Getting divorced in Berlin

Hi All,

Does anyone have experience getting divorced in Berlin? I moved here with my (non EU) boyfriend 3 years ago and he was on a one year visa...after that time period he had difficulty getting it renewed because he is self employed and because i have german nationality he begged me to marry him to resolve his troubles. Because we were together anyway and i wanted it to work so badly, i felt i had no choice and it was already after his visa expired so there was time pressure on top. He told me he would have to find someone else to marry if i wouldnt do it and that i would be helping him out greatly. About 9 months later i found out that he cheated on me, and even though i have still wanted it to work out he basically says that we just dont get along and he cant see our romantic relationship continuing. Not only that, but he is horrified that i would want to divorce him because he is so close to getting some sort of visa/allowance to live here. As you can guess i have reached the end, and want to be separated from him and all things associated. Can anyone recommend a lawyer here? I was the main earner for the entire period and i dont think he would be so low to take anything from me, but who knows.
If he agrees to say that we have been separated for the time since he cheated on me then can this be finalised easily?
Silly question, but is anyone able to fill out and submit paperwork themselves instead of going through lawyers?
How much does it cost when there are no children, amicable and we each keep our own things?
What happens to him when his aufenthalterlaubnis expires?

Thanks for any advice that will help me be my own person again (pls no questions about how i could be so stupid, cause seeing it all in writing makes me want to laugh!).

Screw him. Divorce him and get his visa revoked. Just get a lawyer and explain the entire situation to him. He deserves it and will be out of your life and country forever

My sentiments too. get on the case girl and do it quick.

I perosnally do not know any but here is a link to English speaking lawyers from uk embassy. maybe help!

http://www.britbot.de/en/consular/berlin/lawyers_berlin.pdf

Thanks so much for the replies! I will definately be going ahead with it...hopefully a good start to a new year .

What a jerk. Best wishes to you!

Yeah, good luck with that. If I were you I would spend the money on a lawyer to get it over with as quickly as possible (and as much to your benefit as possible, if you ex resorts to dirty tactics, which frustrated and angry people tend towards). Worth every penny, I think.

Very curious to know which non-EU country he's from. Depending on the situation in the home country, he could claim refugee status, oder?

Some family lawyers in Berlin do offer one free session - you might be able to get some quick answers and if they are competent and affordable, perhaps retain their services. I would pick up the gelbeseiten, find a lawyer, and get the basics down right away.

You mention that you are a German national - do you speak German? I'm just wondering why you would turn to an expat website, and one conducted in English, if you are a German national.

I'm a German national but by heritage not birth. I can tell you that they don't give you a 'handbook to being German' when you become a citizen, or even if you are born a citizen abroad.

There are lots of us dual nationality kids kicking around.

ok, I get it now. I was a little confused because I assumed there would be a lot more resources & support in German.

Um no. They tell you how to get a passport and that's pretty much it haha.

I mean I'm sure it's available somewhere on the German government website, but it's just easier to ask on here sometimes. Also since there are a lot of non-EU nationals here, maybe they have a different perspective on the marriage issue between an EU and non EU person?

This thread was started in December 2006. One would hope that the OP's situation has been resolved by now.

oopsy. yes, one would hope she's sorted after a year and half later!