Divorce Lawyers in Turkey

Would you like to file for divorce in Turkey and need support? You may explore these lines and discover the information you need. We also recommend accessing our online services to discuss further details with our divorce lawyers in Turkey.

What types of divorce are available in Turkey?

• Contested – In the court of law,
• Uncontested – by mutual agreement between spouses.

What are the grounds for divorce in Turkey?

• adultery,
• unreasonable behavior,
• maltreatment, physical violence or attempt to kill,
• if one of the spouses has committed a crime,
• desertion: if the spouses were separated for at least six months and the separation continues, the spouse that was deserted can file a lawsuit for divorce,
• mental disease,
• irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

How can foreigners file for divorce in Turkey?

Two scenarios can be met:

• one of the spouses has Turkish citizenship while the other is a foreign citizen;
• both spouses are foreigners living in Turkey.

How it works:

• in the first situation, it is important to know that if the foreign spouse has filed for divorce in his/her home country, the foreign divorce decision must be recognised in Turkey (by a Turkish court or, in certain cases, administratively by the civil registry) to take effect here.
• in the case of foreign citizens, either spouse has the right to apply for divorce in the Turkish city where he or she resides. In this case, one of the following laws will apply: Turkish law or the law of the country of origin.

IMPORTANT: The Turkish divorce procedure is not complicated, as it is based on the Swiss Family Law. This modification puts an end to the Islamic rules.

How is child custody settled in Turkey?

It can be:

• Sole custody,
• Joint custody.

NOTES:

• the court makes an expert evaluation with psychologists and social workers, with interviews with the family members.
• in Turkey, there is no fixed age rule: the court decides in the child’s best interests; young children usually remain in the mother’s custody, and children of at least 8 years old are usually heard by the court, which takes their wishes into account.

You can also watch the video presentation we prepared for you: 

Is an evidence portfolio requested in a divorce case in Turkey?

Yes, in a contested divorce case. The applicant must present:

• tangible proof of wrongdoing,
• witness statements,
• financial records, and/or photos & videos, etc.

Are prenups available in Turkey?

The Turkish Civil Code stipulates that spouses can sign nuptial contracts with information about the marital property, before, during, or after the marriage. Here are the forms of pre-nuptial agreements:

• the pre-nuptial agreement can be completed at a public notary;
• the marital property regime refers to the notification of spouses about the chosen one at the time the marriage file is created.

NOTE: Our divorce lawyers in Turkey can explain the conditions of prenups.

Can spouses be represented with a power of attorney in a divorce case?

Yes, both spouses can be represented via power of attorney by our Turkish divorce lawyers.

What documents are needed in a divorce case in Turkey?

• marriage certificates,
• proof of domicile,
• mutual assets and/or personal belongings documents,
• completed standard form when filing for divorce,
• lawsuit petition,
• IDs, etc.

What is the time frame to get a divorce in Turkey?

• about 3-5 months in an uncontested divorce in Turkey,
• 1.5 years or more in a contested divorce in Turkey.

The decision on divorce proceedings of foreign citizens in Turkey will be made in accordance with Law No. 5718 on International Private and Procedural Law. The same principles will also apply in the division of assets and child custody after the divorce. If you need more details or legal assistance in court, you may contact our divorce lawyers in Turkey. Our specialists can also help you set up a business in Turkey in approx. 2-3 weeks, with TRY 50,000 as minimum share capital for an LLC.