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.
DIVORCE SERVICES
Divorce — This is the procedure for officially terminating marital rights and obligations between a man and a woman, concluded as a result of state registration of marriage.
In Ukraine, this procedure is regulated by the provisions of the Family Code of Ukraine, the Civil Procedure Code, and a number of subordinate regulatory legal acts.
Regardless of the motives, the divorce procedure has a clearly established procedure and legal consequences.
General principles and grounds
Ukrainian legislation provides for the right of each spouse to dissolve the marriage. If one of the spouses believes that living together is impossible, the marriage is subject to termination.
The court or the Civil Registry Office is not obliged to establish the guilt of one of the parties – the main criterion is the absence of a joint marital life and the desire to dissolve the marriage.
Divorce through the Civil Registry Office: an easy way for couples without children
The most simplified option is to submit a joint application to the state civil status registration authority. However, this procedure is only possible if the spouses do not have minor children together and both voluntarily agree to the divorce.
The procedure includes:
- Submission;
- Payment;
- Waiting a month for possible reconciliation;
- Registration of divorce and issuance of the corresponding certificate.
IMPORTANTLY: If one of the spouses cannot be present for good reasons, it is allowed to submit an application through a representative with a notarized power of attorney.
Judicial procedure: when you can’t do without a court
Grounds for going to court:
- one of the spouses does not agree to the divorce;
- there are common minor children;
- property or other disputes need to be resolved;
- Spouses are not able to submit a joint application to the Civil Registry Office.
The procedure for divorce through the court involves:
- preparation of a statement of claim (indicating the spouses’ data, the circumstances of the marriage, and the grounds for dissolution);
- filing a claim with the district court at the defendant’s place of residence;
- payment of court fees (in 2025 — 1211.20 UAH);
- case review: usually 1–3 court sessions;
- issuing a court decision, which enters into force after 30 days, if not appealed.
Complications: property disputes, children and alimony
If the spouses have common minor children, the court may additionally consider in the same case or in a separate case:
- who will the children stay with;
- procedure for communicating with the other parent;
- alimony obligations.
The court may:
- establish a meeting schedule with the other parent;
- oblige to pay alimony (as a percentage of income or as a fixed amount);
- determine the child’s place of residence.
Division of property
Property acquired during marriage is considered joint property.
Spouses can:
- to agree on a voluntary separation;
- apply to court with a corresponding claim.
Common property includes:
- real estate, transport, funds;
- business or corporate rights;
- household appliances and furniture.
Not subject to division:
- property acquired before marriage;
- gifts or inheritances;
- personal belongings intended for individual use.
Deadlines for considering cases
It all depends on the complexity of the case:
- Civil Registry Office — up to 30 days;
- Court without disputes — 1–3 months;
- Court with children and property claims — 3–6 months or longer.
Consequences of divorce
After the official dissolution of marriage, the parties lose:
- personal non-property rights and obligations;
- the right to a common surname (if desired);
- inheritance rights (unless provided for in the will);
- joint maintenance obligation (excluding alimony obligations).
Do I need a lawyer?
Although the law does not require you to consult a lawyer, his help significantly increases the chances for a positive result in the case of:
- property disputes;
- fighting for the child;
- lack of consent of the other party;
- representation in court without personal participation.
A lawyer will help:
- to properly prepare documents;
- gather evidence;
- to conduct negotiations;
- provide representation in court.
Psychological and social aspects of divorce
In addition to the legal component, divorce has significant psychological and social consequences for all participants in the process – spouses, children, relatives. It is often an emotionally difficult period, accompanied by stress, conflicts and feelings of loss.
In such cases, it is worth contacting a family psychologist or mediator who will help reduce tension, avoid escalating conflicts, and maintain constructive communication, especially when it comes to joint parenting.
Lawyers and/or mediators can also provide support in the case of a vulnerable spouse or children.
Conclusion
The process of divorce in Ukraine —This is a legally regulated procedure that can be carried out in a simplified or judicial manner, depending on the situation.
To protect your rights, preserve the interests of children, and avoid legal mistakes, it is advisable to contact a qualified lawyer or an attorney at Prikhodko & Partners Law Firm.
Calculate the cost of services
1 question
Have other lawyers been involved in your case?
2 question
Do you have minor children from marriage?
3 question
Is one of the parties a citizen of another state?
Is it necessary to divide property during divorce?
No, it is not necessary. The division of property can be carried out both during the marriage and after its dissolution.
You have the opportunity to conclude a notarial agreement on the division of property, which is a faster and easier way than going to court (but only if you do not have a dispute over the property). If you choose the judicial procedure (you have a dispute), you should not combine divorce and division of property into one court proceeding.
Regarding the statute of limitations, there is a common myth that you have only 3 years after the divorce to divide the property.
Yes, the statute of limitations is 3 years, but it begins to be counted not from the moment of divorce, but from the moment when you learned or could have learned about the violation of your property right.
Is it possible to divorce if "I" am abroad and cannot come
Yes, it is quite possible.
Even if you are outside of Ukraine, you can initiate and complete the divorce process. To do this, you will not need to personally attend court hearings or come to the civil registration authorities (Civil Registry Office).
The best option in this situation is to conclude an agreement with our lawyer who will be able to represent your interests. He will independently prepare all the necessary documents, submit them to the court and accompany the entire process from start to finish.
Thus, you do not have to waste time and money on travel, and all issues will be resolved by a qualified specialist.
This approach works even if both spouses are abroad. It is only important that one of the spouses is a citizen of Ukraine or the marriage is registered in Ukraine, as well as that you have the opportunity to contact us remotely to discuss all the details.
Thus, you can divorce remotely, while saving your time and nerves.
What to do if a man/woman is against divorce?
If one spouse is against the divorce, you can still end the marriage. It’s just that in this case, divorce through the registry office will not be possible – your option is the court.
You need to go to court with a statement of claim for divorce. In this case, the consent of the other spouse is not a prerequisite for divorce.
Since marriage is a voluntary union of a man and a woman, the lack of desire of one party to continue it is a sufficient reason for termination of family relations.
The court will consider your case, and even if the other party opposes it, it will decide to dissolve the marriage (the only thing is that it may take some time).
How long does a divorce through the court take?
The term of consideration of a divorce case through the court depends primarily on the specific court and the workload of the judge who will consider your case.
The law establishes general procedural deadlines, but in practice they can fluctuate significantly.
If the parties do not have disputes regarding property or children and both agree to divorce, the consideration can be completed relatively quickly – in a month and a half.
In cases where the defendant evades participation, the process can be delayed for several months or even longer.
Also, the timing is affected by factors such as the postponement of hearings (including due to air raid sirens), the submission of additional evidence, or the need to call witnesses (rarely in practice).
How to choose the method of divorce: the court or the registry office?
The choice between divorce through the registry office or the court depends on several key circumstances.
It is worth contacting the registry office if:
- You do not have any minor children together.
- Both spouses agree to divorce.
- You and your spouse are in Ukraine and have the opportunity (and desire) to appear in person, together at the registry office to file an application and register a divorce.
You need to apply to the court in the following cases:
- You have minor children together.
- One or both spouses do not agree to divorce.
- One or both spouses are abroad.
- You do not want to deal with this issue personally and want a lawyer to deal with the whole process.
Thus, if you meet all the criteria for the registry office, this will be the fastest and easiest way. In other cases, when at least one of the above circumstances is present, the marriage can be dissolved only in court.
You may also need:
Legal assistance in establishing disability
Read more
Confirmation of independent maintenance of the child
Read more
THE TRANSFER OF LAND BY INHERITANCE
Read more
REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE LAWYER
Read more
A court decision on independent upbringing and maintenance of a child as a basis for obtaining a deferment
Read more
APOSTILLE AND LEGALIZATION OF DOCUMENTS IN UKRAINE
Read more
Provision of care for children with disabilities in Ukraine
Read more
Establishing custody of the child
Read more
Support for registration of marriage with a military man
Read more
Appeal of inheritance contract
Read more
APOSTILLE ON THE DECISION OF THE COURT
Read more
Registration of a child born through reproductive medicine
Read morecall back
during the day
Telegram
Viber
WhatsApp
Facebook
Instagram