Everything you need to know about
Divorce in sweden
Welcome to Divorce in Sweden
Hi and welcome,
Here at Divorce in Sweden, we provide legal information about divorcing in Sweden. We primarily cater to those who, for various reasons, prefer to receive information in English rather than Swedish.
Our goal is to offer clearly written articles and other resources to help you quickly gain an overview of the basics of Swedish divorce law.
We hope you find the information you are looking for. If not, you are welcome to contact us, and we will guide you further.
We wish you a pleasant visit to our website.
Where should you start?
Not sure where to start? Here are a few suggestions:
If you would like to get a simple overview of the Swedish divorce procedure we have section down below with the title “The Swedish Divorce Procedure in a Nutshell” which is a great start.
If you would like to read our replies to some of the questions regarding divorcing in Sweden we have received you can do that here: Questions and Answers.
If you would like to read articles about divorcing in Sweden our article library is over here: Articles About Divorcing in Sweden.
And finally, if you would like to get in touch with us you can contact us here: Contact.
Latest Articles on Divorcing in Sweden
Easy to Divorce in Sweden
In an international comparison, Sweden stands out as a country where the process of getting a divorce is relatively straightforward. Many other countries have significantly more complex and time-consuming procedures for dissolving a marriage. In Sweden, the legal...
Where to apply for divorce in Sweden
In Sweden, divorces are governed by the Marriage Code (Äktenskapsbalken) and managed by the general courts. The divorce process involves submitting an application, after which the court examines the case and issues a judgment. This article provides a step-by-step...
The Cost of Divorce in Sweden
Divorcing in Sweden is generally not associated with high costs. On the contrary, Sweden is one of the less expensive countries in which to obtain a divorce. The legislature has intentionally designed the process to be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial...
Maintenance Obligations Between Spouses According to Swedish Law
Maintenance between spouses is a concept also recognized under Swedish law. However, the structure of this obligation varies depending on whether it pertains to maintenance during the marriage or after the spouses have divorced. Below, you will find more information...
Division of Property After Divorce According to Swedish Law
Under Swedish law, spouses who have divorced are obligated to carry out a division of property, known as bodelning. This division is essentially a private agreement between the spouses, and as long as you both agree, you can generally divide your assets and...
Divorce and Consideration Time According to Swedish Law
In Sweden, divorce is generally a straightforward legal process and each of the spouses has an absolute right to divorce. However, the Swedish Marriage Code (Äktenskapsbalken) includes a specific mechanism called consideration time or reflection period (betänketid),...
Separate Property (enskild egendom) – The Property Excluded from Division of Property after a Divorce
When a marriage ends in divorce, the spouses must, according to Swedish law, carry out a division of property where the net value of their assets is distributed. However, there is an important exception to this general rule— separate property (. This article will...
The Swedish Divorce Procedure in a Nutshell
The Swedish divorce process is fundamentally straightforward and can be divided into the following four steps:
- Draft Your Application for Divorce.
- Submit the Application to the Court.
- The Court Issues a Divorce Decree.
- The Divorce is Finalized.
Each of these steps will be explained in detail below.
Step 1: Draft Your Application for Divorce
The first step towards a divorce in Sweden is to draft your divorce application. If you and your spouse are in agreement, you can submit a joint application. If only one of you wishes to divorce, an individual application is required.
There are no specific application forms that you must use, and you can basically draft the application yourself on a blank sheet of paper. However, it is important that your application contains all the necessary information required by law. If the application is not correctly drafted the court may demand complementary information or dismiss your application.
The main information that an application for divorce must contain is the following:
- Personal details of both spouses (names, addresses, and personal identification numbers).
- A claim for divorce.
- If the spouses have children under the age of 18; the spouses’ agreement regarding custody etc. And if the spouses cannot agree, the applying spouse’s claims regarding custody etc.
You must also attach a personbevis (certificate of personal information) issued by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), specifically for divorce purposes. The personbevis should not be older than three months.
Step 2: Send the Application to the Court
Once the application is complete, you send it to the district court (tingsrätten) where you or your spouse resides. The court fee for a divorce application is 900 SEK, which must be paid when submitting the application. The court will not start handling the application until the fee has been paid.
If you are filing alone, the court will serve the application on your spouse, allowing them to respond. If both parties agree and the application is complete, the process is expedited.
It’s important to ensure the application is propertly drafted and that it contains all information required. If the court finds the application incomplete, you may be asked to submit additional information and the court may even dismiss the application.
Step 3: Court Renders a Divorce Decree
Once the court has received and processed the application, it will issue a divorce decree. The time this takes depends on whether the divorce requires a consideration time (betänketid).
- No consideration time: If you have no children under 16 and both spouses agree to divorce, the court may issue the decree promptly, typically within a few weeks.
- With consideration time: If you have children under 16 or if one spouse does not agree to the divorce, a mandatory six-month consideration applies. After this period, one or both spouses must confirm the desire to proceed with the divorce.
Once the court issues the decree, the divorce is finalized.
Step 4: You Are Divorced
When the divorce decree is rendered, you are officially divorced. The decree serves as a legal document confirming the dissolution of your marriage. You may request a certified copy of the decision from the court if needed for administrative purposes, such as changing your marital status with authorities or updating your name.
Legal advice
If you require legal advice before or during your divorce, we are at your disposal. We can assist you with both planning, preparing and handling your future divorce, as well as assisting you with your pending divorce application process. We ensure that all your concerns are addressed and that your rights are safeguarded throughout the divorce proceedings.
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