Joint custody for divorced parents

May 04, 2010 7:14 AM

Divorced parents will no longer have to petition a judge to get joint custody of their children, when parliament makes yet another amendment to the family laws of the Netherlands Antilles.

Debate on this change takes place in the Central Committee today, Tuesday, at 2:00pm.

Parliament President Pedro Atacho explained that this amendment is necessary to bring the Antilles in line with the laws on family in the Netherlands.

The change was sparked in March 2008 by a custody case in the Netherlands, involving parents and children from the Antilles.

A petition for full custody by one parent has to be filed by the parent with the judge, along with reasons to justify this request. In other cases, such as the child's safety, automatic joint custody will be reviewed by the judge.

Other amendments to the family laws pending approval by parliament include regulating the rights of children not acknowledged by their fathers and the right of parents to choose their child's surname (last name).

Also on today's agenda are some "technical amendments" to the Tax Laws regulating hotel/land development as well as the sales taxes for harbour concession businesses, particularly in Curaçao.

4 May 2010