Getting a divorce in Cyprus is a process that involves following specific legal procedures and regulations set out in the national legislation.

Legal framework for divorce in Cyprus

Cypriot law provides for several ways to dissolve a marriage: through the courts, by mutual consent or by reason of “separation”. According to Cyprus family law, divorce is only possible if the spouses have resided in the country for a certain period of time, which is confirmed by the fact of their residence in Cyprus. Generally, a divorce action requires that at least one of the spouses has been in the island for the last 12 months.

The main act governing divorces is the Divorce Law of 1991, which details the rules for dissolution of marriage in Cyprus. According to this law, divorce can be initiated on the following grounds:

1. Marital separation: when spouses have not lived together for at least two years.
2. Failure to fulfill marital responsibilities: this includes physical abuse, emotional or psychological trauma, infidelity and other forms of inappropriate behavior.
3. Inability to continue living together: when spouses cannot continue to live together for other reasons that prevent them from living together normally.

Divorce procedure in Cyprus

The process of divorce begins with the filing of an application with the court. Initially, it is important to understand that in Cyprus a divorce can be conducted either through the regular court or through the Family Court, which deals exclusively with cases relating to marriage, child custody, division of property and other family matters. The petition is filed by one spouse, and the other spouse is given the opportunity to respond to the lawsuit.

If the divorce is consensual, the process can be greatly simplified. The expected time to obtain a divorce with this approach is two to three months, depending on the workload of the court.

Taxes, property division and alimony

The division of property in Cyprus on divorce also presents a separate challenge. Cypriot law allows each spouse to claim half of the jointly acquired property, including real estate, financial assets and other valuables. However, the important issue here is how the spouses apply: if they agree, the property is divided by agreement of the parties.

Child support in Cyprus is determined based on the needs of the children and the financial capacity of the parent who is obliged to pay it. The Cypriot courts in cases where maintenance is awarded take into account the income of both parents, the needs of the children and the standard of living they are expected to maintain.

Features for Russians

For Russian citizens seeking a divorce in Cyprus, an important aspect is the recognition of the divorce in Russia. According to international law, a divorce granted in one of the EU countries is recognized in Russia. However, this requires the document to be notarized in Russia to certify the legality of the Cypriot court decision. This may require additional time and effort.

Thus, formalizing a divorce in Cyprus is a complex process that requires attention to legal and international aspects. For Russians residing in Cyprus, it is important to take into account the specifics of local legislation, as well as potential difficulties associated with the recognition of divorce in Russia and other countries.