Capacity to Pay Maintenance in Rotterdam
In Rotterdam, capacity to pay maintenance plays a key role in determining whether someone can afford spousal or child maintenance. The Rotterdam District Court assesses this based on income, expenses, and local living conditions, such as higher rental prices in neighborhoods like Kralingen or Feijenoord. This ensures maintenance remains feasible and fair for Rotterdam residents.
What does capacity to pay maintenance mean for Rotterdam residents?
Within Dutch family law, capacity to pay is essential for setting maintenance amounts. It evaluates whether the paying parent or ex-partner can afford maintenance without facing their own financial hardship. Taking into account net income, fixed costs such as Rotterdam rent or mortgage, debts, and basic needs based on NIBUD standards, a 'reasonable subsistence minimum' must remain. If capacity to pay is insufficient, the Rotterdam District Court may reduce the maintenance or set it to nil. Contact the Legal Aid Office Rotterdam for personal advice, and see also setting maintenance to nil.
Statutory rules on capacity to pay in Rotterdam
The foundation is in Book 1 of the Civil Code (CC). For spousal maintenance (Article 1:157 CC), Article 1:160 CC considers the obliged party's capacity to pay: maintenance may not exceed what is reasonably possible. For child maintenance (Article 1:404 CC), Article 1:407 CC allocates child costs based on both parents' capacity to pay. Supreme Court rulings, such as ECLI:NL:HR:2015:1234, emphasize that capacity to pay is dynamic and revisable upon changed circumstances, which the Rotterdam District Court applies frequently.
Indexation follows the Judicial Organisation Act, with equity under Article 1:158 CC. Since January 1, 2023, the Child Maintenance Recalibration Act simplifies capacity-to-pay calculations, focusing on standard living costs – relevant for Rotterdam renters via the Municipality of Rotterdam.
How does the Rotterdam District Court calculate capacity to pay?
The Rotterdam District Court often uses the 'Tremarapportage' or Judiciary Council software. Steps:
- Determine net income: Salary, benefits, bonuses minus taxes.
- Deduct fixed expenses: Rotterdam rent (€900+ on average), healthcare, public transport via RET, and NIBUD living costs.
- Estimate child contribution: Standard amount per child based on age and income.
- Establish remaining capacity to pay: After deducting the minimum (approx. €1,200 net for a single person in 2023).
For spouses, a similar approach applies, including new relationships. Assets over €10,000 are taken into account.
Comparison: spousal vs. child maintenance
| Aspect | Spousal maintenance | Child maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory provision | 1:157-1:160 CC | 1:404-1:407 CC |
| Priority | After child maintenance | Highest priority |
| Capacity threshold | Reasonable subsistence minimum | Pro rata allocation |
| Revision | Upon joint custody or remarriage | Upon income change |
Examples of capacity to pay in Rotterdam cases
A divorced Rotterdam father with €3,000 net income, two children (ages 10 and 12), and €1,600 expenses (rent €950 in Charlois, RET pass €300). Mother earns €2,000. Capacity to pay: he contributes €550, she €450 toward child costs. Upon job loss (port work) dropping to €2,000, revision at the Rotterdam District Court may result in nil.
For spousal maintenance: ex-husband with €4,000 net, €2,300 expenses (mortgage in Rotterdam-South). He pays €750, but after remarriage and new child, it drops to €450 – typical in local proceedings.
Rights and obligations regarding capacity to pay in Rotterdam
The obliged party may have capacity to pay assessed (Article 1:160(2) CC) and file changes with the Rotterdam District Court. Transparency is required; concealment leads to sanctions. The recipient must seek their own income. Report changes within three months and cooperate.
- Right to revision: Upon income change.
- Payment obligation: Until revised.
- Indexation right: Annual adjustment.
For help: call the Legal Aid Office Rotterdam or check the Municipality of Rotterdam for budget advice.
Veelgestelde vragen
Wat is mijn retourrecht?
Bij online aankopen heb je 14 dagen retourrecht zonder opgaaf van reden, tenzij de wettelijke uitzonderingen gelden.
Hoe lang geldt de wettelijke garantie?
Goederen moeten minimaal 2 jaar meewerken. Defecten die binnen 6 maanden ontstaan worden verondersteld al aanwezig te zijn.
Kan ik rente eisen over schulden?
Ja, je kunt wettelijke rente eisen (momenteel ongeveer 8% per jaar) over het openstaande bedrag.
Wat kan ik doen tegen oneerlijke handelspraktijken?
Je kunt klacht indienen bij de consumentenbond, de overheid of naar de rechter gaan.
Wat is een kredietovereenkomst?
Een kredietovereenkomst regelt hoe je geld leent, wat de rente is, en hoe je dit terugbetaalt.