How do I apply for Dutch care mentorship?
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
A court-appointed mentor helps an adult with personal care decisions. Financial management requires separate protection where necessary.
On this page
1. Choose suitable protection
Mentorship concerns care, nursing, treatment and guidance, not money. It can be temporary. The person retains legal capacity; a mentor cannot make their will, donor registration or euthanasia declaration. Consider an existing living will and lighter assistance. Financial administration may be added; curatorship is more restrictive.
2. Identify applicant and mentor
Applicants can include the adult, partner, blood relatives through the fourth degree, a parent or guardian before adulthood, existing curator or financial administrator, care institution or public prosecutor under the relevant route. Propose one or two suitable mentors; the judge usually follows the person's preference. A mentor cannot themselves be under curatorship or mentorship, or manage/work for the person's care institution. Professionals serving three or more people face additional quality requirements.
3. Gather statements and evidence
Obtain a signed willingness statement from each candidate. Include any living will and evidence of the person's condition, for example from a doctor, care provider, social worker or family. Gather agreement statements from the partner and adult children, otherwise parents and adult siblings; identify any financial administrator. Disagreement does not prevent an application: explain it. Institutions may need company-register and authority documents; professional mentors a plan.
4. File and plan costs
Use Mijn CBM with your own DigiD, or post/deliver the official signed form and attachments to the court for the person's residence. Check local filing instructions. No lawyer is compulsory for this application. Pay the court invoice, normally within four weeks of filing; late payment can prevent consideration without cancelling the fee. A combined administration/mentorship application attracts one court fee. The person pays any annual mentor remuneration; ask the municipality about special assistance if unaffordable. Two mentors share remuneration; private and professional rates differ.
5. Prepare for the hearing
The private hearing is usually within two months, not guaranteed. Follow the summons and report medical or other attendance difficulties beforehand; an applicant's or subject's absence can lead to refusal. An interested party may send a signed response with case number, details, reasons and evidence. Extra attendees need permission. Discuss necessity, preferences and suitability. The decision arrives by post or Mijn CBM; appointment starts the day after dispatch. An appeal within three months of the decision requires a lawyer.
6. Follow supervision and changes
The mentor keeps personal contact, supports dealings with care providers, checks arrangements and involves the person, respecting beliefs and culture. Notify the supervising court of address changes, death, prolonged inability to act or a wish to stop; request changes, extension or extra protection promptly. The judge may require evaluation. Professionals report annually; private mentors follow the court's specific directions. A sufficiently explained discharge or termination request can serve as a final report. Discuss complaints with the mentor first, then the court if unresolved; promptly report a mentor's death so a successor can be appointed.
Can a mentor also control my money and very personal decisions?
Not solely through mentorship. Money management may require financial administration. You retain legal capacity; a mentor cannot make your will or acknowledge a child for you. Their role concerns care and must involve you as much as possible.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 6 · Where do you stand with this item?
Care difficulties, wishes and lighter alternatives
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 6 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Care difficulties, wishes and lighter alternatives
- Eligible applicant and suitable candidate(s)
- Willingness statements and interested parties' responses
- Condition evidence, living will and professional documents
- Official form or Mijn CBM, attachments and receipt
- Court fee, remuneration, summons and appeal deadline
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Rechtspraak · Mentorschap ↗Rechtspraak · Aanvragen ↗Rechtspraak · Kosten ↗Rechtspraak · Betrokkene ↗Rechtspraak · Taken mentor ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.