Family Law

A French expatriate can divorce abroad or in France depending on their situation. The court with jurisdiction and the applicable law depend on residence and nationality. A divorce pronounced abroad must then be recognized in France to take effect. Indeed, getting...

The matrimonial regime is not fixed. Spouses can change it to protect themselves better or organise their assets. The procedure is done before a notary and, in some cases, before a judge. It takes effect after a delay. 1. Why change the matrimonial regime? Changing...

French law does not recognise an independent status for the step-parent. They do not hold parental authority, unless a judge delegates it. They may, however, keep ties with the child in the child's interest. With the rise of blended families, the role of stepparents...

French law recognises the parenthood of LGBTQIA+ families: marriage, adoption, assisted reproduction open to all women, joint acknowledgement. Recent reforms have secured the filiation of children born from these parental projects. This article outlines the key...

The supervised visitation centre is a neutral place where a parent exercises their visitation right under the supervision of professionals. The judge orders it when the family context requires, to protect the child while keeping the bond. This special measure is...

Moving abroad as a family changes the rules applying to custody, parental authority and any divorce. The country of residence often becomes the one with jurisdiction. Anticipating these effects avoids disputes if a separation happens abroad. Here are the main points...

Direct payment allows an unpaid maintenance to be recovered by deducting it directly from the debtor's salary or account. The procedure is fast and is set up by a bailiff, without a new trial. It covers recent arrears. Relatively unknown to the general public, it is...

Annulment erases the marriage as if it had never existed, unlike divorce. It requires a serious defect: lack of consent, bigamy, forced marriage. The application is made before the judicial court. Marriage is a fundamental legal act that establishes a couple’s union...

Until the divorce is pronounced, spouses owe each other support. The judge may require the better-off spouse to pay maintenance to the other during the proceedings. It stops at the judgment, when the compensatory allowance takes over. It is a cornerstone of marital...

When evidence is lacking, the family affairs judge can order investigative measures: social inquiry, psychological assessment, hearing. They help the judge assess the child's situation and the parents' abilities before deciding. These measures, which must respect...