Trema Norms in Family Law for Rijswijk
The Trema norms are guidelines used by judges at the Rechtbank Rijswijk and lawyers in the Netherlands to determine spousal support after a divorce or dissolution of a registered partnership. They promote a balanced income distribution, tailored to the recipient's needs and the payer's financial capacity. In Rijswijk, where many couples deal with divorce cases, these norms ensure predictable and fair decisions, even though they are not legally binding.
What are Trema Norms?
Named after the Trema Foundation, which provides expertise in mediation and family law, the Trema norms offer a set of calculation principles for spousal support. They aim for consistency in rulings from the Rechtbank Rijswijk. Unlike child support, where the 'Van Mourik Broekman norms' apply stricter rules, the Trema norms are flexible to accommodate individual circumstances of former partners in the Rijswijk area.
They take into account factors such as income levels, local living costs in Rijswijk, childcare, and additional expenses. This way, the partner with the lower income maintains a reasonable standard of living without overly burdening the payer. The norms are updated periodically to reflect current factors like inflation and regional developments, which are relevant for residents of the Municipality of Rijswijk.
Legal Basis of the Trema Norms
The Trema norms build on the Dutch Civil Code (BW), particularly Book 1 on family law. Central to this is Article 1:157 BW, which requires a fair income distribution for spousal support. Judges in Rijswijk must balance the recipient's reasonable expenses against the payer's ability to pay.
The norms themselves are not law, but the Supreme Court supports them in judgments (for example, the ruling of April 20, 2012, ECLI:NL:HR:2012:BW1994) to ensure uniform application. They are supplemented by the National Expert Group on Spousal Support (LEP). Key related provisions include Article 1:158 BW (duration of support) and Article 1:160 BW (adjustments). At the Rechtbank Rijswijk, they serve as a reference point, allowing deviations for unique cases such as local property or health issues—hence the value of seeking advice from Het Juridisch Loket Rijswijk.
How Do the Trema Norms Work?
The Trema calculation follows a step-by-step approach. Start with net incomes, including taxes and benefits from the Municipality of Rijswijk. Then, create a 'base amount' by equalizing incomes, with a buffer for savings and unexpected costs (often 6% of income).
- Step 1: Determine incomes. Including salary, benefits, child support, and business profits, adjusted to Rijswijk circumstances.
- Step 2: Estimate needs. The recipient gets a basic need based on local rental or mortgage costs in Rijswijk and daily expenses. Standard tables provide values for utilities and more.
- Step 3: Establish capacity to pay. The payer retains enough for their own living expenses. Support may reach up to 70% of their capacity, ensuring a fair share of costs.
- Step 4: Apply corrections. Reduce for child-related expenses and add special costs, such as healthcare in the Rijswijk region.
Tools like 'Rechtspraak Alimentatie' or online calculators simplify this process. For accurate results in complex Rijswijk cases, consult a local lawyer through Het Juridisch Loket Rijswijk.
Practical Examples of Trema Norms in Rijswijk
Suppose partner A earns €3,000 net and partner B earns €1,500 in Rijswijk. After divorce, the Trema method levels incomes to an average of €2,250, implying €750 in support for B. If B faces higher Rijswijk rental costs, this could rise to €900, considering local property prices.
With two children living with B, child support comes first (about €400 per child), reducing spousal support. If A has a mortgage in Rijswijk, their capacity to pay drops, leading to €600 in support. These examples show the practical and adaptable nature of the norms for local situations.
| Aspect | Trema Norms (Spousal) | Van Mourik Norms (Children) |
|---|---|---|
| Binding? | No, guideline | Yes, legally prescribed |
| Focus | Fair income distribution | Child's needs central |
| Duration | Max. 5 years (depending on marriage length) | Until 21 years or independence |
| Calculation | 70% of capacity | Pro rata incomes |
Rights and Obligations under Trema Norms in Rijswijk
The recipient has the right to a reasonable standard of living, similar to the marriage level, as long as the payer can afford it. The payer must share transparent income details; failing to do so may result in back payments or criminal penalties. In Rijswijk, you can initiate proceedings at the Rechtbank Rijswijk and get free advice on your options and obligations at Het Juridisch Loket Rijswijk.
Veelgestelde vragen
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