Van Oldenbarnevelt opposed Maurice, Prince of Orange, and in 1618 he was arrested for treason. Maria van Utrecht believed in his innocence , and did all she could to get her husband released. She pleaded for an appropriate defence and sent countless letters to the authorities – all to no avail, because Van Oldenbarnevelt was sentenced to death. Van Utrecht was not permitted to visit him again, or bury him. Two days after his death the States General ordered the confiscation of much of Van Oldenbarnevelt ’s property. Maria van Utrecht fought this decision and tried to reclaim her assets from their joint estate, with only partial success.
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