#254In Deutschland dürfen Ehepaare sich scheiden lassen. Meistens müssen sie dazu das „Trennungsjahr“ einhalten. Was bedeutet das?
In Germany, married couples are allowed to divorce. In most cases, they have to observe the "separation year" for this. What does that mean?
Quick Controls
The correct answer is:
Husband and wife live separately for at least one year. After that, divorce is possible.
Die Ehegatten führen mindestens ein Jahr getrennt ihr eigenes Leben. Danach ist die Scheidung möglich.
Independent study resource, not a BAMF website. Translations are study aids; the exam is in German.
Quick explanation
The separation year means: the spouses live their own separate lives for at least one year; after that, divorce is possible.
Why is this correct?
After one year of separation, the law assumes the marriage has broken down if both want a divorce.
Background
A marriage can be dissolved if it has broken down (Section 1565 BGB). To prevent couples from acting hastily, the law generally requires a separation year. You can also live separately in the same flat if you keep separate finances and sleep apart. If both agree to the divorce, one year is enough; if one does not, the marriage is deemed to have broken down after three years of separation. Only in special cases of hardship, such as violence, is an earlier divorce possible. The family court decides on the divorce.
Why are the other answers wrong?
How long the court proceedings take depends on the individual case. How long you were married plays no role in the separation year. Contact rights for the children are not limited to one year.
Memory tip
First live apart for a year – then divorce.
Legal basis: Sec. 1566 Civil Code (BGB) ↗
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