Divorce in Düsseldorf

Before divorce you must live separately for at least 1 year. For contested divorce even 3 years. Separation can also occur within the shared home.

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

There is mandatory legal representation for divorce – at least one partner must have a lawyer. For mutual divorce, one shared lawyer is sufficient.

The lawyer files the divorce application at the Düsseldorf family court. The court serves the application to the other partner after the court fee advance is paid.

The court sets a divorce hearing date. Both partners must appear in person. After the hearing, the court pronounces the divorce.

After final divorce: Name change, change tax class, close joint accounts, adjust insurances.

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

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

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

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