PRACTICE GROUPS
Family
Each family is different and so is each separation. Our specialists take into account the interaction between legal provisions, financial circumstances, psychological aspects and the cultural heritage of the individuals, so as to give adequate assistance to our clients during the difficult times of a separation or divorce. We also anticipate issues that might only arise in the future by involving all the stakeholders concerned and we develop strategies that last – in the interest of the family.
With solid legal experience and a deep understanding of our clients’ personal and economic constraints, our specialists assist in minor disputes as well as in highly sensitive situations, establishing effective legal strategies and taking into consideration the various possibilities of legal or amicable solutions in Switzerland and abroad.
We advise clients who wish to enter into prenuptial, postnuptial or life agreements as well as LGBTQIA+ couples on the legal aspects of founding a family.
We litigate before all Swiss courts as well as the European Court of Human Rights and negotiate out-of-court settlements on behalf of the family members.
Our large international network gives us direct access to the most experienced lawyers specializing in family law in the majority of the world’s jurisdictions.
Our team works in French, English and German.
Under Swiss law, prenuptial agreements and agreements formed while married offer three main options for the marital property regime.
It is also possible to adopt other agreements that regulate the effects of the marriage or anticipate a potential separation. Couples may enter into a variety of agreements to plan their future independently, contributing to more predictable and thus more peaceful results in case of separation.
Our team benefits from experience in family estate planning in the context of marriage, birth, divorce or separation. We advise our clients on the various legal solutions pertaining to marriage and provide negotiation strategies and examples of successful contracts.
No two separations are alike. Our family law department helps our clients through the difficult period of a separation or divorce, analyses the relevant statutory provisions that are applicable and shares its expertise. Our specialists benefit from solid experience in both complex litigation and negotiating intelligent agreements. In urgent situations, our team is ready to take action quickly and effectively.
We advise clients on custody rights, maintenance payments, asset tracing and possible asset freezing tactics. Our experts work as a team with legal specialists abroad, private detectives, financial advisors and accountants.
We help our clients to maintain solid and healthy family ties for the years to come, also in the event of the parents’ separation. Under Swiss law, courts are obliged to investigate the children’s wellbeing, even if an agreements has been reached by the parties. Our team will advise you on child protection measures, custody rights, adoption, surrogacy, legal guardianship and cases of abduction.
We assist our clients in cases of domestic violence, abduction, child neglect, unpaid child support and criminal interference with a parents’ access rights. If necessary, our teams specializing in criminal law and family law will work together closely.
Adults with an impairment or insufficiency of their personal faculties are not in a position to protect their interests. The competent authorities may therefore limit such persons’ rights and liberties by appointing a guardian or by placing them in a home. These measures are to respect the adults’ interests and assets, and allow them keeping as much self-determination as possible.
Our team helps adults with difficulties as well as their family members to verify that any taken measures are proportionate and in line with legal safeguards.
