Turkish family law is governed by the Turkish Civil Code. Divorce cases are heard by family courts and may be uncontested (anlaşmalı) or contested (çekişmeli).
Uncontested divorce
If the marriage has lasted at least one year and both spouses agree on all consequences — custody, child support, alimony, compensation and division of property — the court can grant the divorce at a single hearing on the basis of a written settlement protocol.
Contested divorce
Where the spouses cannot agree, a contested case is brought on one of the statutory grounds, most commonly the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. Fault is important because it affects alimony and compensation claims.
Custody and support
Custody is decided according to the best interests of the child, usually after a social services report. The non-custodial parent is granted contact rights and ordered to pay child support.
Property
For assets acquired after 1 January 2002, the default regime is participation in acquired property: assets acquired during the marriage are generally shared equally, while personal property (pre-marital assets, inheritance, gifts) is excluded.
International elements
We also handle recognition and enforcement of foreign divorce judgments, cases involving foreign spouses and child abduction matters under the Hague Convention.
Frequently asked questions
Can I divorce in Turkey if I live abroad?
Yes. You can be represented by a lawyer through a power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate or apostilled abroad. For uncontested divorce, the court usually requires the spouses to attend the hearing in person.
Is a foreign divorce valid in Turkey?
A foreign divorce judgment must be recognised by a Turkish court before it is entered in the Turkish civil registry. We handle recognition (tanıma) proceedings.
Member of the Bursa Bar (Reg. No 7458). Graduate of Ankara University Faculty of Law; former public prosecutor and chief public prosecutor.
