Dear IamExpat member,

Marriage: A Moment of Joy – With Legal Implications

Getting married is one of life’s most joyful and meaningful milestones. It is a celebration of love and commitment. Yet, alongside this emotional bond, marriage also carries important legal consequences, particularly regarding matrimonial property law.

Matrimonial property law governs how assets are owned and managed during the marriage, and how they are divided in case of divorce or death. Couples can often choose which legal system they want to apply to their marriage. However, this choice is, from a Dutch perspective, not unlimited, it depends the spouses’ nationalities and their habitual residences.

If both spouses live in the Netherlands but wish to apply a foreign legal system and arrange their prenuptial agreement abroad, they must be aware that Dutch formal requirements still apply. This means that, in order for the choice of law and the prenuptial agreement to be valid and recognized in the Netherlands, certain Dutch legal formalities must be met.

Olenznotarissen has extensive experience advising international couples in these matters. We can assist in verifying whether your prenuptial agreement meets the Dutch requirements, or help ensure your agreement is properly executed according to Dutch law. This way, you can focus on your future together, with peace of mind that your legal foundation is solid.

Need assistance?