For my clients, I always pursue the best and most sustainable result. This can be done through litigation, but preferably through negotiations. Even if both parties (seem to) be diametrically opposed, ‘sitting around the table together’ yields the best result.

Determining the strategy together and keeping calm are essential, because only then will you reach the best solution. I always look for harmony, negotiating on the basis of mutual interests. So many more and more creative solutions are possible than people think.

What touches me

The image the outside world often has. That people get divorced ‘just like that’. But people don’t get divorced ‘just like that’, they really don’t take that decision lightly. But also that people take a decision based on an emotion that prevails at that moment, which has so much impact on their future and that of their children. Often these are not the decisions that still feel right a month, six months or two years later.

The best outcome is a mutually acceptable settlement reached in good harmony.

Professional

I find family law and inheritance law the most interesting areas of law. Because that is what affects you the most as a human being. In your safety, your familiar surroundings. The diversity also appeals to me. It has a strong legal and financial side. Those are needed to draw up the business side and also a possible parenthood plan. In addition, the relational issues come into play. I cannot repair the relationship, but I can coach both partners and give them insight into each other’s grieving process. I think this is an important step that should not be missed. And then the next step: making decisions and starting the procedure.

A fighting divorce is no fun for lawyers either, really.

Education and experience

Chantal graduated in 2001 and has since worked as a lawyer and later mediator. She specialises in personal and family law and inheritance law, focusing in particular on divorce, divorces, settlement of prenuptial agreements, maintenance issues and inheritance law matters. She negotiates and litigates as easily in English as in Dutch and also has an international practice. Chantal is a partner at LINK Advocaten.

Chantal is married. Also at home, as a mother of three sons, her negotiating skills come in handy. She is empathetic, always manages to keep calm and is a strong strategic thinker.

• member of the Association of Family Lawyers Divorce Mediators (vFAS)
• member of the Mediators Federation Netherlands (MfN)
• fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
• Dutch law at the University of Utrecht
• vFAS Legal Specialisation Course in family law
• mediation training of the vFAS
• vFAS Legal Specialisation Course in international private law
• Collaborative divorce lawyer training
• Legal specialist training in inheritance law of the vFAS

Would you like to contact Chantal? Then send an e-mail to  cvbaalen@linkadvocaten.nl  or call +31 202610002.