Family Law and Recognition and Enforcement

Family matters may require a combined assessment of personal relationships, the position of children, financial consequences and the effect of judgments issued in different countries. In cross-border cases, service of process, foreign judgments and documents, and Turkish civil registry records require particular attention.

• Uncontested and contested divorce proceedings
• Custody, contact and child-related interim measures
• Interim, child and spousal maintenance
• Pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation claims
• Liquidation of the matrimonial property regime and participation claims
• Paternity, parentage and civil registry disputes
• Family home and protective or preventive measures
• Recognition or enforcement of foreign divorce and family judgments
• Registration of foreign judgments in Turkish civil records

Depending on the type of foreign judgment, an administrative registration or court decision may be required for it to have effect in Türkiye. Finality, proper service, apostille or certification, translation and the substance of the decision are reviewed. Recognition concerns the judgment’s res judicata effect, while enforcement permits enforceable orders to be implemented in Türkiye.

• In family matters, particular care is given to the best interests of children, the confidentiality of personal data and communication that does not unnecessarily intensify the dispute.