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 Leipzig 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

Written separation statement(Required)

Ideally signed by both

Rental contract for new apartment(Optional)

As proof

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Family court Leipzig: Bernhard-Göring-Straße 64, 04275 Leipzig

💡 Weitere Tipps

Lawyer mandatory for divorce – application only through lawyer
Amicable divorce: only one lawyer needed
Contested divorce: both parties need own lawyer
Legal aid available at court (for low income)

Lawyer search Saxony↗⚖️ 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 €

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•District court Leipzig: Bernhard-Göring-Straße 64, 04275 Leipzig

•Tel. 0341 49400, Fax 0341 4940600

💡 Weitere Tipps

Hours: Mon+Thu 8:30am-12pm + 1-3pm, Tue 8:30am-12pm + 1-5pm, Fri 8:30am-12pm
Wednesday by appointment only
Legal application office for free help with applications
Email: verwaltung-P@agl.justiz.sachsen.de

District court Leipzig↗

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

Marriage certificate(Required)

Income statements of both partners(Required)

Family register(Optional)

🏛️ Lokale Behördeninfo

•Youth welfare office Leipzig: Naumburger Str. 26, 04229 Leipzig

💡 Weitere Tipps

Department for maintenance/certifications
Free advice on custody, visitation, child support
Tel. 0341 123-4751
Always try out-of-court settlement first

⚖️ Fachanwalt finden ↗

Step 5⏱ 5–10 Min

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)

Birth certificates of children(Required)

If children present

Registration certificate(Required)

💡 Weitere Tipps

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 Leipzig↗

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

Pension information of both partners(Required)

Company pension info(Optional)

Private pension insurance(Optional)

💡 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↗

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

ID card(Required)

Court summons(Required)

💡 Weitere Tipps

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 Leipzig↗

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

Divorce decree (final)(Required)

💡 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↗

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

Divorce decree (final)(Required)

ID card(Required)

Birth certificate(Required)

💡 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

Registry Office Leipzig↗

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 Leipzig

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: