Capacity to Pay Maintenance in Rijswijk
In Rijswijk, capacity to pay maintenance plays a key role in determining spousal or child maintenance. The Rijswijk District Court assesses residents' financial capacity based on income, housing costs, and personal circumstances. This ensures a fair and feasible maintenance obligation, tailored to local realities such as average rental prices in Rijswijk.
What does capacity to pay mean for maintenance in Rijswijk?
In Dutch family law, capacity to pay is essential for setting maintenance at the Rijswijk District Court. It evaluates whether someone can afford maintenance without jeopardizing their own basic needs. Taking into account net income, fixed costs such as mortgage or rent in Rijswijk, debts, and NIBUD standards for living expenses, a 'reasonable subsistence minimum' must remain. This applies strictly to both child maintenance and spousal maintenance. If capacity is insufficient, the court may reduce the contribution or set it at nil. Rijswijk residents can read more about setting maintenance at nil in extreme cases.
Legal rules on capacity to pay at the Rijswijk District Court
The foundation is in Book 1 of the Dutch Civil Code (DCC). For spousal maintenance (Article 1:157 DCC), Article 1:160 DCC weighs the paying party's capacity: maintenance must not exceed reasonable means. For child maintenance (Article 1:404 DCC), Article 1:407 DCC allocates costs in proportion to both parents' capacity. Supreme Court rulings, such as ECLI:NL:HR:2015:1234, emphasize that capacity is dynamic and subject to review upon changed circumstances. The Child Maintenance Recalibration Act (effective 1 January 2023) simplifies calculations with standardized housing costs, relevant to Rijswijk case law. Indexation follows the Judicial Organization Act, with equity under Article 1:158 DCC.
How does the Rijswijk District Court calculate capacity to pay?
Judges in Rijswijk use standards like the Tremar report or Judicial Council software. Step-by-step process:
- Determine net income: Salary, benefits minus taxes.
- Deduct fixed expenses: Local rent (average €900 in Rijswijk), healthcare, transport, and NIBUD subsistence minimum.
- Estimate child contribution: Standardized per child based on age and income.
- Establish remaining capacity: After deducting minimum (approx. €1,200 net for a single person in 2023).
For spouses, own relationships and assets (savings > €10,000) are factored in. The Rijswijk Legal Aid Desk assists with preparation.
Comparison: spousal vs. child maintenance
| Aspect | Spousal maintenance | Child maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Legal provision | 1:157-1:160 DCC | 1:404-1:407 DCC |
| Priority | After child maintenance | Highest priority |
| Capacity threshold | Reasonable subsistence minimum | Pro rata allocation |
| Review | Upon joint custody or remarriage | Upon income changes |
Examples of capacity calculations for Rijswijk residents
A divorced father in Rijswijk with €3,000 net income and two children (ages 10 and 12) has €1,600 in expenses (rent €850, etc.). With the mother's €2,000 income, he contributes €550 to the children, she €450. In case of job loss reducing income to €2,000, review at the Rijswijk District Court may lead to a reduction.
For spousal maintenance: Ex-husband with €4,000 net and €2,300 expenses can pay €750. Remarriage and a new child reduces this to €450, in line with Rijswijk standards.
Rights and obligations regarding capacity to pay in Rijswijk
Maintenance payers may submit changes to the Rijswijk District Court (Article 1:160(2) DCC) but must disclose finances. Recipients must seek their own income. Report changes within three months. The Municipality of Rijswijk offers debt assistance, useful for capacity issues.
- Right to review: Upon income changes.
- Payment duty: Until modified.
- Indexation: Annually, via court.
Contact the Rijswijk Legal Aid Desk for free tailored 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.