Family Law – Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about Family Law in Cyprus — including maintenance, divorce, custody and more.
Find straightforward answers to common legal questions about child maintenance, divorce, custody, parental responsibility and related family matters in Cyprus. If you don’t see your situation covered here, our team is ready to help you.
Maintenance
Child maintenance is the legal obligation of both parents to provide financial support for their child in Cyprus. It covers food, housing, education, medical expenses, clothing, activities, and everything essential for the child’s well-being. Learn how child maintenance works in Cyprus.
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The maintenance amount depends on:
• the child’s actual needs,
• financial capability of both parents,
• standard of living before separation.
There is no fixed amount; the Family Court determines a fair contribution for each case.
According to Article 37, maintenance includes necessary costs for the child’s living and education. Typically: food & housing, school fees, tutoring, medical care, clothing & footwear, extracurricular activities, and transportation. Check what expenses are legally covered.
Both parents must contribute — regardless of gender or custody arrangements. The law imposes joint responsibility based on each parent’s financial ability. Understand parental obligations in Cyprus.
Maintenance continues until the child turns 18. It may extend if the child:
• is studying,
• serves in the National Guard,
• has a disability or cannot support themselves.
Yes. Article 38 allows adjustments when circumstances change, such as increased expenses, change in income, or unemployment. The Court can modify the amount fairly.
You can enforce the maintenance order via wage attachment, bank account garnishment, property execution, and in severe cases, criminal proceedings. Discover your legal enforcement options.
Yes, an out-of-court agreement is possible, but for full legal effect and enforceability, it must be ratified by the Family Court.
Spousal maintenance is financial support awarded to a spouse or former spouse who cannot support themselves. It is not automatic — the Court must determine there is a genuine need. Understand your entitlement to spousal maintenance.
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Anyone unable to meet basic needs due to: age, health, unemployment, caring for minor children, or lack of professional skills. The Court examines both the applicant’s needs and the other party’s ability to pay. Check if you qualify for spousal support.
The Court considers:
• the applicant’s needs,
• marital standard of living,
• income & assets of both parties,
• work capacity.
Learn how the Court calculates spousal maintenance. Regulation of Child and Spousal Maintenance under Cypriot Law
Maintenance can be temporary (until divorce finalisation) or long-term if the applicant cannot support themselves. It ends if the beneficiary:
• remarries,
• enters permanent cohabitation,
• gains sufficient income.
Understand the duration of spousal maintenance.
Typically: expense receipts, income statements, bank statements, payslips, medical records, bills, unemployment certificates, and other evidence of inability to self-support. Prepare the required documents for your application.
No. Maintenance is not automatic. The Court grants it only if real financial need is proven under Law 232/1991.
Legally, maintenance can be paid via:
• monthly installments,
• wage deductions,
• bank account garnishment.
Enforcement is legally binding.
Yes. Family Courts can issue temporary maintenance orders until the main case is heard. This applies to both child and spousal maintenance. Secure interim support quickly.
Yes, out-of-court agreements are possible but not enforceable unless ratified by the Court. Only a Court order ensures legal enforceability. Avoid risks by formalizing the agreement.
Duration depends on Court workload, case complexity, and cooperation of both parties. However, legislation allows issuance of temporary maintenance (Interim Order) in a short period to cover essential needs until the final judgment. Plan your case timeline effectively.
Custody
Parental responsibility covers all major decisions concerning the child: health, education, name, management of property, and legal representation. It is exercised jointly by both parents, unless the Family Court decides otherwise.
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The main legislation is Law 216/1990 – Relations Between Parents and Children, which provides that both parents share equal rights and obligations towards their child.
Custody = strategic and legal decisions (education, healthcare, legal acts).
Care = day-to-day care of the child (daily routine, upbringing, living arrangements).
Exclusive custody or parental responsibility is granted when it is in the best interests of the child for only one parent to exercise all or most responsibilities—usually when the other parent is unsuitable or poses a risk to the child.
The Court examines factors such as:
emotional bond between child and each parent
stability of daily life
parents’ ability to cooperate
the child’s safety
history of violence or neglect
If parents cannot agree, the Court sets a contact schedule, which may include visits, overnight stays, school holidays, phone calls, or video communication.
It is filed without notifying the other parent when there is:
risk of violence
risk of unlawful removal of the child
serious neglect or unsuitability
child abduction or obstruction of contact
The Court can issue an emergency interim order within days if urgent protection of the child is needed.
When there is:
risk of physical or psychological harm
attempt to remove the child from Cyprus without consent
serious parental neglect
unjustified refusal of contact
Either parent may apply to the Family Court to regulate custody, contact, or parental responsibility.
Not without a court order. A parent may manage a minor’s property but cannot sell real estate or significant assets without Family Court approval.
If a parent is unwilling or unable to exercise parental responsibility, the Court may appoint a guardian to act in the child’s best interests.
The father has equal rights to parental responsibility, custody, and contact. The Court does not discriminate based on gender.
Not without the written consent of the other parent or a court order. Relocation without consent may be considered child abduction.
You may request:
penalties or sanctions
modification/extension of contact
an urgent ex parte order in cases of serious interference
Yes. Custody can be modified if there are substantial changes in circumstances (e.g., parental unfitness, relocation, behavioural or safety concerns).
The Family Court of the district where the child resides handles cases concerning custody, contact, and parental responsibility.
The child, as an independent legal person, has the right to:
contact with both parents
education and healthcare
protection from violence
respect for their personality and privacy
– obstructing contact
– using the child as leverage
– ignoring court orders
– involving new partners in major parental decisions
The Court may restrict or remove parental responsibility if a parent acts against the child’s best interests.
A new partner has no legal rights over parental responsibility. Their role is limited to everyday support, without decision-making authority.
Interim orders may be issued within days or weeks. Final decisions can take several months depending on complexity.
You may request:
exclusive custody
shared custody and determination of the child’s residence
Shared custody means joint decision-making on major issues, even if the child’s main residence is with one parent. Cooperation must be based on the best interests of the child.
Under joint parental responsibility, both parents must agree on:
choice of school
medical decisions
If parents disagree, the matter may be referred to the Family Court.
A typical schedule may include:
every second weekend
division of Christmas/Easter/Summer holidays
agreed overnight stays
phone/video contact on a daily or weekly basis
Yes. If circumstances change, the parent may apply to modify the existing contact order.
Yes, if sufficiently mature. The child’s views are considered but do not solely determine the outcome.
Divorce
A consent divorce is based on the agreement of both spouses and is completed more quickly, with lower costs and less psychological strain.
In contrast, when the spouses do not agree to a consent divorce, or when issues arise such as child custody, maintenance, property, or matters relating to the conduct of one of the spouses, the procedure for a contested divorce is followed.
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The duration depends on the type of procedure and the Court’s timetable.
Consent: A few weeks to a few months.
Contested: It may take longer, depending on the issues that need to be resolved and the Court’s workload.
The mutual consent of both spouses is required for the dissolution of the marriage as well as agreement on essential matters, such as custody for any minor children.
If the spouses wish to dissolve their marriage through a consent divorce, it is mandatory that custody for their minor children has been settled or that a relevant application has been filed at the Court.
Custody is determined based on the child’s best interests. It may be granted to one parent or agreed as joint, with arrangements for contact and contribution to expenses.
Maintenance for children (and in certain cases for a spouse) is determined based on:
the child’s needs,
the parents’ income and financial capacity,
the standard of living prior to the separation.
The settlement of property disputes is a separate procedure from the divorce itself. Among other factors, the contributions of each spouse and the assets acquired during the marriage are assessed.
The presence of the parties may be required depending on the Court’s directions. Our team fully prepares each client for every stage of the process.
The cost depends on the type of procedure and the level of complexity.
We provide clear and transparent financial information from the very first meeting, so the client knows exactly what to expect.
In contested proceedings, the spouse will be notified through service of documents.
In a consent divorce, there is the mutual consent by both spouses who act as joint applicants.
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We combine:
Specialisation in Family Law
Confidentiality and discretion
Strategic thinking and efficiency
A human approach and empathy
Clear, practical solutions tailored to each client
Yes. The procedure can proceed even if the spouse resides in another country. Proper and effective service of documents and procedural management are required.
It depends on the specific circumstances. There are several grounds for dissolution of marriage beyond the irretrievable breakdown due to separation of more than two years.
Yes. The dissolution of the marriage is an independent procedure from matters of custody and property disputes. These may be examined in separate proceedings.
However, for a consent divorce, issues of parental custody must have been settled or a relevant application filed at the Court.
Even without cooperation, the procedure can proceed as a contested divorce. We:
collect the necessary evidence,
prepare a complete case file,
handle the case strategically and professionally.
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