Family
Family Act divorce with mandatory child arrangements
The 2005 Family Act governs marriage, parentage and maintenance. Divorce requires the court to find that relations are seriously disturbed and permanently broken, and the court must simultaneously decide custody and maintenance for minor children.
Key rules
- Divorce and the arrangements for minor children are decided in the same judgment.
- Both parents owe maintenance, with a statutory minimum linked to the subsistence amount.
- Undivided co-ownership of spouses arises on marriage over most acquisitions.
- Same-sex marriage and registered partnership are not recognised.
Governing law
- Family Act (36/2005)Marriage, parentage and maintenance.
- Civil Non-Contentious Procedure Code (161/2015)Family procedure.
- Civil Code (40/1964)Matrimonial property.
In practice
Because custody and maintenance are decided with the divorce, agreeing them in advance and asking the court to approve the agreement is much faster than contesting.