Sirin Yuce contributes to Bilan Magazine's Guide Droit 2026, considering separation and divorce processes in Switzerland
min readMarriage can sometimes lead to a significant modification in living standards of a spouse. In such case, when a separation occurs, strategic considerations, in particular of financial nature, can lead to the refusal by a spouse to grant the divorce.
In fact, in the absence of an agreement on the principle of divorce, Swiss law requires a two-year separation period before a divorce can be filed unilaterally – a framework that gives often rise to strategic behaviour.
Sirin Yüce, Partner in our Family team, considers some of these challenges in Bilan Magazine:
When spouses cannot reach an agreement, Swiss law requires a two-year period of separation before either spouse can file for divorce unilaterally. During this two-year period, any dispute arising from the separation may be resolved through a legal procedure known as ‘protective measures for the marital union’.
Read the full article in Bilan Magazine here (in French, subscription required).
