Family law

Family work calls for tact as much as for legal precision: behind every case there are relationships and children. We act for clients in every kind of family dispute — from negotiations and agreements through to litigation.

A family lawyer in Kyiv advises and represents clients in cases concerning divorce, division of marital property, child support, a child’s place of residence, parental rights, adoption and prenuptial agreements. Meetings are held at our office or online.

Our services

• Divorce — through the civil registration office or the court, including where the other spouse objects
• Division of marital property — what is joint and what is personal, shares, by agreement or in court
• Child maintenance — an agreement between the parents or court proceedings, arrears
• Determining the child’s place of residence — taking into account the child’s age and views
• Deprivation of parental rights — and their restoration
• Adoption — documents and support throughout the procedure
• Establishing and contesting paternity
• Prenuptial agreement — making, amending, terminating or having it declared invalid

When to see a family lawyer

• your spouse does not agree to a divorce or to the arrangements for the children and property
• you need to establish which property is joint and which is personal, and how to divide it
• child support is not being paid, or there is a dispute over the amount
• the parents cannot agree on whom the child will live with and how the other parent will take part in the child’s upbringing
• you are planning to marry and want to settle property matters in advance by agreement

How we handle these matters

• we put the child’s interests first in every case where they are engaged
• we look for agreement first — a contract or a settlement; court when there is no agreement to be had
• we ensure confidentiality and proper conduct in all communications
• the scope of work and the payment terms are agreed in writing before we start

How the work proceeds

1. First conversation: we establish the situation and your goal and tell you which documents are needed.
2. Review of documents: we assess the options — an agreement, the civil registration office or the court — and explain the risks of each.
3. Negotiations and an agreement, if a settlement is possible.
4. Court, if there is no agreement: the claim, the evidence, attendance at hearings.

Legislation and case law are updated over time; this page reflects the position as of October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can we divorce without going to court?

Yes, if the spouses have no children: on their joint application to the civil registration office, the marriage is dissolved once one month has passed from the day the application was filed, provided it has not been withdrawn (Article 106 of the Family Code). On the application of one spouse, the civil registration office dissolves the marriage if the other spouse has been declared missing or incapable (Article 107 of the Family Code). Spouses who have children divorce through the courts — on a joint application (Article 109 of the Family Code) or on the claim of one of them (Article 110 of the Family Code).

Is property that one spouse owned before the marriage divided?

No. Property acquired before the marriage, and property received during the marriage as a gift or by inheritance, is in the private ownership of the spouse concerned (Article 57 of the Family Code). Property acquired by the spouses during the marriage is jointly owned by the wife and the husband (Article 60 of the Family Code). Where one spouse’s own money was contributed to buying property in addition to jointly owned money, that spouse has personal title to the share of the property equivalent to their contribution (part 7 of Article 57 of the Family Code).

How long do I have to divide property after a divorce?

While the marriage has not been dissolved, the limitation period does not apply to a claim for division of joint property. After the divorce, the limitation period is three years from the day on which the co-owner became or could have become aware of a violation of their property right (Article 72 of the Family Code).

From what age does a child decide where to live?

The place of residence of a child under ten is determined by agreement between the parents; from the age of ten, by joint agreement of the parents and the child. If the parents live apart, a child who has reached fourteen determines their place of residence themselves (Article 160 of the Family Code).

Can child support be agreed without going to court?

Yes. The parents may enter into a child support agreement setting the amount and timing of payments; its terms may not infringe the child’s rights. The agreement is made in writing and notarised, and if it is not performed, child support may be collected under an executive order of the notary (Article 189 of the Family Code).

Need legal assistance in a family matter? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and go through your situation with care.