In Delft, the parental maintenance obligation for young adults ends automatically at the age of 21, but local circumstances such as study delay at TU Delft provide important exceptions. Article 1:395a of the Dutch Civil Code provides for extension in case of study delay or other factors, relevant for many residents of Delft.
Automatic Lapse in Delft
Without intervention by the District Court of The Hague (Delft branch), the obligation stops precisely on the 21st birthday. Parents from neighbourhoods such as Poptahof or Vrijenhoek no longer need to contribute, unless an ongoing court order provides otherwise.
Exceptions Specific to Delft
In case of illness, disability or unforeseen study delay – think of corona-related dropouts in TU Delft courses – the court may extend the obligation. In shared parenting situations, which are common in Delft families, this applies equally to both parents. Local lawyers report that many requests succeed due to the high study costs in the region.
Transition to Partner Spousal Support in Delft
After 21 years, a young adult in Delft may claim partner spousal support if cohabiting with a studying partner, for example in a student house on Phoenixstraat. This requires a petition to the District Court of The Hague with proof of joint household needs and income overview.
Practice example from Delft: The court recently extended the parental contribution to 23 years for a TU Delft student with corona-related delay, at €350 monthly due to rising rents in the city. Advice: File disputes in time with the Delft court to secure payments and use local legal assistance via the Juridisch Loket in Delft.