Practice Areas · 02

Divorce and family law

Representation in uncontested and contested divorce, alimony, custody and property division cases from Üsküdar, mostly before the family courts of Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse.

Family & individualsIndividuals

Divorce, custody, alimony and the division of property carry both legal and personal consequences. Our office is in Üsküdar; family cases from Üsküdar and the surrounding districts are heard by the family courts at the Istanbul Anadolu Courthouse (İstanbul Anadolu Adliyesi) in Kartal. At the first meeting we explain the process, the realistic options and the costs.

If both spouses agree on the divorce itself and on its consequences (alimony, custody, property, compensation), an uncontested divorce (anlaşmalı boşanma, Turkish Civil Code art. 166/3) is usually concluded at a single hearing. The marriage must have lasted at least one year, the spouses must file together or one must accept the other's petition, and the judge must hear both spouses in person. A complete and workable protocol reduces the risk of further litigation later.

Without agreement, a contested divorce (çekişmeli boşanma) is filed. Most contested cases rely on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (art. 166/1); some rely on specific grounds such as adultery, attempt on life or degrading treatment, or desertion (arts. 161–164). Witnesses, messages and documents matter, and the court's view of which spouse is more at fault directly affects alimony and compensation claims.

Alongside divorce, this area covers interim, post-divorce and child maintenance (nafaka), custody (velayet) and visitation, the liquidation of the matrimonial property regime, protection orders under Law No. 6284, and the recognition in Turkey of divorce judgments issued abroad. The Constitutional Court's decision striking down the indefinite duration of post-divorce alimony was published in the Official Gazette on 30 September 2026; it takes effect on 30 June 2027, and the current rule applies until then.

When you may need this

You and your spouse have decided to divorce, agree on alimony, custody and property, and want a protocol that will hold up.
Your spouse does not accept the divorce, or you cannot agree on its consequences such as alimony, custody, the home or the car.
You have been served with a divorce petition and the two-week period to respond is running.
You want to obtain or change custody of your child, or reset the visitation schedule.
Alimony is not being paid, no longer covers the child's needs, or should be increased or ended because circumstances have changed.
The divorce is final, but the home, car, savings and other assets acquired during the marriage have not been divided.
You are facing violence or threats at home and need a protection (restraining) order.
You were divorced abroad and the judgment needs to be registered in the Turkish civil registry.

How the process works

01
First meeting
We discuss the length of the marriage, children, assets and what each side wants. We explain what the uncontested and contested routes would mean in your case, with likely timelines and costs.
02
Documents and evidence
We gather civil registry records, title deed and vehicle information, income documents and any messages, photos or medical reports. We identify possible witnesses.
03
Protocol or petition
If there is agreement, we draft a protocol that clearly settles alimony, custody, visitation and property. If not, we file a petition setting out the claims and their grounds with the family court where either spouse lives or where they last lived together for six months (art. 168).
04
Interim measures
When filing, we request measures that apply while the case is pending, such as interim maintenance, a temporary visitation schedule or arrangements for the family home (art. 169).
05
Hearings
In an uncontested divorce the judge hears both spouses and reviews the protocol. In a contested case we represent you through the exchange of pleadings, the preliminary hearing, witness hearings and, where needed, a social services report.
06
Judgment and finality
The judgment becomes final if no appeal is filed within two weeks of service; in an uncontested divorce both parties can waive the right to appeal to speed this up. The final judgment is entered in the civil registry, and we follow up on alimony and property division.

Services in this area

Uncontested divorce protocols and proceedings01
Contested divorce cases02
Custody, change of custody and visitation arrangements03
Interim, post-divorce and child maintenance; increase and termination of alimony04
Liquidation of matrimonial property, participation and contribution claims05
Pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation in divorce06
Protection orders against domestic violence (Law No. 6284)07
Paternity, filiation and adoption cases08
Recognition of foreign divorce judgments09

Documents worth bringing

ID card or passport and a civil registry extract (nüfus kayıt örneği)
Marriage certificate or a document showing the date of marriage
School, health and care information about the children
Proof of each spouse's income: payslips, social security records, tax records
Title deeds, vehicle registration, bank accounts and loan documents
Any messages, emails, photos, medical reports or police records
Any earlier protection, alimony or custody decisions
Names and contact details of possible witnesses

How fees and costs are determined

Under article 164 of the Attorneys Act (Law No. 1136), the fee is agreed in a written fee agreement between client and lawyer and cannot be lower than the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (Avukatlık Asgari Ücret Tarifesi, AAÜT) published each year by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. The fee depends on whether the case is uncontested or contested, on additional claims such as alimony, custody, compensation or property division, and on the work the file requires. The current tariff is published at tbb.org.tr; the fee and payment schedule are set out in writing at the meeting.

In addition, court fees and an advance for service and witness costs are paid when the case is filed; the court fee for divorce is a fixed amount, while for property division it is proportional to the value claimed. Custody disputes may involve a social services report, and property cases may involve expert and site inspection costs. The losing party may be ordered to pay the other side's court costs and a statutory attorney fee set by the tariff. Mediation is not a mandatory step in divorce or custody cases. Those who cannot afford the costs may apply to the court for legal aid (HMK art. 334) and to the bar association's legal aid office for a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Turkey?

The fee is agreed in writing according to the type and scope of the case and cannot fall below the annual minimum tariff of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations. An uncontested divorce does not require the same work as a contested one with alimony, custody and property claims. Court fees and a cost advance are paid separately.

How long does an uncontested divorce take?

An uncontested divorce is usually decided at a single hearing. How soon the hearing is scheduled depends on the court's workload, typically from a few weeks to a few months after filing. If both parties waive the right to appeal, the judgment becomes final shortly afterwards.

How long does a contested divorce take?

It depends on the number of witnesses, the need for social services or expert reports, and the court's caseload. Many cases are decided at first instance within one to two years; appeals can extend this. If the spouses reach agreement during the case, it can be converted into an uncontested divorce.

Can I get divorced without a lawyer?

Yes; Turkish law does not require representation in divorce cases. However, a missing or vague clause in the protocol, for example on alimony increases, visitation days or transfer of property, can lead to new lawsuits. Having the protocol reviewed by a lawyer before signing is worthwhile.

Can foreigners get divorced in Istanbul?

Turkish courts can hear a divorce where at least one spouse is a Turkish citizen or the spouses live in Turkey, subject to the rules of private international law (Law No. 5718). Which country's law applies depends on the spouses' nationality and habitual residence. Foreign documents must usually be submitted with an apostille and a sworn translation.

How is property divided in a Turkish divorce?

For property acquired after 1 January 2002, unless the spouses chose otherwise, the regime of participation in acquired property applies: assets acquired through work during the marriage are generally shared equally, while personal property is excluded. For earlier periods, a contribution claim may arise. Property division is usually a separate case decided after the divorce becomes final.

Has indefinite alimony been abolished?

The Constitutional Court struck down the words "indefinitely" in article 175 of the Civil Code on post-divorce alimony; the decision was published on 30 September 2026 and takes effect on 30 June 2027. Until then the current rule applies, and existing final alimony orders do not end automatically. The new rules and their effect on existing orders depend on legislation still to be passed by Parliament.

This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Every legal matter has its own circumstances; please request a meeting for your specific situation.