Family Law
You have the right to clarity in your personal affairs.
Family law concerns the most personal areas of life of our clients and their close relatives. Marital and family conflicts are emotionally demanding. Our attorneys support you with empathy and clarity in matters of marriage, divorce, the marital property regime upon marriage or proprietary consequences upon cohabitation, maintenance, parental responsibility and custody, as well as other issues arising under family law. Our aim is to find fair and sustainable solutions, preferably by agreement, or, if necessary, by seeking and enforcing them through the courts. We combine legal expertise with an understanding of personal concerns.
Expertise in Family Law
- Marital agreements and marital property law
- Divorce, separation and protective measures for the marriage
- Spousal maintenance and child maintenance
- Sole and alternating custody, residence, visiting rights
- Cohabitation and non-marital partnerships
- Registered partnerships
- Adoption, recognition of paternity and child protection
- Asset division and pension equalisation
- Adult protection, own arrangements for care, and advance care directive
- Deputyship and guardianship
Team
You have the right to advice.
Simone Scherrer
Simone Scherrer
Nina Bischof
Nina BischofFAQ
Practical Issues in Family Law
How does a divorce proceed in Switzerland?
Divorce proceedings before courts are initiated by one spouse by filing a petition, or jointly by both spouses. The court first attempts to reach an agreement with both spouses on all consequences of the divorce. If the spouses cannot agree on all points, the proceedings may continue in a contentious manner. In both cases, the divorce is pronounced by the court. In the case of an amicable divorce, the spouses are generally divorced within a few months. Contentious proceedings may take several months to years.
How is maintenance calculated?
Maintenance depends on the financial circumstances and the needs of the family. Courts take into account, in particular, income, standard of living, and childcare arrangements.
What does joint custody mean?
With joint custody, both parents make important decisions concerning their child together, for example decisions regarding schooling, education, or the child’s health. Everyday matters concerning the child are decided by the parent who has care of the child at the time. It is important to distinguish custody (“Sorgerecht”) from residence (“Obhut”).
When is a marital agreement worthwhile?
A marital agreement is advisable where particular asset structures exist or where clear arrangements are desired in the event of divorce. We draft individual, legally sound agreements.
My partner and I have two children and do not wish to marry. However, we would like to regulate matters in case one of us dies. What should we do?
In such a case, you should consider not only death but also the possibility of invalidity of one parent or the possibility of separation. The individual needs of the family members must be analysed and the appropriate solution found for the family in question. Our attorneys provide comprehensive advice on these matters.
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