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Divorce & Separation

Factual, fair and, where possible, amicable — so you can look ahead.

A separation is emotionally and financially demanding. I guide you calmly and with a focus on solutions through the process, explain your rights and keep an eye on the consequences — maintenance, assets, children — so that you reach a workable arrangement.

Amicable rather than a battle

Where an amicable solution is possible, it is almost always the better one: faster, cheaper and less stressful — especially where children are involved. For amicable routes, I work together with the mediatorJutta Sirotek. Where necessary, however, I also represent your interests firmly before the family court.

Process and follow-up matters

As a rule, a divorce requires a year of separation(§ 1565, § 1566 BGB). The divorce petition is filed with the locally competent family court. Several further questions often need to be settled alongside the divorce:

How I can help you

Request an initial consultation08091 617 7777

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to wait out a year of separation before divorcing?
As a rule, yes. After a year of living apart, the marriage is presumed to have broken down if both spouses want the divorce, or if the other spouse consents (§ 1565, § 1566 BGB). If you have already been living apart for three years, the marriage is irrebuttably deemed to have broken down. Under certain conditions, the year of separation can even be spent within the shared home.
Do we both need our own lawyer?
No. For an amicable divorce, one lawyer is enough: only the spouse who files the divorce petition must be legally represented (§ 114 FamFG); the other spouse can consent to the divorce without their own lawyer. This noticeably reduces costs. Where contested follow-up matters are involved, representation for both sides makes sense.
What does a divorce cost?
Fees are based on the matter value under the RVG (among other things, the spouses' income and any follow-up matters included). An amicable divorce with only one lawyer is significantly cheaper. If income is low, legal aid (Verfahrenskostenhilfe) may be available. I discuss the likely costs transparently at the initial consultation.