More simple and faster divorce proceedings in the Czech Republic? The amendment of Czech Civil Code currently under debates and if approved, shall be efficient as of January 1, 2025.
The main objectives of the proposed amendment include simplifying divorce proceedings, promoting amicable divorces, removing unnecessary sources of escalating conflicts between divorcing spouses that burden both family relations and the courts, and eliminating some already overdone formalities. Only partial changes are thus proposed, with the existing concept of divorce based on the principle of matrimonial breakdown remaining.
However, the proposal does introduce certain restrictions on divorce formalities and, in particular, the possibility of combining divorce proceedings with proceedings for the custody of minors if the spouses have agreed on all aspects of the divorce. This would remove the current need for two court hearings even in the case of an agreed divorce. This should also result in a speeding up of divorce proceedings. There have been a number of comments on the proposed amendments and more changes can be expected, but if it is adopted in its current form, it will not mean a revolution in divorce proceedings; for example, it will not be possible to divorce in Czech Republic before a notary in the case of fully agreed divorce.
Read the full article regarding the above and further changes in family law that may be adopted in Czech here.