Category Archives: Family Law
Nirvana
In the child custody case of an American family that I am litigating before the Kaiserslautern Family Court, the opposing lawyer in her brief lists all the places that the family have lived at since they married: It took me … Continue reading
FAQ on Military Divorce in Germany
As you know, I am a lawyer in Germany and I specialize in international family law. But did you know how I got into family law in the first place? I grew up in Amberg, which used to have a … Continue reading
Marriage makes stupid
Zur deutschen Fassung. As a divorce lawyer, I never tire of singing the praises of single life and trumpeting the dangers of marriage. Unfortunately, no one ever listens to me. Instead, people continue to walk down the aisle, towards doom … Continue reading
How much does Child Custody cost?
A potential client is trying to convince me to take on her case, listing the reasons why she should have child custody. “I have a house, I have a car, my ex doesn’t have anything,” she says, among other equally … Continue reading
FAQ on International Child Abduction – updated 2025
I have noticed that I receive many e-mails with the same questions, so I have started to post the most frequent questions – and of course the answers to them – for everyone to read. For free, can you believe that?! … Continue reading
A Divorce between the Peaks of the Balkans
Zur deutschen Fassung. The client wants a divorce. She has been separated for more than 15 years. Back then, the husband disappeared. No contact ever since. “Somewhere in the Balkans,” she says, “Kosovo, Montenegro, around there. He is making damn … Continue reading
How to deal with disorganized clients
A lady who already displayed some warning signs wanted me to advise her about a child custody case in Germany. In the following conversation, I am the part in dark blue. I haven’t heard from her again. By the way, … Continue reading
10 FAQ on Divorce in Germany
I have noticed that I receive many e-mails with the same questions, so I have started to post the most frequent questions – and of course the answers – for everyone to read. For free, can you believe that?! As these … Continue reading
Quite some Drama
Pro tip: Whenver a woman e-mails on behalf of her boyfriend, most likely unknowingly, and refers to the boyfriend as “fiance”, expect some drama. And expect only half of the story. At most. Although this half is confusing enough. Okay … Continue reading
German Law: What happens to Children when the Parents die?
Recently, parents seem to be thinking about their possible early demise, because I have been getting this question more frequently: “What will happen to our children if we, mother and father, were to die?” I don’t know why people are … Continue reading
The Happy Hermit 