Amicable divorce
Uncontested Divorce
A lawyer-drafted agreement filed with a notary when both spouses agree on everything: children, assets, and spousal support. We secure every clause before signing.
Family Lawyers in Paris
Discover our expertise
Contested
Fault-Based Divorce
Adultery, violence, abandonment… we build or challenge the fault case, combining strategy with property considerations.
Separation
Irretrievable Breakdown
Formalizes separation when cohabitation ceased for 1+ year.
Agreement
Accepted Divorce
Both agree to divorce but not on consequences.
Marriage kept
Legal Separation
Ends cohabitation without dissolving marriage.
Civil partnerships
Civil Partnership Dissolution
Joint declaration, unilateral termination, or dissolution by marriage: we organize dissolution and asset division securely.
Financial
Spousal Support
Compensation to offset living standard differences. We calculate your entitlements or exposure before the court.
Responsibility
Parental Authority
Joint or sole exercise, withdrawal, delegation.
Child custody
Child Residence
Primary residence or alternating: we prepare a complete case to convince the court the arrangement serves the child's best interests. Distance, commuting, and schedules matter.
Joint custody
Shared Custody
Feasibility, schedules, gradual adjustments.
Parent bond
Visitation Rights
Weekends, holidays, contact centers.
Maintenance
Child Support
Calculation, revision, or termination of child maintenance, considering actual income and cost of living.
Family bonds
Grandparents' Rights
Preserving grandparent-grandchild bonds.
Parentage
Paternity Recognition
Voluntary recognition, search proceedings, DNA testing: we secure the process to establish the father-child relationship.
Contested
Paternity Challenge
Time limits, possession of status, DNA.
Parental project
Simple and Full Adoption
Approval, court proceedings, effects on name, authority, and inheritance: we guide families through every step.
Inheritance
Estate Division
Joint ownership, heir disputes, property sales: we favor amicable solutions while mastering judicial division. Asset valuation and concrete allocation matter.
Validity
Will Contestation
Defects, incapacity, undue influence.
Heir protection
Forced Heirship
Calculating reserved portion, reviewing gifts, reduction claims: we ensure protected heirs' rights are respected.
Planning
Gifts & Transfer
Strategies, taxation, gift-partitions.
After separation
Matrimonial Property Liquidation
Community, separate property, participation: we secure liquidation before notary or court.
Protection
Guardianship
Protecting vulnerable adults without limiting autonomy.
Protection & defense
Domestic Violence
Protection orders, criminal complaints, child custody, or defense of accused: comprehensive civil and criminal representation for both victims and accused persons.
Emergency
Child Abduction
Urgent action under Hague Convention.
Frequently asked questions.
What are the different types of divorce in France and which one should you choose in Paris?
French law provides four paths to divorce, each adapted to a specific situation. Divorce by mutual consent, the fastest, is carried out via a deed countersigned by lawyers and filed with a notary, without a judge (unless a child requests a hearing) and excluding vulnerable adults under guardianship. Articles 229 to 229-3 of the Civil Code. Divorce for acceptance of the principle of the breakdown is suitable when both parties agree on the principle of separation but disagree on the consequences. Article 233. Divorce for definitive alteration of the marital bond is available after at least two years of cessation of the community of life (separation). Articles 237 and 238. Finally, divorce for fault presupposes serious or renewed violations of marital duties making the maintenance of common life intolerable. Article 242. In Paris, the choice depends on the available evidence, the desire to de-escalate conflict, asset issues, and the timeline. A family law lawyer in Paris will guide you toward the safest and fastest route based on your objectives and the local practices of the Judicial Court.
Divorce by mutual consent in Paris: conditions, steps, and timeframes
Contractual divorce by mutual consent requires complete agreement on the breakdown and all its consequences: children, residence, child support, compensatory allowance, and the division of matrimonial assets (liquidation). Articles 229-1 to 229-3 of the Civil Code. Each spouse must have their own lawyer. The lawyers draft an agreement, respect a 15-day reflection period, and then sign it with the parties before filing it with a notary who gives it enforceable force. If a child requests to be heard or a protected adult is involved, a judge remains competent. In Paris, delays are mainly due to negotiation and obtaining documents (property deeds, statements). Count on 1 to 3 months for a well-prepared agreement, followed by a quick notarial filing. A family law lawyer in Paris ensures the balance of the agreement, its compliance with Articles 373-2-2 (parental authority) and 270 et seq. (compensatory allowance), and anticipates the division of assets to avoid any subsequent litigation.
Divorce for fault: what evidence and what litigation risks?
Divorce for fault relies on demonstrating serious or repeated violations of marital duties (fidelity, assistance, respect, cohabitation). Articles 212, 215, and 242 of the Civil Code. Evidence is free but must be obtained legally: bailiff’s reports, regular witness statements, written exchanges, and digital elements collected without fraud or violation of privacy. The fault must make continuing common life intolerable. Judges strictly assess gravity and proportionality. A fault can be neutralized by reciprocity. The litigation route can lengthen the procedure and increase costs. In Paris, the Judicial Court is attentive to preserving the children’s best interests and de-escalating conflict. A family law lawyer in Paris helps you assess the advisability of a fault action regarding chances of success, potential effects on compensatory allowance, and the procedural calendar.
Divorce for definitive alteration of the marital bond: how to prove separation?
Divorce for definitive alteration of the marital bond assumes the cessation of the community of life between spouses for at least two years at the time of the summons. Articles 237 and 238 of the Civil Code. Proof of separation relies on factual elements: separate domiciles (leases, invoices, witness statements), absence of common life, and financial separation. Occasional material cohabitation due to constraints (renovations, health) does not exclude the breakdown if marital intimacy has ceased. In Paris, the timeline is decisive: gather your elements early (witness statements compliant with Article 202 of the Code of Civil Procedure, administrative proofs). This path avoids alleging faults and reduces evidentiary disputes. A family law lawyer in Paris prepares a clear file, secures dates, and anticipates financial and parental consequences.
Accepted divorce: when to consider it and what precautions to take?
Divorce for acceptance of the principle of the breakdown occurs when spouses agree to divorce but not on the consequences. Article 233 of the Civil Code. The acceptance is final: one can no longer invoke fault. This path is relevant when responsibility is debated but both wish to avoid a heavy evidentiary procedure. In Paris, it allows the debate to focus on children’s residence, support payments, compensatory allowance, and asset division. The lawyer ensures that the acceptance is informed and that waiving the debate on fault does not unbalance the negotiation on financial measures. They structure useful evidence based on the criteria of Articles 271 (compensatory allowance) and 373-2-2 (child support) and favor mediation, if possible, to reduce delays and costs.
Joint parental authority: principle, exceptions, and best practices
Parental authority is exercised jointly by both parents, even when separated. Article 371-1 of the Civil Code. It covers major decisions in the child’s life: health, education, religion, residence, and travel. Exceptions (exclusive authority) are rare and justified by the child’s best interest, for example, in cases of manifest lack of interest or proven violence. Parents must inform each other and consult. In Paris, judicial practice encourages concrete tools: communication books, shared calendars, dedicated co-parenting platforms, and family mediation. In case of disagreement on a major point, the Family Court Judge (JAF) can decide after evaluating the child’s best interests and potentially hearing the child depending on their discernment. A family law lawyer in Paris helps you formalize a clear parenting plan, compatible with urban constraints and compliant with Articles 373-2 and 373-2-6 of the Civil Code.
Child's residence in Paris: alternating or primary, how to decide?
Residence can be set in alternation or at one parent’s home with visitation and accommodation rights for the other. Article 373-2-9 of the Civil Code. The determining criterion is the child’s best interest, assessed regarding their age, parental availability, distance between homes and school, and the quality of parental dialogue. Alternating residence does not require strict parity but a stable distribution. In Paris, practical considerations (urban density, commutes, professional schedules) carry weight. Alternation can be progressive for young children. School, extracurricular, and medical arrangements must be anticipated. The decision can evolve if circumstances change. A family law lawyer in Paris presents a precise file: report cards, certificates, statements, and detailed calendars, to secure a balanced and adaptable solution.
Child support: how does the Family Court Judge calculate the contribution?
The contribution to the child’s maintenance and education is based on the child’s needs and the parents’ resources. Article 371-2 of the Civil Code. The judge assesses *in concreto*: income, expenses, lifestyle, residence time, and specific costs (health, activities). The indicative scale published by the Ministry of Justice is not mandatory but serves as a benchmark. The support can evolve in case of a significant change (Article 373-2-13). In Paris, the cost of living and certain specific school or childcare costs are often documented. Annual indexation according to INSEE is customary. A family law lawyer in Paris builds an argued budget, proposes sharing exceptional costs pro rata to income, and secures payment methods. In case of non-payment, ARIPA offers effective recovery solutions.
Legal separation vs Divorce: what are the practical differences?
Legal separation (séparation de corps) ends the obligation of cohabitation without dissolving the marriage. Articles 296 to 309 of the Civil Code. The duties of fidelity and support remain, and a contribution may be set (Articles 302 and 303). The matrimonial regime switches to separation of property if the judgment so provides. Divorce dissolves the marriage and allows for remarriage. In Paris, legal separation is chosen for personal or religious reasons, or for a transitional period before divorce. Parental and financial consequences are similar to those of divorce, excluding the dissolution of the bond. Conversion into divorce remains possible. A family law lawyer in Paris helps you evaluate the benefits of this path, organize the family home, support contributions, and asset protection, while keeping the option of a later global agreement open.
Compensatory allowance: criteria, forms, and strategies in Paris
The compensatory allowance (prestation compensatoire) compensates for the disparity created by the breakdown. Article 270 of the Civil Code. Assessment criteria are listed in Article 271: duration of marriage, age and health, qualifications, professional situation, choices made during common life, assets, and pension rights. It is in principle paid as a capital sum, immediately or in installments, with the possibility of allocations in property or usufruct. Articles 274 and 275. Exceptionally, a life annuity may be granted. Article 276. In Paris, case law is attentive to interrupted careers and lasting income gaps. Structured and guaranteed offers (insurance, security interests, indexation) reassure the judge. A family law lawyer in Paris models several scenarios, integrates taxation and the liquidation of the matrimonial regime, and favors balanced agreements.
Liquidation of the matrimonial regime: when and how to anticipate it?
The liquidation of the matrimonial regime occurs during or after the divorce. Articles 1441 et seq., 267 of the Civil Code. The judge may rule on liquidation and partition requests or refer the matter to a notary. The inventory of assets and debts, valuation (real estate, businesses, social rights), and rewards/claims between spouses are key. In Paris, anticipation is essential to accelerate the post-divorce exit from joint ownership. Mutual consent divorce agreements must integrate a notarial liquidation statement if there is real estate. A family law lawyer in Paris coordinates with the notary, consolidates evidence (contributions, financing, renovations), and secures housing occupation clauses, sales deadlines, as well as guarantees against non-payment or depreciation of value.
Inheritance reserve and successions: what do you need to know?
The inheritance reserve protects a minimum share for descendants. Articles 912 and 913 of the Civil Code. The disposable portion is the share that can be freely transmitted. Gifts infringing on the reserve are reducible. The rights of the surviving spouse vary according to the presence of children and the choice of usufruct or ownership. In Paris, complex estates (real estate, PEA, companies) require anticipation with shared gifts, matrimonial advantages, or beneficiary clauses. A family law lawyer in Paris secures deeds regarding conflicts of laws (if international elements exist), Articles 913-1 and 921 (reduction), and taxation. In case of dispute, an expert appraisal can clarify the value of assets. Anticipated family dialogue reduces litigation while respecting the balance imposed by the descendants’ reserve.
Simple or plenary adoption: conditions and legal effects
Plenary adoption severs all ties with the original family and substitutes a new filiation. Strict conditions apply: age of the adopter, age difference, consents. Articles 343 et seq. of the Civil Code. Simple adoption maintains certain ties with the original family and has its own patrimonial effects. Articles 360 et seq. The procedure involves a social inquiry and a judicial decision. In Paris, courts rigorously examine the child’s interest, the stability of the project, and family integration. A family law lawyer in Paris prepares consents, civil status documents, and anticipates effects on the name, parental authority, and inheritance rights. Precise support avoids inadmissibility and accelerates the decision, particularly in the presence of international situations or adoption of the spouse’s child.
Domestic violence: protection order and immediate measures
In cases of violence within the couple, a protection order can be requested urgently. Articles 515-9 to 515-13 of the Civil Code. The judge can prohibit contact, assign the home, organize children’s residence and support, confiscate weapons, and order monitoring. The decision comes quickly after a contradictory hearing. In Paris, complementary mechanisms exist: Grave Danger Phone, emergency shelter, coordination with the prosecutor’s office for criminal measures (anti-reproachment bracelet). A family law lawyer in Paris compiles a compelling file: medical certificates, complaints, regular statements, messages, and proposes a safety plan. Civil decisions articulate with potential criminal prosecutions while respecting the children’s interest. The priority remains the immediate and lasting protection of victims.
Grandparents' rights in Paris: maintaining ties with grandchildren
A child has the right to maintain personal relations with their ascendants. Article 371-4 of the Civil Code. The Family Court Judge may arrange visitation and accommodation rights for grandparents if the child’s interest commands it, barring serious reasons. In Paris, the judge evaluates the quality of prior ties, the absence of conflict harmful to the child, geographic distance, and family organization. Modalities can be progressive, in a neutral place if necessary, or via regular correspondence. A family law lawyer in Paris prepares statements, photos, exchanges, and proposes a realistic calendar respecting school rhythms and co-parenting. Family mediation can foster a lasting agreement. The cardinal criterion remains the best interest of the child, not the satisfaction of the adults.
PACS: how to dissolve it and what are the practical consequences?
A PACS is dissolved by joint declaration or unilateral decision served by a bailiff to the other partner, then registered. Article 515-7 of the Civil Code. Dissolution leads to the liquidation of the applicable regime (separation of property unless otherwise agreed) and the end of reciprocal duties. There is no compensatory allowance, but tort liability can be engaged in case of distinct fault. In Paris, the registration formality is done with the competent civil status officer (town hall) or the notary depending on the initial place of registration. A family law lawyer in Paris secures notifications, asset distribution, housing, and potential common children (parental authority remains unchanged, Articles 371-1 and 373-2). A clear written agreement avoids subsequent litigation and accelerates the exit from the PACS.
Alternating residence in a dense urban environment: feasibility and adjustments
Alternating residence is conceivable if it serves the child’s interest. Article 373-2-9 of the Civil Code. In Paris, urban density requires precise evaluation of home-school commutes, proximity of activities, and each parent’s capacity to offer equivalent material conditions. Alternations like 1-2-1-2 for younger children or 7-7 for older ones are possible. Adjustments can be progressive with periodic reviews. A family law lawyer in Paris proposes a detailed calendar, shares transport costs, and anticipates medical emergencies. A clause for mediation prior to disputes and a formalized communication channel reduce tensions and secure daily implementation, consistent with joint parental authority (Article 371-1).
Parental relocation: what are the rules and remedies?
Every parent must respect the joint exercise of parental authority. Articles 371-1 and 373-2. A move significantly affecting the child’s organization must be notified to the other parent beforehand, with a proposal for adjustment. In case of disagreement, the Family Court Judge decides based on the child’s interest, the reasons for the move, and solutions to maintain ties. In Paris, moves within the Île-de-France region call for a fine study of travel times and school offers. A family law lawyer in Paris quickly seizes the judge, documents the project (employment, housing), and proposes a realistic calendar and transport cost sharing. Non-compliance can lead to coercive measures and a revision of residence and visitation arrangements.
Sharing exceptional children's expenses: how to secure the agreement?
Beyond basic support, exceptional expenses (non-reimbursed health, specific schooling, expensive activities) must be defined: nature, threshold, distribution key, prior validation, and reimbursement modalities. The legal basis remains Article 371-2 of the Civil Code. In Paris, expenses can be significant: field trips, speech therapy, transport. A family law lawyer in Paris formalizes precise clauses: indicative list, pro rata to income, receipts to provide, reimbursement deadlines, dedicated account, or tracking app. An indexation and periodic review clause limits disputes. In case of punctual disagreement, quick recourse to the Family Court Judge is possible, but prior mediation favors flexible and lasting solutions for the child’s benefit.
Family mediation and homologated parental agreements: an asset in Paris
Family mediation helps resolve parental disputes in the child’s interest. The judge can order it, or parents can resort to it voluntarily. Articles 373-2-10 and 255 2° of the Civil Code. Agreements reached can be homologated to give them enforceable force. In Paris, the mediation offer is developed, allowing for quick appointments and tailored solutions integrating local constraints. A family law lawyer in Paris prepares the mediation, verifies the legal compliance of agreements (residence, support, expenses), and drafts a clear request for homologation. Agreements reduce delays, costs, and stress while stabilizing co-parenting. They remain revisable in case of notable change in accordance with Article 373-2-13 of the Civil Code.