Are you facing a separation or divorce in Geneva?
When the issues become urgent — children, housing, finances or severe tensions — you need to act quickly, methodically and without rushing.
If your situation is already fairly clear, you can also go directly to the Your situation section to identify the page that best matches your circumstances.
Divorce in Geneva: when separation is not your choice
You are facing a separation or a proposed divorce that you did not choose. Yet you are being asked to decide quickly: leave or stay, accept temporary arrangements for the children, or discuss money “to reach an agreement”.
This is often when lasting imbalances are created: leaving the family home under pressure, signing an agreement “to calm things down”, or postponing financial issues until later. My role is to help you regain your footing, restore order and make decisions at a pace that protects your interests.
Three priorities to clarify.
In most separation and divorce matters in Geneva, the first priorities revolve around three closely connected areas:
- •Children: custody, contact arrangements, holidays, practical organisation and communication with the other parent.
- •Housing: whether to stay or leave, tenancy or mortgage, allocation of expenses and the consequences of moving out.
- •Day-to-day finances: income and expenses, maintenance contributions and a realistic budget after separation.
Other questions may then arise, such as the division of assets, the family home, occupational pension arrangements — including the second pillar — as well as matters relating to health, work, residence status or domestic violence. The aim is not to resolve everything at once, but to establish a framework, address the right issues in the right order and move towards a stable, workable and defensible solution.
Separation or divorce: how should you respond?
Separation means that spouses stop living together while the marriage remains legally in force. This may involve a de facto separation, protective measures for the marital union or, in some cases, a judicial separation.
Divorce ends the marriage and the marital framework. It always requires a court decision, even where the spouses fully agree.
If your spouse talks about “separating” or “divorcing”, the appropriate response, timing and strategy are not the same. A personalised consultation helps clarify what you can accept, what you should refuse and which steps to take so that you do not simply have matters imposed on you.
Adapt the strategy to your situation
Every situation calls for a different approach: married or unmarried couple, with or without children, shared home or not, income disparities, pension issues, urgency or entrenched conflict.
The first step is to choose the right route: an amicable agreement, structured negotiation, protective measures or court proceedings if necessary.
Which situation best matches yours?
If separation is still uncertain, start with the Risk of separation page. If your spouse has already announced that they want a divorce, the My spouse wants a divorce page will help you establish the first points of reference. If discussions or proceedings are already under way, see Divorce proceedings in progress.
Recent separation
After the announcement, we clarify what needs to be done now — children, housing and finances — and what should not be rushed.
View the optionsConflict or deadlock
When discussions go round in circles or become aggressive, we restore a framework, set boundaries and identify your room for manoeuvre without fuelling escalation.
View the optionsUrgency or protective measures
When a decision is needed immediately to protect your children, your home or your finances, we activate the appropriate protective measures.
View the options
A practice rooted in Geneva
Admitted to the Geneva Bar, I handle separation and divorce matters, particularly where significant financial and asset-related issues are involved. I am also the author of the website "SOS Divorce", online since 2012, which aims to make divorce law easier for the public to understand.
Learn more about the firmA simple, decision-focused approach
You did not choose this situation.
But you can still decide how to manage it.
Strategic consultation — CHF 200
This consultation allows you to take stock of your situation in a structured way, clarify your priorities and define an initial realistic strategy.
You leave with an overall view and a follow-up email summarising the key points.
You therefore have a clear understanding of your situation and the decisions that need to be made.
When certain points require more in-depth work — for example, a precise maintenance assessment or a full review of a case file — this is identified immediately, together with the next steps.
The appointment is booked through a secure form, allowing you to reserve a time slot quickly and briefly present your situation.
What you receive:
- A clear and structured assessment of your situation
- A realistic strategy — agreement, protective measures or proceedings — adapted to your circumstances
- Concrete next steps in order of priority
- A clear understanding of what can be decided immediately and what requires further analysis
If you then decide to instruct me, depending on your needs, we can: prepare the case in detail, negotiate an agreement and/or conduct the proceedings.
You can review the firm’s fees and terms of engagement before booking.
Key areas
The most common issues in separation and divorce matters in Geneva:
Children: custody and contact — a stable, defensible framework
Organisation of custody, contact arrangements, holidays and communication between parents, with the child’s best interests and day-to-day feasibility as the guiding principles.
Housing and practical arrangements — high-impact decisions
Whether to stay in or leave the family home, allocation of expenses, consequences for the tenancy or mortgage and the practical organisation of separate living arrangements.
Maintenance contributions — entitlement, calculation, negotiation and adjustment
Where there is an entitlement to maintenance, the amount must be calculated and adjusted according to income, expenses and actual needs, based on documented figures.
Division of assets and pensions — property, second pillar and allocation
Division of assets, consideration of occupational pension arrangements — particularly the second pillar — and other financial elements, in order to avoid waiving rights or overlooking matters that could be detrimental in the long term.
Protective measures for the marital union and urgent situations
Where a rapid decision is required before divorce — arrangements for the children, access to the family home, provisional maintenance or protection in situations involving severe tensions or violence — protective measures for the marital union allow a provisional framework to be established by court order.
Amicable agreement or litigation — choosing the realistic route
Assess whether it is preferable to pursue a structured agreement or initiate proceedings, taking into account the level of conflict, the issues involved, each person’s health and the human and financial cost.
To go beyond these general answers and examine your specific circumstances, a strategic consultation provides a structured opportunity to take stock of the situation.
View the situations that concern you→Frequently asked questions — Divorce and separation in Geneva
Clear answers to the questions most commonly asked during a separation or divorce.
Take stock with clarity
A first step is often enough to regain control. A strategic consultation, by appointment, allows you to restore order, set priorities and make sound decisions.
Law firm in Geneva
Opening hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 — closed Saturday and Sunday
The information provided on this website is general and does not replace advice tailored to your circumstances.
To book an initial consultation, use the Contact and strategic consultation page.
Go to the contact page→