0 €, 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 Bonn – Fristen & Checkliste

Step 1

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

Written separation statement(Required)

Ideally signed by both

Rental contract for new apartment(Optional)

As proof

💡 Tips

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↗

Step 2

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 €

💡 Tips

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↗

Step 3

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

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

💡 Tips

Initial consultation often free or low fee
Legal aid available for low income
Online divorce = same costs, just digital communication
Bar association helps find lawyers

Find lawyers in Bonn↗

Step 4

File divorce petition

The lawyer files the divorce petition at the family court. The applicant pays the court fee advance first, later it's split.

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

⏰ After separation year💰 300 - 1.000 € Gerichtskosten

📄 Required Documents

Marriage certificate (original or certified copy)(Required)

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

Birth certificates of children(Required)

If children present

Registration certificate(Required)

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

💡 Tips

Jurisdiction: Family court where children live
Without children: Court at last shared residence
Court costs depend on net income
Partner must agree (amicable) or will be notified

Family Court Bonn↗

Step 5

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

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

💡 Tips

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↗

Step 6

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

ID card(Required)

Current valid ID – needed for identity verification

Court summons(Required)

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

💡 Tips

Amicable divorce: hearing takes about 10-15 minutes
Contested divorce: may require multiple hearings
After hearing: 1 month appeal period
Then divorce decree becomes final

Family Court Bonn↗

Step 7

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

Divorce decree (final)(Required)

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

💡 Tips

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

Change tax class↗

Step 8Only if changing name

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

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)

💡 Tips

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

Registry Office Bonn↗

Step 9

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.

💡 Tips

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

Compare & adjust insurance↗

Divorce in Bonn

Document the separation

📄 Required Documents

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

🔗 Related Topics