Family Law Attorney in Belgium

Family law isn't just about applying rules - it requires understanding family dynamics, anticipating the other party's reactions, and sometimes defusing conflicts before they escalate.

A general practitioner knows the broad outlines of divorce or filiation. But a specialist has handled hundreds of cases similar to yours. They know that the family court judge in Brussels doesn't have exactly the same practices as the one in Liege. They understand real processing times, arguments that carry weight, and pitfalls to avoid.

Above all, family law specialists have developed essential cross-cutting skills: mediation, negotiation, sometimes even training in child psychology. Because in these cases, winning at all costs can prove a Pyrrhic victory if it permanently destroys family relationships.

Finally, certain situations require specialized expertise that only a specialist can provide: international child abduction, liquidation of complex matrimonial property regimes with assets abroad, contested filiation proceedings with DNA analysis. In these cases, experience makes all the difference.

Divorce remains the most frequent dispute. Belgium distinguishes two paths: mutual consent divorce, when spouses agree on everything (children, assets, alimony), and divorce for irretrievable breakdown, when conflict persists. The latter can be granted after one year of separation, or immediately if one spouse proves the breakdown.

Child custody generates the most intense battles. The Belgian principle is equal shared custody - one week with dad, one week with mom - unless the child's best interests require a different arrangement. Judges examine each situation: geographical distance between parents, children's ages, each parent's availability.

Child support - called contribution alimentaire - is calculated based on each parent's respective income and the child's needs. Since 2010, the Renard method often serves as a reference for objectifying this calculation.

Less well-known, filiation law intervenes to establish or contest a family relationship. Paternity searches, contesting the husband's paternity, adoption: these are all procedures where the lawyer guides clients through strict deadlines and precise conditions.