Imagine a young expat family living in a canal house on the Oude Delft who face a divorce shortly after moving to the city. As of 1 January 2026, revised TREMA guidelines apply to child and spousal maintenance. The Expert Group on Maintenance Standards adjusts the tables annually on the basis of inflation and tax changes. Three specific adjustments may be relevant for divorces that have not yet been finalised and for ongoing proceedings.
The role of TREMA in practice
TREMA is not a statutory scheme but a calculation method used by virtually all family-law judges. The Expert Group, which includes judges, lawyers and researchers, establishes the tables. Any departure must always be substantiated with facts from the case file.
Social assistance norm 2026: higher minimum amount
The guaranteed disposable minimum for the paying parent rises by approximately 3.8 per cent. For a single person without children this amounts to around € 1,230 per month. Consequently, anyone with a low income retains less to pay maintenance.
Adjustments to the non-ability-to-pay margin
The portion of income that is disregarded for the purpose of calculating ability to pay is also being revised:
- Maximum notional housing costs: from € 870 to € 905
- Health-insurance premium: from € 165 to € 178
- Non-avoidable costs for children: from € 89 to € 96
For middle-income earners this frequently results in a slightly lower maintenance outcome.
Reduction of the income-dependent combination tax credit
The tax credit that is particularly relevant in shared-parenting arrangements falls from € 2,694 to € 2,481. Working parents with young children in a 50/50 arrangement will see their net disposable income change, which directly affects the ability-to-pay calculation.
Applications for revision at the Rechtbank Den Haag
A change of more than ten per cent in net disposable income may constitute grounds for adjustment under article 1:401 BW. Residents of Delft submit such a request to the Rechtbank Den Haag. The Arslan office at Phoenixstraat 16 can provide supporting calculations.
Ongoing proceedings
Cases that have not yet been concluded at the beginning of 2026 are almost always assessed according to the new tables. An up-to-date calculation prevents maintenance amounts from remaining outdated for years.
Professional calculations versus online tools
Only recognised maintenance lawyers or mediators may produce binding calculations. Tools such as ALIMOREN provide merely an indication and carry no weight in proceedings before the court.