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How do I divorce in the Netherlands without an expensive lawyer?

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How do I divorce in the Netherlands without an expensive lawyer?

Short answer: In the Netherlands you cannot divorce entirely without an advocate, but the route through mediation combined with a toevoeging (subsidised legal aid) is the cheapest standard option for most couples. If you and your partner cooperate, a single shared advocate plus a mediator typically costs only the court fee plus a small personal contribution.

Why an advocate is unavoidable

Dutch family-procedure law requires that a divorce request (verzoekschrift tot echtscheiding) be filed by an advocate. This is confirmed by the Rechtspraak: a gemeenschappelijk verzoek must be submitted digitally via Mijn Rechtspraak, signed in with an advocatenpas (Rechtspraak - gemeenschappelijk verzoek echtscheiding digitaal). You can submit alone or jointly with your partner, but never without a lawyer.

Your options, in order of cost

RouteTypical cost (2026)When it fits
Mediation + joint advocateAdvocate fee (shared) + €170.50 p.p. court feeYou both agree, have no minor children, simple assets
Mediation with toevoeging€69 or €138 own contribution + €46.50 p.p. court feeLow income, eligible for legal aid
Joint advocate with toevoegingLow own contribution + €46.50 p.p. court feeLow income, but a contested file
Two separate advocatesHourly fee each + court feeConflicted divorce, unequal bargaining

Sources for figures: Rechtspraak griffierechten; Raad voor Rechtsbijstand - inkomens- en vermogensnormen 2026.

Under the Wet op de rechtsbijstand (BWBR0006368) the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand grants toevoegingen when income and assets stay under the thresholds:

SituationMaximum verzamelinkomen (fiscal year 2024)Maximum equity in box 3 (2024)
Living alone in 2026€35,400€36,952
Married, cohabiting, or single-parent in 2026€50,000€73,952

If you qualify, mediation for divorce costs you a one-off own contribution of €69 or €138 (depending on income bracket), and the court fee drops to €46.50 per person (Juridisch Loket - toevoeging advocaat of mediator; RvR 2026).

Step-by-step typical route

  1. Free orientation. Phone or visit the Juridisch Loket (0900-8020). They give a first legal assessment (rechtshulp) at no cost, as provided in art. 7 lid 2 Wrb.
  2. Mediation. Engage a mediator registered at the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand (MfN-accredited). Together you draft an echtscheidingsconvenant (settlement) and, if applicable, an ouderschapsplan (parenting plan) - which the law requires when minor children are involved (art. 1:247a BW; the required content is set out in art. 815 lid 2-3 Rv).
  3. Joint filing. One advocate (often working with the mediator) submits a gemeenschappelijk verzoekschrift via Mijn Rechtspraak. The court generally rules on paper without a hearing (Rechtspraak).
  4. Court fee. Pay the griffierecht (€170.50 p.p., or €46.50 p.p. with toevoeging).
  5. Registration. The divorce becomes final once the beschikking is registered in the burgerlijke stand.
Mermaid diagram could not be rendered
flowchart TD
    A[Considering divorce] --> B{Can you cooperate with ex-partner?}
    B -- "Yes" --> C{Are there minor children?}
    B -- "No" --> H[Eenzijdig verzoek: own advocate required, more costly]
    C -- "No" --> D[Mediation → joint advocate → gemeenschappelijk verzoek]
    C -- "Yes" --> D
    D --> E{Income below €35,400 / €50,000?}
    E -- "Yes" --> F[Apply for toevoeging: €69-€138 + €46.50 court fee]
    E -- "No" --> G[Pay advocate fee + €170.50 court fee]
    F --> I[Free Juridisch Loket for first advice]
    G --> I

When cheaper options do not work

  • Partner refuses to cooperate or cannot be reached. You must then file a unilateral request under art. 1:151 BW. You cannot use the cheaper joint-procedure route, and a mediator has no power to bind your partner.
  • You are over the income/asset threshold. With a fiscal income above €35,400 (single) or €50,000 (with partner), the Raad voor Rechtsbijstand refuses the toevoeging. You then pay the advocate's hourly rate in full (the resultaatsbeoordeling can also withdraw a toevoeging if your settlement yields more than ~€19,239.50 net per person - RvR).
  • Disputes over children or assets. If mediation fails on gezag, omgang, alimentatie or asset division, a contested court procedure becomes unavoidable, often with two advocates.
  • International elements. Cross-border issues (different nationality, foreign marriage, habitual residence abroad) require extra documents and almost always legal assistance.

Common pitfalls

  • The ouderschapsplan is not optional when children under 18 are involved (art. 1:247a BW; art. 815 lid 2 Rv). Submitting an incomplete plan is grounds for the court to refuse the divorce.
  • A echtscheidingsconvenant is not strictly required by law on a gemeenschappelijk request, but you will need one to record division of assets, partneralimentatie (which under art. 1:157 BW by default ends after half the marriage's duration, max 5 years) and any pensioenverevening.
  • Mediation agreements that are not filed at court have no direct enforceable effect; only the beschikking of the court finalises the divorce (art. 1:158 BW).

Sources

This article describes the general framework under current Dutch law and is not a substitute for advice on your specific situation. If your case involves children, complex assets, international elements or domestic violence, consult a lawyer or mediator for a tailored assessment.