Family law and divorce cases
Divorce, custody, alimony, division of property and protection orders.
- Civil cases
Last updated: · Av. Şeref Şahin
Family law covers marriage, divorce, child custody, alimony and the division of property between spouses. These cases are heard by the family courts and directly affect your personal life.
Where possible, an agreed solution is considered first; where necessary, the matter is pursued through litigation.
When legal advice may be needed
- You are considering an uncontested or contested divorce
- There is a dispute over child custody or contact arrangements
- Alimony needs to be ordered, increased or ended
- Property acquired during the marriage needs to be divided
- You need a protection order because of violence or threats
- A divorce granted abroad needs to be recognised in Turkey
Services
- Drafting uncontested divorce agreements
- Contested divorce cases
- Custody and contact arrangements
- Interim, child support and post-divorce alimony cases
- Liquidation of the matrimonial property regime and participation claims
- Protection orders under Law No. 6284
- Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments
- Paternity and adoption cases
Common questions in this area
What are the requirements for an uncontested divorce?
The marriage must have lasted at least one year, and the spouses must apply together or one must accept the case filed by the other. The judge hears both parties in person and must approve their agreement on custody, alimony and financial matters.
How is property divided in a divorce?
For property acquired after 1 January 2002, the regime of participation in acquired property applies unless otherwise agreed. Property acquired during the marriage is, as a rule, shared equally; personal property is not divided.
Who gets custody?
The court decides custody based on the best interests of the child. It considers the child’s age and care needs and, if the child is mature enough, the child’s views. Contact is arranged between the child and the parent who does not have custody.
I got divorced abroad. Is it valid in Turkey?
For a foreign divorce judgment to take effect in Turkey, a recognition case must be filed. Once recognised, the divorce is entered in the civil registry.