Lawyer Family Law

Swiss family law encompasses a wide range of regulations concerning family life in its various stages and forms. It governs legal relationships within the family, starting from marital matters such as engagement, marriage, separation, and divorce, to child law, which includes protection, parental responsibility, custody, and child support, and extends to adult protection law for persons in need of assistance and incapacitated individuals.

Marriage law addresses questions concerning marriage from its inception to dissolution, including asset division and maintenance issues in divorce. Child law focuses on the protection and rights of children, including parental duties and custody. In the field of adult protection law, measures are established to protect incapacitated adults.

Additionally, Swiss family law addresses the rights of same-sex couples by legally recognizing their cohabitation and establishing regulations regarding adoption, maintenance claims, and other relevant aspects.

Overall, Swiss family law creates a legal framework that respects the diversity of family forms and ensures the protection and well-being of all family members while adapting to societal developments.

The fee for a consultation with a family law attorney is negotiable. Most lawyers work with preferred hourly rates, which can be adjusted to fit the available budget and the specific circumstances. Initial consultations are often offered at reduced prices by family law attorneys. Here, you can expect flat rates around 300 CHF. Some attorneys even provide brief legal advice for free.

Most aspects of family law are governed by the Swiss Civil Code (SCC) in Articles 90 to 456. The law governing same-sex partners who have certified and registered their partnership is also considered part of family law. However, it is not anchored in the SCC but in the later enacted Same-Sex Partnership Act (SSPA).

There is no blanket answer to this question. The court determines who bears the costs of a proceeding in its judgment. However, it is generally the case that the party who loses the case must bear the court costs and the attorney fees for family law. If both parties win partially, the costs are divided accordingly. In the case of an amicable divorce, the spouses usually each bear half of the costs.

It is difficult to predict how long a proceeding in family court will take. Everything from a few weeks to several years is generally possible. Ultimately, it not only depends on what the case is about but also on whether the parties are in agreement. The workload of the courts also plays a role. A family law attorney advises and represents you in all family law matters.

A family law attorney specializes in handling legal matters concerning families. This includes a variety of topics such as divorce, custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence, and more. The attorney assists their clients in resolving conflicts, represents their interests in court, and helps negotiate legal agreements that are in the best interest of the family.