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

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

Eligibility for subsidised legal aid (toevoeging) in 2026

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

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.

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

• Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 1, artikelen 1:150, 1:151, 1:154, 1:157, 1:158, 1:247, 1:247a, 1:251, 1:251a - wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002656
• Wet op de rechtsbijstand, artikelen 1, 7, 7a - wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0006368
• Wetboek van Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering, artikel 815 - via Rechtspraak - ouderschapsplan procedure
• Raad voor Rechtsbijstand, Inkomen, vermogen en eigen bijdrage 2026 - rvr.org/@20455
• Het Juridisch Loket, Echtscheiding aanvragen - juridischloket.nl
• De Rechtspraak, Kosten procedure echtscheiding - rechtspraak.nl

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.