Legal matters in Türkiye for people living in Germany and elsewhere in Europe: divorce, recognition, inheritance, real estate and ongoing proceedings.
People living abroad often keep legal ties to Türkiye – through citizenship, family, property or an estate.
A divorce granted in Germany or another country does not automatically take effect in Türkiye, property in Türkiye is governed by Turkish law, and representation before Turkish courts and authorities requires a power of attorney in the proper form. These steps can be planned and handled from abroad.
For Turkish nationals without a domicile in Türkiye, the competent Turkish court is determined under Art. 41 MÖHUK. In a divorce by mutual consent, the court must hear the spouses in person; hearings are scheduled accordingly.
For a German divorce to be entered in the Turkish civil registry, court recognition proceedings or – where the requirements are met – administrative recognition are required.
Whether a foreign decision acquires res judicata effect or becomes enforceable in Türkiye is governed by Art. 50 et seq. MÖHUK.
Certificates of inheritance, disclaimers, transfer of title in the land registry and distribution of the estate can be handled in Türkiye under a power of attorney. Turkish law applies to immovable property in Türkiye.
Dissolution of co-ownership, land registry actions and disputes over tenancy and construction contracts can be followed from Germany.
Regular updates are provided on the status of court and enforcement proceedings; documents and meetings can largely be dealt with remotely.
The power of attorney can be executed at a Turkish consulate, or notarised by a German notary and used with an apostille and a certified Turkish translation.
Applications to increase or terminate maintenance, or concerning custody or contact, are assessed taking into account the parties’ living circumstances in Germany.
Matters governed by German or other foreign law – for example divorce proceedings before a German family court – should be handled by a lawyer admitted in that country.
Consultations take place online by video, by telephone or in person in Düsseldorf and are held in Turkish. Times are shown in both German and Turkish time.
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