Family Lawyer in Turkey

English-speaking divorce, custody and family law for UK and international clients

Family problems are hard enough without a foreign court system and a language barrier. Our family lawyers in Turkey act for British and international clients in divorce, child custody, alimony and the division of property, in Turkish courts and, where needed, alongside your solicitor in England and Wales. You deal with UK-qualified solicitors and Turkish lawyers who speak English, explain every step in plain terms and keep you updated by phone, email or video call, wherever you live.

Divorce in Turkey

Turkish divorce law is in the Turkish Civil Code. A divorce is heard by the Family Court in the place where either spouse lives, or where the couple last lived together. The main routes are:

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• Uncontested divorce (anlaşmalı boşanma): both spouses agree on the divorce and its consequences, which usually means a single short hearing. The marriage must normally have lasted at least one year.

• Contested divorce: one spouse disagrees, or the terms are disputed. Grounds include adultery, a threat to life or serious ill treatment, a crime or dishonourable life, desertion, mental illness, and the general ground that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

• Divorce after separation: if the spouses have lived apart for a long period, either may be able to rely on the breakdown of the marriage even when the other objects.

A divorce involving a foreign spouse can raise questions about which country's law applies and whether the Turkish court has jurisdiction. We advise on this at the start, before you file anything, because starting in the wrong place can cost time and money.

Child custody and contact

Custody (velayet) is decided by the Family Court in the best interests of the child. The court looks at the child's age, home, schooling, each parent's circumstances and, for older children, the child's own wishes. We act for parents seeking custody, contact arrangements or changes to an existing order, and we help parents agree a workable parenting plan where that is possible.

Where a child has been taken abroad without consent, or kept in another country, Turkey and the UK are both parties to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. We advise on urgent applications and on the steps to take in both countries.

Alimony and child maintenance

The Turkish courts can order several kinds of financial support. We advise on:

• Interim alimony (tedbir nafakası) during the case.

• Poverty alimony (yoksulluk nafakası) for a spouse who would be left in real hardship by the divorce.

• Compensation (tazminat), material or moral, where one spouse caused the breakdown.

• Child maintenance (iştirak nafakası) paid by the parent who does not have custody.

Division of property

Since 1 January 2002 the default regime for most marriages in Turkey is participation in acquired property (edinilmiş mallara katılma). In general, property acquired during the marriage is shared, while personal property and assets owned before the marriage stay with the owner. A marriage contract or a different regime can change this. We trace and value assets, including Turkish property, bank accounts and company shares, and bring or defend claims for your share. Where a couple owns a home in both Turkey and the UK, we work with your English solicitor so the two cases fit together.

Recognition of UK and foreign divorces in Turkey

A divorce granted in England and Wales does not automatically change your status on the Turkish population register. To rely on it in Turkey, for example to remarry, deal with property or update your records, it normally needs to be recognised by a Turkish court (tanıma, or tenfiz where enforcement is needed). We prepare the application, the sworn translations and the apostilled documents, and follow it through to the registry.

Protection from domestic violence

Law No. 6284 allows the Family Court and the police to put protective measures in place quickly, including removal from the shared home and restraining orders. If you or your children are at risk in Turkey, contact us straight away.

• UK solicitors and Turkish lawyers in one team, so you do not need to coordinate two firms.

• English-speaking from the first call to the final order.

• Work on UK and Turkish cases together, including recognition and enforcement.

• A clear written fee estimate before we start.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get divorced in Turkey if my spouse lives in the UK?

Often yes, depending on where the spouses live, their nationality and where the marriage took place. We check jurisdiction and applicable law before any filing.

How long does a divorce in Turkey take?

An uncontested divorce can be finished in one hearing. A contested divorce commonly takes many months and sometimes years, depending on the court and the issues. We give you a realistic estimate once we know the facts.

Will a Turkish court recognise my English divorce?

Not automatically. It generally has to be recognised by a Turkish court before it is effective on the Turkish records. We handle that application.

Who gets custody of a young child?

The court decides on the child's best interests. For very young children the mother is often the main carer in practice, but each case turns on its own facts.

Do you advise on inheritance and wills too?

Yes. See our separate page on probate and inheritance in Turkey.

Speak to a family lawyer in Turkey

Tell us what has happened and what you want to achieve. We will explain your options and the likely route, in English, before you commit to anything. Book a consultation or send us a message through the Contact page.