The consent rules form the basis of the stepparent adoption procedure in Westland, a municipality in the Haaglanden region with many blended families in greenhouse and agricultural communities. Primarily, consent is required from the biological parent with whom the bond is severed, the cohabiting parent, and the child from 12 years of age. Without consent, the court in The Hague may dispense with it only in cases of serious neglect or unsuitability, taking into account local family situations.
Procedure in Case of Refusal of Consent in Westland
If the non-cohabiting biological parent refuses, the District Court of The Hague assesses whether this is in the child's best interest. Criteria include the duration of contact with the biological parent and possible harm from adoption. In cases of long-term no contact, such as 5 years – not uncommon in dynamic Westland families – consent may be dispensed with. Local agencies such as the Westland Legal Advice Office provide free information.
Role of the Child in Westland
Children from 12 years of age are heard by the juvenile court judge in The Hague or a family guardian. Their opinion carries significant weight, especially in municipalities like Naaldwijk or Monster. For younger children, the child protection board makes a balancing of interests, with attention to the Westland context such as school and family ties.
Consequences of Consent in the Region
After consent, an investigation follows by the Haaglanden child protection board. In successful adoption, the legal bond is fully dissolved. In 2024, the Supreme Court approved 78% of regional requests. For Westland-specific advice: consult a family law attorney in 's-Gravenzande or via the legal advice office.