Family Lawyer in Bulgaria
Zdravkov Law Firm
Family disputes affect personal relationships, children, housing and property, and often require both legal precision and a sensitive approach. Zdravkov Law Firm provides family-law advice and representation in Sofia and throughout Bulgaria, from the initial assessment and negotiations to settlement drafting and court proceedings.
We assist with divorce by mutual consent and contested divorce, parental rights, a child’s residence and contact arrangements, maintenance, international travel, the family home, matrimonial property, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and urgent protection. Every matter is assessed on its facts and, where children are involved, their best interests.
DIVORCE AND SETTLEMENTS
We prepare petitions and settlements for divorce by mutual consent and represent clients in contested divorce proceedings.
CHILDREN AND PARENTAL RIGHTS
We advise on disputes concerning a child’s residence, parental rights, contact arrangements, maintenance and international travel.
PROPERTY AND PROTECTION
We advise on the family home, matrimonial property, marital agreements and protective measures in family conflicts.
ZDRAVKOV-LEGAL.COM
Legal Assistance with Divorce and Family Disputes
Resolving a family-law matter is not limited to ending the marriage. Where minor children are involved, their residence, the exercise of parental rights, contact arrangements and maintenance must be determined, together with international travel and identity documents where relevant. Questions concerning the family home and jointly held property may arise at the same time.
A family lawyer assesses which issues can be resolved voluntarily, what a settlement must contain and what evidence will be required if a dispute proceeds to court. In matters affecting children, their best interests are paramount; the process is not based on formal equality between the parents’ positions.
Zdravkov Law Firm prepares documents, participates in negotiations and provides representation before the Bulgarian courts. The scope and strategy are defined after reviewing the family circumstances, existing judgments and agreements, immediate risks and the client’s objectives.
DIVORCE BY MUTUAL CONSENT
For a divorce by mutual consent, the spouses file a joint petition and submit an agreement governing the consequences of divorce. Where there are minor children, the agreement must address their residence, parental rights, contact and maintenance, together with the other matters required by Bulgarian law.
We prepare the petition and agreement, discuss the available terms and ensure that the documents reflect the spouses’ actual arrangements. The court verifies that the consent is serious and unwavering and that the children’s interests are protected.
CONTESTED DIVORCE
Where there is no agreement on the divorce or its consequences, the matter proceeds as contested litigation. We prepare the claim or defence, analyse the facts and evidence, and represent the client on the issues the court must determine.
If minor children are involved, the proceedings also address parental rights, contact, maintenance and use of the family home. Depending on the circumstances, interim measures may be requested pending the final judgment.
PARENTAL RIGHTS, RESIDENCE AND CONTACT
We assist with determining or varying a child’s residence, the exercise of parental rights and contact arrangements. Relevant factors include the care provided to date, the child’s relationship with each parent, the child’s environment, the parents’ ability to cooperate and all circumstances bearing on the child’s best interests.
Following amendments to the Bulgarian Family Code effective from 30 December 2025, joint exercise of parental rights is expressly available where the statutory conditions are met. It does not automatically mean an equal 50/50 division of time and requires arrangements tailored to the individual child.
MAINTENANCE, PARENTAGE AND CHILD TRAVEL
We represent parents and children in claims to determine, vary and recover maintenance. The amount depends on the child’s needs and the liable parent’s means, taking account of actual expenses, income and the other relevant circumstances.
We also assist with disputes concerning parentage, a child’s travel abroad, identity documents and relocation that changes the centre of the child’s life. If consent is withheld, we assess the applicable court procedure and required evidence.
FAMILY HOME AND MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY
We advise on the use of the family home, the property regime applicable to assets acquired during marriage, separate property, joint liabilities and voluntary settlement options. A divorce judgment does not automatically divide ownership of every asset.
Where necessary, we prepare settlements and assist in separate partition proceedings or other property disputes. Complex real-estate issues are coordinated with the firm’s property-law practice.
MARITAL AGREEMENTS AND PROTECTION
We draft and review marital agreements governing the spouses’ property relations. Their terms must comply with Bulgarian law and reflect the parties’ actual ownership, financing arrangements and objectives.
Where there are indications of domestic violence or immediate risk, we discuss the available protective measures and urgent steps. In immediate danger, call 112. Family proceedings and any other available procedures must be assessed separately on the facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between divorce by mutual consent and contested divorce?
With mutual consent, the spouses jointly request the divorce and submit an agreement governing its consequences. In contested proceedings, one spouse files a claim and the court considers the disputed issues and evidence. The appropriate route depends not only on agreement to end the marriage, but also on whether arrangements can be reached for children, housing, maintenance and the other consequences.
What must a mutual-consent divorce agreement contain?
It must cover the matters required by the Bulgarian Family Code. For minor children, these include residence, parental rights, contact and maintenance. It must also address use of the family home, maintenance between spouses and the family name; the parties may include other lawful arrangements.
How long do divorce proceedings take?
The duration depends on the type of proceedings, the court’s caseload, whether the documents are complete, the number of disputed issues and whether witnesses, social reports or expert evidence are needed. Mutual-consent divorce is usually quicker, but no specific timeframe can be promised before the matter and competent court are reviewed.
What does the court decide about children after divorce or separation?
Without a valid agreement, the court determines the child’s residence, parental rights, contact arrangements and maintenance. Depending on the case, it may also decide issues concerning international travel and identity documents. The assessment is made in the child’s best interests on the particular facts and evidence.
Does shared parenting necessarily mean a 50/50 division of time?
No. Joint exercise of parental rights is not an automatic formula for equal time. The court or settlement must set specific arrangements based on the child’s age, needs and routine, the relationship with each parent, the distance between homes and the parents’ practical ability to cooperate.
Can an existing parental-rights arrangement be changed?
Yes, where circumstances have changed and a variation is in the child’s best interests. Relevant factors may include a change of environment, the child’s age and needs, persistent non-compliance, relocation, risk to the child or other material facts. The earlier judgment and current evidence must be reviewed.
How is child maintenance determined?
The court considers the child’s needs and the parents’ means, including ordinary costs for food, housing, education, healthcare and development. Income, assets, other obligations and the care actually provided are relevant. An existing award may be varied if needs or means change materially.
Does the divorce judgment automatically divide property?
No. The judgment ends the marriage and resolves the matters that Bulgarian law requires in the divorce proceedings, but it does not automatically divide ownership of all assets. Property relations may be settled by agreement or in separate proceedings after the applicable regime, acquisition, contributions and liabilities are established.
What should I do if there is an immediate risk of domestic violence?
In immediate danger, call 112 and move to a safe place if possible. Preserve available medical records, messages, photographs and witness details without placing yourself or a child at further risk. Bulgarian law provides special protective measures and short procedural deadlines, so prompt individual advice is essential.
How are family-law legal fees determined?
Fees depend on the type of proceedings, number of disputed issues, children and property involved, volume of documents and evidence, need for interim measures and expected hearings. After an initial review, the scope, fee and possible additional costs are defined.
Related divorce and parental-rights resources:
Related legal services:
- Real estate and property disputes
- Criminal defence in a related matter