In Rijswijk, under the jurisdiction of the District Court of The Hague, the parental maintenance obligation ends automatically on the child's 21st birthday. Article 1:395a of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) does, however, provide exceptions for study delay or exceptional circumstances, relevant for many young adults in this region.
Automatic Termination in Rijswijk
Without court intervention, the obligation ceases precisely on the 21st birthday. Parents from Rijswijk are then no longer required to contribute, unless an ongoing judgment of the District Court of The Hague provides otherwise. Local family courts handle this efficiently for residents of Rijswijk and surrounding neighborhoods such as Innen and Oud-Rijswijk.
Exceptions at the District Court of The Hague
Due to illness, disability, or unforeseen study delay – such as delay caused by the nearby TU Delft – the court may extend the obligation. In co-parenting situations, which are common in Rijswijk, this applies equally to both parents. The court strictly examines evidence of dependency.
Transition to Partner Maintenance
After 21, young people in Rijswijk can claim partner maintenance if they cohabit with a studying partner, for example in a rental property near the station. A petition with proof of income and joint household needs is required at the District Court of The Hague.
Practical example: Recently, the court in The Hague extended the parental contribution for a young person from Rijswijk until age 23 due to COVID-related delay in a Hague-based education program, at €350 per month. Advice for Rijswijk residents: File disputes in time with the family court to secure payments and use local legal assistance via the Juridisch Loket in the region.