Head of family law practice

An attorney with extensive experience specializing in complex family disputes. As Head of Practice, he combines deep legal expertise with a personalized approach to every client. He ensures strategic protection of family interests and delivers impeccable results in the most challenging cases.

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Declaration of a missing person

Declaration of a missing person

Declaring a person missing is an important legal process. This procedure allows you to establish the legal status of a person who has been missing for a long time and to resolve the legal consequences for their relatives, property, and other legal aspects.

The concept of missing persons

A missing person is a situation where a person’s whereabouts are unknown for a long period of time and there is no way to establish their whereabouts. Such disappearance may be voluntary or involuntary due to military action, disasters, crimes, mental disorders, or other circumstances.

Recognizing a person as missing is important for their family and society. It allows loved ones to resolve legal issues related to property, inheritance, social benefits, and other aspects.

It is worth understanding the difference between missing and deceased

Missing and deceased are two different legal statuses that have their own characteristics and consequences.

Missing person – this is the status of a person whose whereabouts have not been known for a long time.

Signs of a missing person:

  • Lack of information about the person’s whereabouts.
  • There is no confirmation of the person’s death.
  • A missing person report has been filed with law enforcement.

Dead – this is the status of a person whose death has been officially certified.

Signs of a deceased person:

  • Availability of a death certificate or a court decision declaring the person deceased.
  • The fact of a person’s death is legally established.

The procedure for declaring a person missing consists of several stages:

  1. Contacting the police or authorities
    If a person goes missing, the first thing to do is to notify law enforcement agencies that are conducting a search. The police will register a missing person report and begin a search.
  2. Filing a claim with the court
    If the search is unsuccessful and the person’s whereabouts remain unknown for more than one year, interested parties (relatives, guardians, legal entities) may file an application with the court to declare them missing.

The application must indicate:

  • circumstances of the disappearance;
  • the date and place of the person’s last known whereabouts;
  • evidence confirming the fact of disappearance (police responses, statements from relatives, documents).
  1. Trial
    The court considers the evidence provided, hears witnesses and makes a decision. If it is established that the person’s whereabouts have been unknown for more than a year and there is no evidence of their death, the court declares them missing.
  2. Legal consequences
    After the court decision is made:
  • A person’s property may be transferred to the management of relatives or state authorities;
  • relatives can receive social benefits (pensions, benefits);

In order to declare a person missing in court, certain evidence must be collected and presented to the court.

The list of evidence depends on the specific circumstances of the person’s disappearance, but usually includes the following:

  1. Documents:
  • A missing person report was filed with the police.
  • Police certificate on registration of a missing person report.
  • Documents proving the identity of the missing person (passport, birth certificate, etc.).
  • Documents confirming the applicant’s family ties with the missing person (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, etc.).
  1. Witness statements:
  • Testimony from persons who last saw the missing person or have any information about his disappearance.
  • Testimony from neighbors, work colleagues, friends, and relatives of the missing person.
  1. Other evidence:
  • Photos and videos of the missing person.
  • Correspondence of the missing person (electronic, regular).
  • Information about the location of the missing person (phone geolocation, data from surveillance cameras, etc.).
  • Certificates from medical institutions if the missing person had health problems.
  • Other documents or materials that may help in clarifying the circumstances of the disappearance of a person.
It will also be useful: Declaring a relative missing

Peculiarities of missing persons in wartime

The war in Ukraine has significantly increased the number of missing persons. In 2022, a law was passed that provides for:

  • creation of a Unified Register of Persons Missing in Special Circumstances;
  • the possibility for relatives to obtain a certificate of missing person for social benefits;
  • simplified trial procedure.

Recognizing a person as missing is an important legal mechanism that helps to resolve the legal consequences of a person’s absence. It protects the interests of relatives and provides them with social support.

внесення змін до ліцензії

Contacting a lawyer is important because he or she will help:

  1. Collect evidence (police inquiries, testimonies, medical documents).
  2. Fill out an application to court correctly to avoid rejection.
  3. Represent interests in court, to protect the rights of the applicant.
  4. Settle property issues (property management, inheritance, debts).
  5. Issue social benefits for relatives (pension, assistance).

A lawyer simplifies the process and increases the chances of a positive decision.

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1 question

Do you have reason to believe that your relative is missing?

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No

2 question

Do you need a court decision on the disappearance of the missing person for further action?

Yes
No

3 question

Have you contacted law enforcement or judicial authorities?

Yes
No

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Family law

A claim for guardianship A court decision on independent upbringing and maintenance of a child as a basis for obtaining a deferment A guardianship lawyer A lawsuit to declare a person incapable A statement of claim for recognition of a person as having lost the right to use residential premises A statement of claim for the recognition of a person with limited legal capacity A statement of claim to declare a person incapable Accompaniment of a lawyer in the children’s service Accompanying a person who needs constant care abroad Adoption of an adult Adoption of the wife’s child from the first marriage Agreement on maintenance and education of a child Agreement on the division of marital property Annulment of birth certificate Apostille and consular legalization of inheritance documents APOSTILLE AND LEGALIZATION OF DOCUMENTS IN UKRAINE Apostille for death certificate Apostille on the birth certificate APOSTILLE ON THE DECISION OF THE COURT Apostille on the marriage certificate Appeal against a court decision on divorce Appeal against the decision of the Medical and social expert commission Appeal against the refusal to register permanent care Appeal of inheritance contract Appealing a court decision on deprivation of parental rights Appealing the decisions and actions of the notary when registering the inheritance Applying for a deferment for a guardian of a person with a disability Arrange permanent care for an elderly person Automatic acceptance of inheritance Care on a non-professional basis for parents Certificate of child maintenance by stepfather Certificate of establishment of the fact of providing care for obtaining a deferral Certificate of last place of residence of the deceased CERTIFICATE OF PARENTS OF A LARGE FAMILY AS A BASIS FOR CROSSING THE BORDER CERTIFICATE OF THE FATHER OF MANY CHILDREN IF CHILDREN ARE FROM DIFFERENT MARRIAGES Challenge a will Change of surname to maiden name after divorce Changing a child’s last name during adoption Changing the child’s last name Changing the child’s surname without the consent of the father Changing the surname of a child up to 14 years old Claim for property division COLLECTION OF ALIMONY Collection of alimony from a person residing abroad Collection of alimony from seafarers abroad Conclusion of a marriage contract CONCLUSION OF THE CONTRACT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD AND DETERMINATION OF THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE Conclusion of the MAC on the need for permanent external care Confirmation of independent maintenance of the child Constant care for a wife with disability group II Consultation of a lawyer on issues of surrogacy in Ukraine Contesting paternity and excluding information from the child’s birth record Contesting the gift contract Crossing the border on the basis of the act of establishing the fact of providing care Custody of the property of a person who is recognized as missing Declaration of a missing person Declaring a relative missing Deferral from mobilization based on the conclusion of the MAC Deprivation of parental rights Deprivation of parental rights abroad Deprivation of the mother’s parental rights Dissolution of marriage at the registry office or through the court Distribution of property upon divorce in Ukraine Division of foreign assets upon divorce Division of marital property: Crypto assets Division of property in case of divorce DIVISION OF PROPERTY IN DIVORCE DIVORCE Divorce if one of the spouses disappeared during hostilities Divorce online DIVORCE SERVICES Divorce without the presence of one of the spouses Establishing a legal fact in court in accordance with Ukrainian legislation Establishing custody of the child Establishing guardianship over a child through the court Establishing or challenging paternity Establishing paternity after the death of a military person Establishing paternity through the court Establishing the fact of child maintenance ESTABLISHING THE FACT OF DEATH IN TEMPORARY OCCUPATED TERRITORIES Establishing the fact of family relations Establishing the fact of family relationships to receive compensation in connection with the death of a serviceman Establishing the fact of family ties through the court Establishing the fact of living as one family Establishing the fact of living in the same family with the testator Establishing the fact of non-acceptance of inheritance Establishing the fact of paternity Establishing the fact of paternity after death Establishing the fact that the child is maintained by the stepfather Establishing the order of participation in raising a child ESTABLISHMENT OF FUNDS AND TRUSTS Establishment of guardianship Establishment of guardianship in court Establishment of guardianship over a disabled person of the 2nd group Establishment of guardianship over an elderly person Establishment of guardianship over an incapacitated person Establishment of guardianship over the mother Establishment of guardianship over the property of an incapacitated person Establishment of the fact of independent upbringing of the child by the father Estate Litigation Attorney Exemption from paying alimony Extension of the deadline for accepting an inheritance Family lawyer in Germany: protecting the interests of ukrainian citizens FAMILY LAWYER IN ITALY FOR UKRAINIANS Family mediation (mediation in family disputes) Fast increasing the amount of child support Gift agreement between relatives Gift agreement for a minor child Guardianship of an incapacitated person Guardianship of disabled parents Guardianship over parents as a basis for postponement Heritage with a foreign element How to establish the fact of residence by one family? Inheritance disputes Inheritance in Ukraine for Ukrainian citizens living abroad Inheritance lawyer abroad INHERITANCE OF BANK DEPOSITS Invalidation of a marriage Issuance of duplicate certificates and extracts from the Civil Registry Office Legal support for marriage registration in Ukraine Legal support for the adoption of a child Legal support of surrogate motherhood Legalization of a divorce certificate issued abroad Legalization of a marriage concluded abroad Legalization of a marriage concluded in Poland Making changes to the act record of the birth of a child Marriage certificate abroad Marriage contract Marriage contract with a foreigner MARRIAGE DISSOLUTION SERVICES ABROAD Marriage registration under martial law Notarized agreement on child support and upbringing Obtaining a border crossing permit in EU countries for minor children OBTAINING A CERTIFICATE OF A FATHER WITH MANY CHILDREN Obtaining a certificate of MAC on permanent care Obtaining a certificate of marital status Obtaining a death certificate Obtaining a duplicate birth certificate Obtaining a marriage certificate again Obtaining a MSEC certificate of disability Obtaining the conclusion of the Medical Advisory Committee: stages, necessary documents and step-by-step legal assistance Obtaining the MAC Conclusion in form 080-4/o Permanent care for a disabled person of the 1st group Permanent care for a disabled person of the 2nd group as a basis for postponement Permanent care for an elderly person. Postponement Probate lawyer PROCEDURE FOR CARE OF THE DISABLED GROUP 2 Procedure for establishing guardianship Proving the fact of maintenance of an illegitimate child Provision of care for children with disabilities in Ukraine Receiving an inheritance in Ukraine if you are abroad Receiving compensation by the heir for damaged or destroyed property Recognition of a foreign divorce decree in Ukraine Recognition of a person as incapable and appointment of a guardian RECOGNITION OF A PERSON AS MISSING OR DECEASED Recognition of a person as partially disabled Recognition of inheritance as dead Recognition of ownership rights over the deceased Recognition of paternity for the collection of alimony abroad Recognition of paternity through the State Civil Registry Office Recognition of the right to inheritance Reduction of alimony Refusal of inheritance in favor of another person Registration of a child born through reproductive medicine REGISTRATION OF A DONATION (DONATION AGREEMENT) Registration of care for a father: algorithm of actions Registration of care on a non-professional basis Registration of divorce abroad Registration of guardianship over a disabled child Registration of guardianship over a disabled person of the 1st group Registration of guardianship over a disabled person of the 2nd group Registration of guardianship over an elderly person Registration of inheritance Registration of inheritance in the occupied territory REGISTRATION OF PERMANENT CARE – 2025 Registration of permanent care for the wife REGISTRATION OF PERMISSION FOR THE CHILD TO GO ABROAD FROM ONE OF THE PARENTS Registration of the birth of a child in the occupied territory Registration of the birth of a child in the surrogate motherhood program in Ukraine Reissue of marriage certificate Removal of seizure from immovable property in an inheritance case Renewal of parental rights Renewal of permanent care Renewal of the birth certificate Representation in the guardianship and guardianship authorities REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE LAWYER Restriction of parental rights Return of the child to the parents Returning a child to parents from social services abroad Setting a schedule of visits with your child Statement of claim for collection of alimony for a child Statement of claim for deprivation of parental rights Statement of claim for the adoption of a child Statement of claim for the removal of seizure from inherited property Support for divorce in Poland Support for registration of marriage with a military man Support in determining the place of residence of a child with his biological father Surname change after marriage with a foreigner Termination of parental rights by father’s consent THE TRANSFER OF LAND BY INHERITANCE THE TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE TO INHERITANCE Travel abroad of a guardian of a disabled child Travel abroad of a guardian of an incapacitated person Turnkey divorce URGENT DIVORCE Voluntary relinquishment of parental rights