Getting divorced in Germany – with one lawyer instead of two, and agreements you shape together
is always decided by the family court – and it cannot be done entirely without a lawyer: under German law (§ 114 FamFG), the divorce petition has to be filed by a lawyer. The key point, however, is that only one of the two spouses needs a lawyer. I am not a lawyer myself – for legal questions, I work with experienced family lawyers who can advise you.
If you agree on all the consequences of your divorce beforehand – maintenance, assets, custody and contact, pension equalisation – one lawyer is enough to file the petition, and the other spouse simply consents in court. Mediation helps you reach exactly this kind of agreement, fairly and in a structured way.
For international and binational couples in Munich, I offer divorce mediation in English – so that you can understand every step and decide for yourselves.
At a glance
Who it is for
Couples in Germany who want to divorce amicably – including international and binational couples.
How it works
Free initial consultation, mediation sessions, written agreement – then one lawyer files the petition.
Costs
€150 per hour plus VAT – or adjusted to your means. The initial consultation (30 minutes) is free.
Where
In Munich (Maximiliansplatz 9), in Rosenheim/Bruckmühl (Am Bruckfeld 10) or online via video call.
a process in which we first give your individual situation a clear structure. I offer you a safe and confidential setting in which you can raise the issues that matter to you. Your perspective and your partner’s carry equal weight. I make sure that each of you feels understood – understanding does not mean agreeing, and you each keep your own view.
Mediation in English for couples in Munich – whether one or both of you are more at home in another language.
Agree on custody, contact and child maintenance in a way that works for your children.
In the example calculation in my guide, an amicable divorce with mediation cost around €7,686 – a contested divorce around €11,142. Read the full calculation (in German) · Work out your own costs
In a contested divorce, both spouses hire their own lawyers, and disputes over maintenance, custody or assets can drag on for years. With mediation, you work out the consequences of your divorce yourselves – before going to court.
No – in Germany the divorce petition has to be filed by a lawyer. But only one of the two spouses needs one, as long as you agree on the consequences of the divorce, for example after a mediation with a written agreement.
Maintenance (for a spouse and for children), the division of assets (home, household goods, accounts), custody and contact, and pension equalisation – or agreeing to exclude it.
Yes – that is a good time. As a rule, a divorce is only possible after one year of separation (§ 1565 BGB). You can use this time to settle maintenance, housing and childcare calmly.
The hourly rate for a divorce mediation is €150 plus VAT – or adjusted to your means. The initial consultation (30 minutes) is free of charge and without obligation. You can find an example calculation in my guide: costs of divorce mediation compared (in German). Or work out your own figures with my divorce cost calculator.
Sessions usually last 90 minutes; how many you need depends on your issues. In the example in my guide, the divorce is final after around 4–6 months. With an amicable divorce, the court hearing usually takes only 15–30 minutes.
One lawyer is enough to file the petition. But I recommend that each of you has the agreement checked by your own advisory lawyer before signing – so that you both know what you are agreeing to. I work closely with experienced family lawyers and am happy to put you in touch – for advice as well as for filing the divorce petition after the mediation.
Yes. Sessions can take place in English or German – and if one of you is more comfortable in German and the other in English, we can find a way that works for both of you.
Yes. I work with couples and families in person in Munich (Maximiliansplatz 9) and Rosenheim/Bruckmühl (Am Bruckfeld 10), or online via video call.
In cases of domestic violence or a strong imbalance of power, legal representation is more important. Mediation is also difficult if one partner is not willing to disclose information or refuses any cooperation.
Yes. If it turns out not to be the right approach for you, you can still go the conventional route with lawyers at any time.
In a free initial consultation, we clarify whether mediation is right for your situation – confidentially, without obligation, in Munich, Rosenheim or online.
