In Rotterdam, parents who do not pay maintenance contributions for children between 18 and 21 years are often compelled through the court. The law provides students and young adults in the port city with powerful instruments to enforce their rights, particularly relevant for the many students at Hogeschool Rotterdam and Erasmus University.
LBIO and Coercive Measures in Rotterdam Practice
Via the Landelijke Bureaus Inning Onderhoudsbijdragen (LBIO), a young adult in Rotterdam can enforce a payment order. In case of persistent non-payment, attachment follows on salary, benefits or bank accounts. Local bailiffs in Rotterdam Centrum or IJsselmonde handle this quickly, with support from the Rotterdam Juridisch Loket for free advice.
Legal Proceedings at the Rotterdam District Court
Start with a formal notice of default by registered mail. Follow up with a writ of summons at the Rechtbank Rotterdam. The judge may award a penalty payment, such as €50 per day of delay with a maximum of €10,000. In Rotterdam cases, success is often seen with timely filing, partly due to the efficient hearing scheduling at Jan van Hanswijckstraat.
Practical Tips for Rotterdam Youth
Document all communication, messages and payments carefully. In case of urgency: apply for an interim measure at the Rotterdam cantonal judge. Parents with financial problems due to, for example, port unemployment can apply for reduction via the Raad voor de Kinderbescherming or LBIO. In 2023, LBIO collected €150 million nationwide for students, a significant portion for Rotterdam youth. Success factor: act timely to prevent limitation after 5 years, and utilise local helplines such as the Juridisch Spreekuur in Delfshaven.