains this. A Dutch court in principle applies Dutch law to the divorce itself.

What if one of you wants to return to the home country?

A spouse may move abroad, but may not take the children along without the other parent's consent or the court's permission. Moving first can also change which court has jurisdiction, so take advice before anyone relocates.

Many families in the region came to Eindhoven for one job or one assignment. When the marriage ends, one parent often wants to go back to their home country. With joint parental authority, that parent needs the other parent's consent to move the children's residence abroad. Without consent, the parent must ask the court for substitute permission under Article 1:253a of the Dutch Civil Code. You can read the article on wetten.overheid.nl (in Dutch).

The court weighs the reasons for the move, the children's ties with both parents and how contact will work across the distance. A move without permission can amount to international child abduction. See moving abroad during your divorce.

If courts in two EU countries have jurisdiction, the court seized first takes priority, so filing first in a home country can steer the case.

How are a salary package, shares and pension divided?

That depends first on which matrimonial property regime applies to you, which is not always Dutch law. Under Dutch law, for marriages since 1 January 2018, only property acquired during the marriage falls in the community, with exceptions such as gifts and inheritances.

The limited community of property follows from Article 1:94 of the Dutch Civil Code. For couples who married abroad or moved here after their wedding, foreign law may govern the property under EU Regulation 2016/1103 or the Hague Convention of 1978.

In tech and research households, the difficult items are often not the house but the salary package: annual bonuses, share plans, restricted stock and options that vest after the divorce. We map which part was earned during the marriage, how it is valued and who bears the risk of a lower share price. Tax consequences require a tax adviser; we do not give tax advice.

Pension rights built up during the marriage are in principle shared. Pensions from foreign schemes need separate attention. See our guide on pension upon divorce.

What happens to the partner's residence permit?

If your residence permit is based on your relationship with a spouse who works here, for example as a highly skilled migrant, the divorce ends the purpose of your stay. You must report the change to the IND, and you may need another permit to stay.

A possible route is a permit based on your own job, for example as a highly skilled migrant with your own employer. Your children's permits are often linked to the parent who works, which makes the residence question part of the parenting plan. Read more in divorce and your residence permit and our guide to the partner permit of a highly skilled migrant.

How does working with Law & More work?

Introductory meeting: free of charge, at our Eindhoven office or by video call. We discuss your family, nationalities, income and residence status.
Advice and cost estimate: we check jurisdiction, applicable law and the property regime, and explain the route and the expected costs.
Approach and negotiation: we draft the parenting plan and divorce settlement (echtscheidingsconvenant) and negotiate with your spouse or their lawyer.
Procedure or completion: we file the petition at the Oost-Brabant District Court, represent you at the hearing and arrange registration of the divorce.

What does a divorce lawyer in Eindhoven cost?

We work on an hourly rate that we agree with you in advance. The rate for a lawyer is 250 to 350 euros excluding VAT, and for a partner 300 to 400 euros excluding VAT.

The introductory meeting is free of charge. A one-off advice meeting without further assistance costs 300 euros including VAT. External costs, such as the court fee (griffierecht), translations and valuation reports, are charged separately. Legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not work on that basis. See also the cost of a divorce in the Netherlands.

Who handles your case?

Divorces in Eindhoven are handled by our family law lawyers Aylin Acar, Michelle Marjanovic and Jade Vaneerdewegh. You can find them on our team page. For a general overview of Dutch divorce law, see our divorce lawyer page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a divorce lawyer in Eindhoven if we agree on everything?

Yes. A Dutch divorce petition must always be filed by a lawyer. If you agree on the children, maintenance and property, one lawyer can file a joint petition for both of you, which keeps costs down. The lawyer then acts for both spouses. If a real conflict arises later, each spouse will need their own lawyer.

Can my spouse take the children back to our home country?

Not without your consent if you share parental authority. Without consent, your spouse must first obtain substitute permission from the court under Article 1:253a of the Dutch Civil Code. The court weighs the reasons for the move and the children's interests. Removing the children without permission can be international child abduction under the Hague Convention of 1980.

Are unvested shares or stock options part of the division?

Possibly. Under Dutch law, rights earned during the marriage can fall into the community, even if they vest later. The plan rules, the vesting schedule and the applicable property regime decide how much is shared and when. Often, couples agree to divide the proceeds when the shares or options actually pay out, rather than guessing a value today.

Is a Dutch divorce valid in my home country?

Within the EU, except Denmark, a Dutch divorce is recognised without a special procedure under the Brussels II-ter Regulation. Outside the EU, it depends on the law of your home country. Some countries require registration with a local court or consulate. We advise you to check this before filing, so that you are not still married on paper elsewhere.

Can I stay in the Netherlands after the divorce if my permit depends on my spouse?

Not automatically. The divorce ends the purpose of a permit based on your relationship, and the IND can withdraw it. You may qualify for another permit, for example through your own job with a recognised sponsor. Check the options before the divorce becomes final, so that you can apply in time.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know within one working day what your options are. Use our contact form, call +31 40 369 06 80 or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.