Family & Personal Law
Family Law in Türkiye for Foreign Nationals
Family law matters are among the most personal and consequential legal issues anyone can face — and when they involve a foreign legal system, the complexity multiplies. Turkish family law, governed by the Turkish Civil Code, has its own rules on marriage, divorce, child custody, alimony, and property division that may differ substantially from what you know.
At Yilmaz Attorneys, we represent foreign nationals and mixed-nationality couples in family law proceedings across Türkiye. We understand the emotional weight of these cases and provide clear, practical legal guidance throughout.
Divorce in Türkiye
Turkish law recognizes both contested and uncontested divorce. For foreign nationals married in Türkiye — or with a spouse residing in Türkiye — Turkish courts generally have jurisdiction over the divorce proceedings.
Uncontested divorce requires both spouses to agree on all terms, including property division, custody, and financial support. The court reviews the agreement and can finalize the divorce in a single hearing.
Contested divorce requires establishing one of the legal grounds recognized under Turkish law:
Adultery
Threat to life, cruel or degrading treatment
Criminal conduct or dishonorable lifestyle
Desertion
Mental illness
Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage
We handle the full divorce process: filing the petition, representing you in hearings, negotiating terms, and ensuring the final judgment is properly issued and — where needed — recognized abroad.
Child Custody & Visitation
In Turkish divorce proceedings, the court determines custody based on the best interests of the child. Key considerations include:
The child's age and emotional needs
Each parent's living situation and capacity to provide care
The child's established routine and social environment
The child's own preference (for older children)
For international families, custody disputes can involve questions about which country's courts have jurisdiction and whether a custody order will be recognized across borders. We also handle cases involving the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, representing parents seeking the return of a child wrongfully removed to or retained in Türkiye.
Alimony & Financial Support
Turkish law provides for several types of financial support:
Temporary alimony (tedbir nafakası) — Paid during divorce proceedings to the financially weaker spouse or for child support.
Post-divorce alimony (yoksulluk nafakası) — Ongoing support for a spouse who will fall into financial hardship after the divorce.
Child support (ıştirak nafakası) — Contribution to the costs of raising the child, paid by the non-custodial parent.
Compensatory damages — Material and moral compensation may be awarded to the spouse who is less at fault for the divorce.
Property Division
Unless a prenuptial agreement specifies otherwise, Turkish law applies a regime of shared acquired property (edinilmiş mallara katılma rejimi). This means assets acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally upon divorce. Property owned before the marriage or received as inheritance or gift remains with the original owner.
For foreign nationals who own property in Türkiye, the intersection of Turkish property law and family law requires careful analysis to protect your assets.
Recognition of Foreign Judgments
If you obtained a divorce or custody order abroad and need it recognized in Türkiye — or if you have a Turkish judgment that needs enforcement in another country — we handle the recognition and enforcement proceedings (tanima ve tenfiz) before Turkish courts.
Other Family Law Matters
Beyond divorce, we assist with:
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Legal separation
Paternity claims
Adoption proceedings
Name changes
Guardianship applications
Protection orders in domestic violence situations
Why Work with Yilmaz Attorneys
Family law cases involving foreign nationals require sensitivity, clear communication, and an understanding of how different legal systems interact. Our clients often face the additional stress of navigating these deeply personal matters in a foreign country and a foreign language. We provide straightforward legal counsel in English, manage the court process on your behalf, and work to protect both your rights and your family's wellbeing.
If you are facing a family law matter in Türkiye, contact us for a confidential consultation.
