Merel Scheffer

I’m Merel Scheffer, a graduate of Utrecht University in corporate and criminal law. During my studies, my work in the Family Law Division at The Hague District Court developed my affinity for the law of persons and family law.

I’ve been practising as a lawyer since 2010, initially with a general civil practice and then family law. At TEAM Advocaten, I’ve devoted myself entirely to the law of persons, family law and succession matters, in which I advise as well as litigate.

Law of persons and family law
I help clients settle their divorces or registered partnerships, cohabitation agreements or separations. This involves issues such as spousal maintenance, home or business ownership, pension and the division of assets and debts.

I also counsel parents in disputes involving children, such as exercising custody, principal residence and access, child maintenance, substitute consent and the appointments of guardians ad litem. I assist parents when a child is put under a family supervision order or in custodial placement.

And my litigation experience covers parentage, denying or acknowledging paternity or adoption, guardianship, protective guardianship and mentorship. My approach is to find a connection, but if litigation is needed, I represent my client fully.

Law of succession
I’m frequently involved in succession disputes, including proceedings relating to estates, shares in an inheritance, forced shares, executors or liquidators. I also advise heirs and forced heirs on their rights in a deceased estate and on issues such as bequests, testamentary administration and usufruct.

I’ve registered in the following practice areas in the Netherlands Bar Association’s register of legal practice areas:

• Law of persons and family law
• Law of succession

Under this registration, I must obtain 10 training points in each registered principal practice area every calendar year in accordance with the standards of the Netherlands Bar Association.

DEFT, DEDICATED AND DEPENDABLE