Contact arrangement is not being complied with: what steps can you take?
What would you like help with?
Could a child be unsafe or has contact suddenly been stopped completely? Seek personal legal advice promptly. In immediate danger, call 112 or Veilig Thuis.
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Even without parental authority, a parent may have a right to contact and information. If arrangements are not carried out, a factual and child-focused approach is important.
General information about Dutch law · Review date not recorded · How we work
On this page
Record missed arrangements factually
Note the date, agreed time, what actually happened and which messages were sent. Keep communication businesslike and avoid accusations; they usually do not help resolve the issue or support your case in court.
Make a concrete proposal to restore contact
Ask why the arrangement did not go ahead and propose a feasible make-up time. Address recurring problems concerning transport, times or handover directly and record new arrangements in writing.
Assistance or proceedings
If consultation does not work, support services or mediation may be appropriate. As a last resort, a lawyer can ask the court to establish or amend a care or contact arrangement, or to promote compliance.
Your checklist
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 / 5 · Where do you stand with this item?
Parenting plan, court order or written arrangements
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 / 5 · 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.
- Parenting plan, court order or written arrangements
- Factual list of missed visits or other arranged contact
- Messages and concrete proposals to restore contact
- Impact on the child and practical obstacles
- Parental authority details and previous assistance
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a right to contact without parental authority?
A legal parent without parental authority retains, in principle, a right to contact and information. The child also has a right to contact, unless a compelling exception applies.
Can I start interim relief proceedings immediately?
In urgent cases this may sometimes be possible, but a lawyer must assess whether the situation is sufficiently urgent and which claim is appropriate.