Lexipedia

Divorce

Divorce legally ends a marriage and settles consequences such as property division, maintenance, parental responsibility, and pensions.

Divorce dissolves a valid marriage by court decision and regulates its legal consequences. In Switzerland spouses may divorce by joint request or, under conditions, on one spouse’s unilateral request. The court addresses matrimonial property, housing, maintenance between spouses, occupational pension splitting, parental responsibility, childcare, contact rights, and child support. Agreements are possible but are reviewed, especially where children or retirement assets are concerned. Divorce proceedings often require financial disclosure and may include interim measures while the case is pending.