Divorce, child custody, international parental disputes, prenuptial agreements and inheritance matters.
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International family law specialists
If you and your spouse are from different countries, EU Regulation Rome III may determine applicable law. A family lawyer can advise on your specific situation.
Courts prioritise the child's best interests. International custody disputes may involve the Hague Convention. Always use a specialist family lawyer.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Germany's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsGerman divorce (Scheidung) requires 1 year of separation (Trennungsjahr). Court proceedings are mandatory — no administrative divorce. A Fachanwalt für Familienrecht is required (Anwaltszwang). Versorgungsausgleich (pension equalisation) is automatic. Kindesunterhalt (child maintenance) follows the Düsseldorfer Tabelle. International couples face complex jurisdiction questions under Brussels IIb / Rome III.
| Scenario | Streitwert basis | Court fee | Lawyer fee (each) | Total approx. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncontested, joint income €3,000/mo | 3× net income | ~€360 | ~€700 | €1,760 |
| Uncontested, joint income €6,000/mo | 3× net income | ~€646 | ~€1,200 | €3,046 |
| Contested (custody dispute) | Income + child matters | €1,000–3,000 | €2,000–5,000 | €8,000–20,000+ |
| High net worth (contested assets) | Asset values included | €5,000–20,000 | €10,000–50,000 | €30,000–150,000+ |
| Child age | Net income €1,900–2,300 | Net income €2,300–2,900 | Net income €2,900–3,500 | Net income €3,500–4,300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–5 years | €480/mo | €551/mo | €622/mo | €713/mo |
| 6–11 years | €551/mo | €633/mo | €715/mo | €819/mo |
| 12–17 years | €645/mo | €740/mo | €836/mo | €957/mo |
| 18+ years | €754/mo | €866/mo | €977/mo | €1,120/mo |
Source: Düsseldorfer Tabelle (effective January 2025). Amounts are per child, paid by non-custodial parent. Kindergeld (€255/mo per child in 2025) deducted from maintenance obligation for children 18+.
For couples with different nationalities or habitual residence abroad, Brussels IIb (2022) governs EU divorce jurisdiction. Rome III allows couples to choose applicable divorce law (e.g. German expats can choose home country law). If no choice, German courts apply German law if both spouses are habitually resident in Germany. International custody disputes follow the Haager Kinderschutzübereinkommen — early legal advice is critical to prevent jurisdiction shopping.
