Divorce Lawyer in Poznań
Divorce is one of the most challenging experiences a person can face — legally, emotionally and practically. The futures of both spouses, their children, their shared assets and each party’s life going forward all hang in the balance. We help clients navigate this process as calmly as possible and with the best achievable outcome.
We represent both petitioners and respondents. We handle divorce in every form — uncontested, with a fault finding against one spouse, or with fault attributed to both — as well as all ancillary matters: maintenance, division of property, parental authority and child contact.
Tel.: +48 531 335 713 | kancelaria@prawnikodrozwodu.pl
Uncontested Divorce — No Fault Finding
This is the fastest and least contentious route to ending a marriage. The court dissolves the marriage without determining which spouse was responsible for its breakdown (Art. 56 of the Family and Guardianship Code, hereinafter “FGC”). The condition is that both parties agree on the divorce itself — not necessarily on every detail of property division or child arrangements, although the more the parties agree, the sooner the case concludes.
Before the Regional Court in Poznań (Sąd Okręgowy w Poznaniu), where both parties are in agreement and there are no disputed issues concerning the children, the case may conclude at the first hearing. The time from filing the petition to the judgment becoming final is typically three to six months.
Divorce With a Fault Finding
The court may determine that one or both spouses are responsible for the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage (Art. 57 FGC). Typical grounds include infidelity, physical or psychological abuse, alcohol misuse, desertion and persistent failure to meet the family’s needs despite having the means to do so.
A fault finding has real financial consequences. A spouse found solely at fault may be ordered to pay maintenance to the innocent spouse — even where the innocent spouse is not in financial need, if the divorce has caused a significant deterioration in their financial position (Art. 60 § 2 FGC). A fault finding may also be relevant where an application is made for unequal shares in the division of marital property.
Cases involving a fault finding take longer — typically from one to several years — and require careful preparation of evidence: witness statements, correspondence, medical records or police documentation.
When Your Spouse Contests the Divorce
The other party’s refusal to consent does not prevent proceedings from going ahead. The court may grant a divorce if it establishes a complete and permanent breakdown of the marital relationship — the absence of emotional, physical and economic bonds — and that granting the divorce will not harm the welfare of any minor children and is not contrary to the principles of social coexistence (Art. 56 § 2 FGC). Cases of this kind take longer and require more robust preparation, but with proper representation they can be won.
What Else Does the Court Decide in a Divorce Judgment?
A divorce judgment does more than dissolve the marriage. The court simultaneously decides on parental authority and child contact arrangements, child maintenance and — where the conditions are met — spousal maintenance (Art. 58 FGC). On the parties’ application, the court may also determine how the family home is to be used following the divorce.
Division of marital property is a separate matter — dealt with after the divorce judgment becomes final, either before a notary or through court proceedings.
Parenting Plan
Spouses with minor children are required to submit to the court a parenting plan (porozumienie rodzicielskie) — a document setting out how parental authority and contact with the children will be exercised after the divorce (Art. 58 § 1a FGC). The absence of a plan does not prevent a divorce being granted, but the court may require one to be produced.
A well-prepared parenting plan — precise, comprehensive and realistic — is the fastest path to concluding the case and the best outcome for the child. We help draft plans that the court can approve without requiring amendments.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Divorce?
You can technically file the petition yourself and appear at hearings without legal representation. In practice, however, divorce cases — even apparently straightforward ones — have features that make professional assistance genuinely valuable.
First, the petition itself. A well-drafted divorce petition is not simply a request to dissolve the marriage — it is a document that defines the scope of the entire proceedings. If you want a fault finding, spousal maintenance, a determination about the family home or interim measures during the proceedings, you must apply for these from the outset. Errors and omissions at the petition stage are difficult to remedy later.
Second, the hearing. The courtroom in a divorce case is a place where emotions take over with unusual ease. The hearing brings back everything that went wrong and led to this point — and on the other side of the room there is often a conflicted spouse with their own lawyer. Your lawyer ensures that your case is presented calmly and persuasively, rather than reactively and without structure.
Third, the ancillary matters. Divorce is rarely just a divorce. Maintenance, property division, custody, contact arrangements and the mortgage all follow in its wake. Each has its own rules, deadlines and pitfalls. A lawyer who sees the whole picture can attend to all of these threads at once, rather than dealing with each crisis as it arises.
Fourth, negotiations. A significant proportion of divorce cases — wholly or partially — end in a settlement. To negotiate effectively, you need to know what you can expect from the court. Without that, you cannot tell when the other side’s offer is fair and when it is simply too low.
How We Work Together
Everything begins with a consultation — 400 PLN, 60–90 minutes — during which we listen to your account, assess the legal situation and present the possible scenarios. We tell you plainly what you can expect, how long the case is likely to take and what court fees are involved.
If you decide to proceed, the consultation fee is credited towards our overall fee. Payment by instalments is available.
Throughout the case you have direct contact with your lawyer — by telephone, email and in person. We draft all procedural documents, represent you at hearings and conduct negotiations with the other party’s lawyer. If the judgment goes against you, we prepare the appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Poznań? Uncontested, with both parties in agreement — three to six months. With a fault finding — from one year to several years, sometimes longer where conflict is high and many witnesses must be examined. Where custody is disputed without any parental agreement — more than two years.
What are the consequences of a fault finding? The spouse found solely at fault may be ordered to pay maintenance to the innocent spouse — even where the innocent spouse is not in financial need, if the divorce has caused a significant deterioration in their financial position. A fault finding may also influence the division of property where unequal shares are sought.
Can I get a divorce without my spouse’s consent? Yes. The other party’s refusal does not block proceedings. The court will grant a divorce if it finds a complete and permanent breakdown of the marital relationship. Such cases take longer, but with proper representation they are winnable.
Is a parenting plan compulsory? It is not formally compulsory, but it is required where the parties have minor children and wish the court to preserve full parental authority for both of them. The absence of a plan does not prevent the divorce, but it may prolong the proceedings.
Contact Us
We practise in Poznań and across Greater Poland. We handle cases before the Regional Court in Poznań and — through our branch offices in Września and Jarocin — before the Regional Court in Kalisz and the district courts across the region.
Kancelaria Prawa Rodzinnego Adwokat Michalina Koligot, Adwokat Marta Krzyżanowicz, Adwokat Anna Konrady, Radca Prawny Joanna Jędrzejewska
ul. Mickiewicza 18a/3, 60-834 Poznań Tel.: +48 531 335 713 kancelaria@prawnikodrozwodu.pl | prawnikodrozwodu.pl
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00–16:00 Consultations in person and online. First consultation: 400 PLN.
This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal information current as of January 2026.