Family Law
Family law matters are often emotional and complex. We support you with objectivity and sensitivity — in separation, divorce, custody, maintenance and child protection.
What we do for you.
Divorce & Separation
Guidance through divorce and separation proceedings — uncontested or contested.
Custody & Care
Representation in matters of parental responsibility, care and contact rights.
Maintenance
Calculation and enforcement of child and spousal maintenance in line with current court practice.
Matrimonial Property
Division of matrimonial property, marital agreements and asset allocation.
Child Protection & KESB
Representation in KESB proceedings, deputyships and child protection measures.
Cohabitation & Partnership
Legal protection for cohabiting couples and registered partnerships.For your situation.
Family Law in Switzerland
Family law proceedings concern what matters most: children, housing, finances and plans for the future. We advise and represent you in all areas of Swiss family law — from an initial assessment through out-of-court settlement to representation before courts and authorities. Our offices in Wil SG (Villa India), Teufen AR and Zurich and at our correspondence office in Gossau SG are easy to reach; meetings by video are also possible.
Parental Responsibility, Care and Contact
Joint parental responsibility is the rule in Switzerland (Art. 296 para. 2 Swiss Civil Code). It must be distinguished from day-to-day care and from contact rights (Art. 273 Swiss Civil Code). Whether alternating care is workable depends on the specific circumstances: distance between homes, working hours, the children's age. We develop care arrangements that hold up in everyday life and represent you where no agreement can be reached.
Maintenance
Child maintenance comprises financial support and a care-related component (Art. 276 and 285 Swiss Civil Code). The care-related component does not replace the caring parent's salary; it covers the living costs they cannot meet themselves because they are caring for the child. Swiss courts apply a uniform two-step calculation method with surplus allocation: first the subsistence minimum of all involved is determined, then any surplus is distributed according to established principles. For spousal maintenance (Art. 125 Swiss Civil Code), the duration of the marriage, the division of roles and re-entry into employment are central. We prepare robust calculations and enforce maintenance claims — or defend against excessive demands.
Matrimonial Property and Assets
Without a marital agreement, the regime of participation in acquired property applies (Art. 181 Swiss Civil Code). On divorce the regime is liquidated: assets acquired during the marriage are in principle divided equally, while individual property is excluded. Merely living apart, by contrast, does not automatically dissolve the regime — that requires a judicial separation or a court-ordered separation of property, which takes effect retroactively to the day of the application (Art. 176 para. 1 no. 3 and Art. 204 para. 2). Anyone who separates in fact and takes no further step continues to acquire property that will later have to be divided. Matters become complex with business holdings, real estate or pension fund withdrawals. We ensure a clean property settlement and draft marital agreements that prevent later disputes.
Child Protection and the KESB
Where a child protection measure is under consideration (Art. 307 et seq. Swiss Civil Code), prompt and considered action is essential. We represent parents and relatives in proceedings before the Child and Adult Protection Authority (KESB) and the judicial appeal bodies.
How We Work
We first clarify your objectives and the legal starting position. Where an amicable solution is possible, we pursue it — it is usually faster, less costly and easier on children. Where negotiation or litigation is required, we represent your interests with determination.
