Family Law & Divorce in Lingen (Ems)

Clear guidance in a stressful situation

Separation and divorce are among the most emotionally difficult life situations. I guide you with a calm and clear strategy through every phase - from separation and divorce proceedings to custody, contact rights and maintenance. My goal is the best possible result without unnecessary escalation.

Services in family law

• Divorce (amicable and contested)
• Custody and right to determine residence
• Visitation rights and visitation arrangements
• Child support and spousal maintenance
• Equalization of accrued gains and property settlement
• Interim orders (urgent proceedings)
• Divorce settlement agreement

Divorce in Lingen: requirements and procedure

A marriage can generally be dissolved once the spouses have lived apart for at least one year (separation year). The divorce petition must be filed with the family court by a lawyer. In an amicable divorce it is sufficient for one of the spouses to be represented by a lawyer.

The family court at the local court has jurisdiction – for families from Lingen and the surrounding area usually the Lingen (Ems) local court. What matters most is where the couple’s minor children live. For marriages lasting more than three years, the pension rights acquired during the marriage are divided as part of the divorce (pension equalisation).

Children, maintenance and assets

Custody and contact should be settled as early and objectively as possible; the youth welfare office takes part in court proceedings. For child maintenance the Düsseldorf Table serves as a guide. Spousal maintenance, equalisation of accrued gains and the division of house, accounts and debts can often be settled in a divorce settlement agreement – saving time and costs compared with contested proceedings.

Costs and legal aid

Court and lawyer’s fees depend on the value of the proceedings, which is based mainly on the spouses’ net income. If you cannot afford the costs, you can apply for legal aid (Verfahrenskostenhilfe). I explain the expected costs before the proceedings begin.

The separation year: what should be settled early

Separation raises questions that cannot wait until the divorce: who stays in the home, who pays the loan and the rent, where do the children live and how is contact arranged? During the separation period there may be a claim to separation maintenance. From the year after separation the tax class also changes, which affects net income and therefore maintenance. Settling these points early and transparently avoids costly disputes in the later divorce proceedings.

Frequently asked questions on family law