0 €, 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos), 0 €, 1.500 - 5.000+ € (je nach Einkommen), 300 - 1.000 € Gerichtskosten, Inkl. in Gerichtskosten, Inklusive, 0 €, 25-30 €, Variiert

What happens if I miss the deadline?

Ohne dokumentiertes Trennungsdatum kann der Partner später bestreiten, dass ihr getrennt wart!

Divorce in Bochum 2026 – Process, costs & separation year

Step 1⏱ 5–10 Min

Document the separation

🚨

Frist: Immediately upon separation · Without a documented separation date, your partner may later dispute that you were separated!

The separation year begins when you live apart. Document the date in writing! Separation means: no more shared household (separate accounts, shopping, laundry, etc.).

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Written separation statement(Required)

Create yourself – ideally signed by both, send via email or registered mail to partner

Rental contract for new apartment(Optional)

If one moves out – as proof of separation date

💡 Weitere Tipps

Separation in the same apartment is possible (separate rooms, fridges, etc.)
Send email or letter to partner with separation date
Witnesses can be helpful later (family, friends)
No reconciliation attempt over 3 months – otherwise separation year restarts

Separation agreement template↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

⚖️ Compare legal protection ↗

Step 2⏱ 2–5 Min

🏠 Organise your new start

Separation often means a new home. Plan your move early – from the new apartment to utilities and re-registration at the residents' office.

⏰ After separation💰 0 € (Vergleich kostenlos)

💡 Weitere Tipps

🏠 Start looking for a new flat early
📋 Use the moving checklist
🔌 Transfer electricity & internet immediately
💰 Free & non-binding comparison

👉 Umzug jetzt planen ↗👉 Strom & Internet *

⏱ 2 Minuten💰 Kostenlos🔒 Unverbindlich

Step 3⏱ 2–5 Min

Complete separation year

In Germany, you must live separately for at least 1 year before divorce can be filed. Use this time to clarify finances and assets.

⚠️In hardship cases (violence, addiction), divorce is possible without separation year – ask a lawyer!

⏰ 12 months💰 0 €

💡 Weitere Tipps

Separation maintenance can be claimed during separation year
Close or block joint accounts
Check insurance policies (who is covered where?)
With children: discuss visitation arrangements

Calculate separation maintenance↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 4⏱ 5–10 Min

Find a family law attorney

A lawyer is mandatory for divorce in Germany. For amicable divorce, ONE lawyer for both is enough – saves 50% on lawyer fees!

⚠️In contested divorce, EACH person needs their own lawyer. Costs increase significantly!

⏰ 2-3 months before end of separation year💰 1.500 - 5.000+ € (je nach Einkommen)

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Marriage certificate(Required)

Original or certified copy – request new from registry office where you married (approx. €12)

Income statements of both partners(Required)

Last 3 payslips from employer or tax notice from tax office

Family register(Optional)

If available – you received it at marriage, contains all family certificates

💡 Weitere Tipps

Bar Association Hamm: responsible for lawyers in Bochum area
Search: Fachanwalt fuer Familienrecht + district
💡 Amicable divorce: only one lawyer needed – saves costs!
Costs based on case value (income, assets)
Legal aid available for low incomes – lawyer will advise

⚖️ Fachanwalt finden ↗

Step 5⏱ 5–10 Min

File divorce petition

Your lawyer files the divorce petition at Bochum district court (family court). The family chamber is located at the Bochum Justice Centre, Josef-Neuberger-Straße 1. After filing, the court sends both parties questionnaires for pension equalisation.

⚠️Application can be filed 2-3 months BEFORE the end of separation year!

⏰ After separation year💰 300 - 1.000 € Gerichtskosten

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Marriage certificate (original or certified copy)(Required)

Request from registry office where you married – approx. €12

Birth certificates of children(Required)

If children present – from registry office of birthplace (approx. €12 each)

Registration certificate(Required)

Apply at Bochum citizens' office – approx. €10, shows separate addresses

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•� AG Bochum: Josef-Neuberger-Straße 1, 44787 Bochum · Tel: 0234 967-0

💡 Weitere Tipps

⚖️ Responsible: Bochum district court (family court):
📧 poststelle@ag-bochum.nrw.de · Fax: 0234 967-3106
🚇 200m from main station · Justice Centre (Ostring/Josef-Neuberger-Str.)
🔑 Divorce petition ONLY through lawyer (mandatory representation)

Bochum district court – family matters↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 6⏱ 5–10 Min

Complete pension adjustment forms

The court sends questionnaires for pension adjustment. Pension rights acquired during marriage are divided.

⚠️Pension adjustment often takes 4-8 months – biggest time factor in divorce!

⏰ Note deadline in letter💰 Inkl. in Gerichtskosten

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Pension information of both partners(Required)

Annual pension info from DRV – available online at eservice-drv.de

Company pension info(Optional)

If applicable – request from employer or pension fund

Private pension insurance(Optional)

Riester, Rürup, private pension – request certificates from insurance company

💡 Weitere Tipps

For short marriages under 3 years: no pension adjustment needed
Can be excluded by prenuptial agreement
Both partners receive pension statement from court
Riester, Rürup, company pensions are also considered

Request pension information↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 7⏱ 5–10 Min

Attend divorce hearing

Both spouses must appear in person at the divorce hearing. The court checks if the marriage has failed and pronounces the divorce.

⚠️For amicable divorce, the hearing only takes 10-15 minutes!

⏰ Set by court💰 Inklusive

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

ID card(Required)

Bring valid ID – needed for identity verification

Court summons(Required)

Comes by mail from family court – contains date, time and room

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•� AG Bochum: Josef-Neuberger-Straße 1, 44787 Bochum · Tel: 0234 967-0

💡 Weitere Tipps

⚖️ Responsible: Bochum district court (family court):
📧 poststelle@ag-bochum.nrw.de · Fax: 0234 967-3106
🚇 200m from main station · Justice Centre (Ostring/Josef-Neuberger-Str.)
🔑 Divorce petition ONLY through lawyer (mandatory representation)

Bochum district court – family matters↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 8⏱ 5–10 Min

Change tax class

After divorce, you automatically switch to tax class 1 (or 2 for single parents). The change applies from the year AFTER divorce.

⚠️During separation year, you can still keep the favorable tax class combination!

⏰ From January after divorce💰 0 €

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Divorce decree (final)(Required)

From family court – becomes final after appeal period expires (1 month)

💡 Weitere Tipps

Inform employer about the change
During separation year: joint tax filing still possible
Tax class 2 for single parents with child in household
Tax return in divorce year can be complex – tax advisor helps

Change tax class↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 9Only if changing name⏱ 5–10 Min

Check name change

After divorce, you can take back your birth name. You need to make a declaration at the registry office.

⚠️If you change your name, ID card, driver's license, bank cards etc. must also be renewed.

⏰ Anytime after divorce💰 25-30 €

📄 Required Documents

Complete all required documents first

Divorce decree (final)(Required)

From family court – must be final (after 1 month appeal period)

ID card(Required)

Current valid ID – needed for identity verification

Birth certificate(Required)

From registry office of your birthplace – shows your birth name (approx. €12)

💡 Weitere Tipps

Get birth certificate with new name from registry office
Apply for new ID card and passport
Inform employer, bank, insurance companies
Name change is voluntary – you can keep the married name

Bochum registry office – name change↗

Opens the official city page in a new tab

Step 10⏱ 2–5 Min

Adjust insurance & contracts

🚨

Frist: After divorce · Don't forget to remove ex-partner from beneficiaries (life insurance, will)!

Check all joint insurance and contracts. Many things need to be separated or adjusted after divorce.

💡 Weitere Tipps

Health insurance: Family coverage ends
Liability/household: Separate policies needed
Life insurance: Change beneficiary
Car insurance: Check owner and driver
Will and inheritance contract: Remove ex-partner

👉 Versicherungen prüfen ↗

Divorce in Bochum

Document the separation

📄 Required Documents

🏠 Organise your new start

Complete separation year

Find a family law attorney

📄 Required Documents

File divorce petition

📄 Required Documents

Complete pension adjustment forms

📄 Required Documents

Attend divorce hearing

📄 Required Documents

Change tax class

📄 Required Documents

Check name change

📄 Required Documents

Adjust insurance & contracts

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

📋What you should do next: