Relationship and Divorce

Is your relationship not going as you hoped? Whether you want to fight for your relationship or have decided to break up, the RenS team of experts from the municipality of Opsterland will help you every step of the way. Our help is free, non-binding, and independent.

Contact form

Help with your relationship

Sometimes you lose the connection. We offer support to restore communication.

  • SCHIP program: Learn how to communicate respectfully with each other again after a difficult period. Free of charge through the municipality.
  • Tailored advice: Together, we will determine what support is best suited to your situation.

Help with divorce

A divorce raises many questions and uncertainties. We help you get an overview:

  • Focus on children: How do you tell the children and how do you make good agreements?
  • Practical & Financial: What happens to the home, benefits, and alimony?
  • Where do you start? We guide you through the maze of rules and emotions.

Our support

For families

Especially for Children and Young People

Your parents are separating. What about you? It's understandable that you have a lot of questions or concerns. Team RenS is there for you too.

  • A listening ear: We think along with you so that you gain more clarity.
  • The Mat Game: A playful way (for children aged 3 and up) to talk about what's on your mind.
  • Villa Pinedo: Chat online with a buddy who has been through the same thing.

Contact a peer 

For parents

Has communication between you and your (ex) partner broken down completely and would you like to learn how to communicate with each other in a respectful manner again? Or learn how to move forward as co-parents after divorce? Together, we will assess whether a SCHIP program is right for you. We can offer this free of charge through the municipality. For more information about the program, visitwww.schipaanpak.nl.

Practical matters

Finance and Housing

Peace of mind regarding your finances

A divorce has major financial consequences. Our debt counselors will review your situation free of charge and without obligation.

  • Questions about rental or owner-occupied homes.
  • Calculating income, allowances, and benefits.
  • Preventing financial worries in the future.

For Stakeholders and Professionals

  • Family & Friends: How can you support someone without taking sides? Check out our [10 tips for positive support].
  • Professionals: Need a sparring partner for a case? We offer expertise and can join discussions if necessary.

Who we are

We are the Relationship and Divorce Expertise Team (RenS) of the municipality of Opsterland. We all work at the area team of Opsterland. 

Team relationship and divorce
Ruth van Bekkum: youth consultant. Anita Comello: youth and social services consultant. Chris Brammer: youth consultant. Gertjan Jansen: social services consultant. Arjan Boven: early indicator of financial concerns/debt counselor. Dorinthe Fennis: behavioral scientist.

The Relationship Walk:
Talk together, Walk together, Connect together

Would you like to work on your relationship in an accessible way? Sometimes you can lose touch with each other in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Relationship Walk in Beetsterzwaag helps you to really engage with each other again while you are moving together. Good for your relationship, your body, and your mind.

How does it work? You follow a beautiful 4.5-kilometer route through the nature of Beetsterzwaag. Signs with fun relationship questions are scattered along the route. These questions are intended to explore depth, bring back memories, and stimulate communication.

To the relationship walk

Meet RenS

Where else can I go for information?

Below are helpful websites with more information.

Divorce in Friesland

On this website you will find accurate and concise information about divorce in one place. The information is for parents, ex-partners, children, professionals and stakeholders. For additional information we sometimes refer to other (Frisian) organizations and agencies. 

divorceinfriesland.co.uk  

Apart

Step by step divorce with guidance or very quickly. Everything is possible at Uitelkaar.nl. On the online divorce platform you create a parenting plan, divorce plan, with or without mediation. Every situation is unique, so you decide what you need and pay only for that. No more no less. 

uitelkaar.nl 

Breaking up with children

This website is designed to help parents navigate the difficult process of divorce. The emphasis is on making the divorce as smooth as possible for both parents and children. The goal is to minimize the damage after the divorce. 

uitelkaarmet Kinderen.nl  

Divorce or separation checklist

Information and advice on arranging financial matters during/after a divorce. 

modifier.com  

Experiences by and for children

Sharing experiences and information by and for children about divorce 

villapinedo.com  

Meeting for parents

Information sessions and meetings for parents and professionals. About what divorce or growing up safe means for children. About how to offer support to a child. 

parent meetings.co.uk  

For Each Other Square

Opsterland's signpost - Voor Elkaar Plein

forelkaarplein.com

Contact

Contact us at: 

We can be reached between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.