As experienced divorce lawyers in Spain, we assist English-speaking clients with all aspects of international family law on the Costa Blanca and Valencia.
As specialist international divorce lawyers, we guide you through every step, ensuring your divorce is handled correctly under Spanish law while considering your international circumstances.
Our Divorce and Family Law Services
Mutual Agreement Divorce (Divorcio de Mutuo Acuerdo)
The fastest and most cost-effective option when both spouses agree on the terms.
✅ Drafting of the regulatory agreement (convenio regulador)
✅ Agreement on child custody and visitation
✅ Division of assets and property
✅ Maintenance and financial arrangements
✅ Court submission and completion
Timeline: Typically 2-3 months when both parties agree.
Contentious Divorce & Court Proceedings
When agreement is not possible, we represent you in Spanish courts to protect your rights.
✅ Full court representation
✅ Protection of your financial interests
✅ Child custody litigation
✅ Asset division disputes
✅ Enforcement of court orders
Express Divorce in Spain
For couples without children or shared assets, we offer fast-track divorce procedures.
✅ Quickest legal resolution
✅ Minimal documentation required
✅ Completed in weeks, not months
Child Custody & Visitation Rights
We advise on all aspects of parental responsibility, especially in cross-border situations.
✅ Sole and joint custody arrangements
✅ Visitation schedules
✅ International relocation cases
✅ Child maintenance (pensión de alimentos)
✅ Parental abduction prevention
Division of Assets & Property
We ensure fair division of all assets located in Spain and coordinate with assets abroad.
✅ Spanish property division
✅ Bank accounts and investments
✅ Business interests
✅ Pension rights
✅ Debts and liabilities
International & Cross-Border Divorce
We specialise in divorces involving multiple nationalities and jurisdictions.
✅ Jurisdiction analysis — where to divorce
✅ Applicable law — which country’s law applies
✅ Recognition of foreign divorces in Spain
✅ Coordination with lawyers in other countries
✅ EU Regulation on matrimonial matters
Divorce via Power of Attorney
If you live abroad and cannot travel to Spain, our divorce lawyers in Spain can handle your entire divorce remotely.
✅ Full representation via Power of Attorney (POA)
✅ Court attendance on your behalf
✅ Document signing and submission
✅ No need to travel to Spain
✈ Can’t Travel to Spain? We Handle Your Divorce via Power of Attorney
We prepare your Power of Attorney in English and Spanish. You sign in your home country, we represent you in all court proceedings in Spain.
✈ Ask About Power of Attorney✈ Need to Sell Property After Your Divorce?
If your divorce involves selling a property in Spain, we can handle everything via Power of Attorney. You sign in your home country, we manage the sale — due diligence, contracts, notary and Land Registry.
✈ Ask About Property ServicesReal Examples from Our Practice
🇬🇧 British Couple Divorcing in Spain
A British couple who had been living in Jávea for 10 years decided to divorce. They owned a villa in Spain and had two children in local schools.
Challenge: Both wanted to stay in Spain but disagreed on custody and property division.
Our solution: We negotiated a mutual agreement that gave shared custody with the children primarily residing with the mother, and a fair division of the property. The divorce was completed in 3 months without contentious court proceedings.
🇮🇪 Irish Client with Spouse in Ireland
An Irish woman living in Dénia wanted to divorce her husband who had returned to Ireland. She was unsure which country had jurisdiction.
Challenge: Determining whether to divorce in Spain or Ireland, and which law would apply.
Our solution: We analysed the EU regulations and determined that Spain had jurisdiction as her habitual residence. We handled the divorce in Spain and coordinated with an Irish solicitor for asset division in Ireland.
🇺🇸 American Relocating with Children
An American mother wanted to return to the USA with her children after divorcing her Spanish husband.
Challenge: Spanish courts are very protective of children’s rights to maintain contact with both parents. International relocation requires court approval.
Our solution: We prepared a strong case demonstrating the move was in the children’s best interests while guaranteeing extensive visitation for the father. The court approved the relocation with detailed custody arrangements.
🇫🇷 French-Spanish Couple — High-Value Assets
A French-Spanish couple with properties in Spain, France and Belgium needed to divorce after 20 years of marriage.
Challenge: Complex asset division across three countries and disagreement over the family business.
Our solution: We coordinated with French counsel, achieved a negotiated settlement on the Spanish assets, and protected our client’s share of the family business. Total process: 8 months.
🇫🇷 French Client — Remote Divorce via POA
A French client living in Lyon needed to divorce in Spain where the marriage had been registered and where they owned an apartment.
Challenge: Client could not travel to Spain for work reasons.
Our solution: Using Power of Attorney, we handled the entire divorce remotely — court appearances, document signing, and property transfer. The client never had to leave France.
🏠 Property Division After Long Marriage
A British couple divorcing after 25 years had accumulated significant assets: a villa in Moraira, apartments in and investments in the UK.
Challenge: Complex valuation and division of assets, plus pension rights.
Our solution: We obtained independent valuations, negotiated a fair split of Spanish assets, and coordinated with UK solicitors for pension sharing orders. Our client received 55% of total assets.
👨👩👧 Custody Dispute — Father’s Rights
A British father was concerned about losing contact with his children after his Spanish wife filed for divorce and full custody.
Challenge: Mother alleged the father was an unfit parent and requested sole custody.
Our solution: We presented evidence of the father’s involvement in the children’s lives and secured a joint custody arrangement with equal time. The children now spend alternate weeks with each parent.
💰 Non-Payment of Child Maintenance
A divorced mother in Valencia was not receiving the court-ordered child maintenance from her ex-husband.
Challenge: Ex-husband claimed he couldn’t afford to pay despite having a good income.
Our solution: We initiated enforcement proceedings, obtained a court order to garnish his salary, and recovered 18 months of unpaid maintenance plus interest.
Why Choose Tomas Ballestero Lawyers?
| What We Offer | What This Means for You |
|---|---|
| 30+ years experience | Deep knowledge of Spanish family law |
| English-speaking lawyers | Clear communication, no misunderstandings |
| International specialists | Experience with cross-border divorces |
| Practical solutions | Focus on efficiency and results |
| Power of Attorney available | No need to travel to Spain |
| Local offices | Based in Jávea and Valencia |
| 72+ five-star reviews | The best-rated law firm on the Costa Blanca |
The Divorce Process in Spain — Step by Step
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We analyse your situation, explain your options, and advise on the best strategy for your case.
Step 2: Documentation
We gather all necessary documents: marriage certificate, financial information, property details, and information about children.
Step 3: Negotiation (if mutual agreement)
We negotiate with your spouse’s lawyer to reach a fair settlement on custody, assets and maintenance.
Step 4: Court Proceedings
We file the divorce petition and represent you in court. For mutual agreement divorces, this is usually a single hearing.
Step 5: Divorce Decree
The court issues the divorce decree (sentencia de divorcio). We handle registration and any follow-up matters.
Areas We Cover
We provide divorce and family law services throughout Costa Blanca and Valencia:
Costa Blanca North:
- Jávea / Xàbia
- Dénia
- Moraira
- Benissa
- Altea
Valencia Region:
- Valencia city
- Gandía
- Oliva
Who We Help
We regularly assist:
- British expats divorcing in Spain
- Irish clients with family law matters
- American and Canadian citizens living in Spain
- British, French and other international clients
- Mixed-nationality couples
- Clients living abroad needing divorce in Spain
- Parents in international custody disputes
- Spouses seeking fair financial settlements
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Us
Are you facing a divorce in Spain or need advice on family law matters?
Contact our firm for a confidential consultation and clear guidance tailored to international clients.
📞 Telephone
✉️ Email
📍 Our Offices
Jávea (Head Office) Avenida del Pla, 126, 2nd Floor Offices 28 A and 28 B 03730 Xàbia/Jávea
Valencia Calle Burriana, 34, 1st Floor Valencia
Opening Hours
Office: Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 20:00 Telephone Service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Tomas Ballestero Lawyers – Over 30 years helping international clients with divorce and family law in Spain
Related Legal Services If you are buying property in Spain, you may also need:
Spanish Wills and Inheritance /services/inheritance-and-wills-services/– Protect your property investment with a valid Spanish will. Our inheritance lawyers help you plan your estate.
Property Lawyers /services/property-lawyers-in-costa-blanca-valencia/– If your divorce involves buying or selling property in Spain, our conveyancing team handles all legal aspects of property division and transfers.
Can a foreign national get divorced in Spain?
Yes. If either spouse is habitually resident in Spain, or if both spouses agree, Spanish courts can grant the divorce — regardless of nationality. We act for British, French and other EU residents across Valencia and the Costa Blanca.
Which court has jurisdiction over my divorce in Valencia or the Costa Blanca?
Usually the Juzgado de Primera Instancia of your last common domicile (Dénia, Jávea, Alicante or Valencia city). For cross-border situations, Regulation (EU) 2019/1111 (Brussels II ter) often applies. We assess jurisdiction on the first free consultation.
How is child custody decided for international couples?
Spanish courts decide in the best interest of the child, increasingly favouring joint custody (custodia compartida). Habitual residence of the child, each parent’s ties to Spain, and any prior foreign ruling all weigh in. Cases involving France or the UK often require coordination under Hague Convention rules.
What is the difference between mutual-agreement and contested divorce in Spain?
A divorcio de mutuo acuerdo can be finalised in 2–3 months with one joint lawyer. A contested divorce (divorcio contencioso) requires separate representation and can take 8–18 months. We advise on which route fits your situation.
Do I need my foreign marriage certificate translated and apostilled?
Usually yes — a sworn translation into Spanish plus Apostille (Hague Convention) or equivalent legalisation. Nous vous accompagnons dans cette démarche en français si vous le souhaitez. We handle the full bundle for you.
Divorce Lawyer in Spain: Expert Legal Representation in Valencia
Finding the right divorce lawyer in Spain is essential when navigating the complexities of Spanish family law. At Tomas Ballestero Lawyers, our team of experienced divorce lawyers in Valencia provides comprehensive legal support for both Spanish nationals and international clients seeking a divorce lawyer in Valencia or across the Costa Blanca region. Whether you need a family law lawyer in Spain for an amicable separation or a contested divorce, our Valencia divorce lawyer team ensures your rights and interests are protected throughout the entire process. As a leading divorce law firm with years of experience, we handle every aspect of divorce proceedings in Spain.
Express Divorce Spain & Legal Separation Lawyer Valencia
Spain offers an express divorce procedure (divorcio express) that can be completed in as little as three months when both parties agree on the terms. Our express divorce Spain service handles mutual consent divorces efficiently, minimising stress and legal costs. If you are considering a legal separation before divorce, our Valencia legal separation lawyer team can advise on the differences between separation and divorce under Spanish law, including the cost of divorce in Spain. We also assist with divorce cost planning so you understand the full financial picture, including court fees, lawyer fees, and any additional expenses related to your specific case.
Child Custody Lawyer Valencia & Fathers Rights Spain
Child custody disputes require sensitive and experienced legal counsel. As a specialist child custody lawyer in Valencia, we help parents navigate custody arrangements, visitation rights, and relocation cases under Spanish family law. Our expertise extends to international child custody matters, including cases involving child custody lawyers for France-Spain cross-border disputes. We are strong advocates for fathers rights in Spain, ensuring equal consideration in custody proceedings. Our Valencia paternity lawyer services also cover paternity testing, parental responsibility claims, and modification of existing custody orders when circumstances change.
Prenuptial Agreements, Spousal Support & Family Mediation
A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can protect both parties in the event of a future divorce. Our prenuptial agreement lawyer in Valencia prepares legally binding prenuptial and postnuptial agreements under Spanish law. We also handle spousal support (alimony) negotiations, ensuring fair compensation for the economically disadvantaged spouse. Our spousal support lawyers in Valencia have extensive experience calculating maintenance payments based on Spanish legal criteria. For couples seeking an alternative to court proceedings, our family mediation services in Spain offer a collaborative approach to resolving disputes around finances, property division, and parenting arrangements. A marriage solicitor or marriage attorney from our firm can also assist with legal formalities surrounding marriage in Spain.
Domestic Violence Lawyer & Adoption Lawyers Valencia
Our domestic violence lawyers in Valencia provide urgent legal protection for victims, including obtaining restraining orders and representing clients in criminal and family court proceedings. We understand the sensitivity of these cases and offer confidential, compassionate legal support. Additionally, our adoption lawyers in Valencia guide families through the Spanish adoption process, whether domestic or international, handling all legal paperwork, court appearances, and compliance with Spanish adoption regulations. As a family lawyer in Spain and experienced divorce solicitor, we also assist with family law solicitor services including name changes, guardianship applications, and other family-related legal matters. Whether you need a Spanish divorce attorney, a divorce attorney, or a family law solicitor, our Valencia family lawyer team is here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Divorce in Spain
How much does a divorce cost in Spain? The cost of divorce in Spain varies depending on whether it is mutual consent (express divorce) or contested. An express divorce typically costs between €800 and €1,500 in legal fees, while contested divorces can range from €2,000 to €5,000 or more, depending on complexity.
Can I get a divorce in Spain if I married abroad? Yes. If either spouse is a Spanish resident or has habitual residence in Spain, Spanish courts have jurisdiction to grant a divorce regardless of where the marriage took place. Our international divorce lawyer in Valencia handles these cross-border cases regularly.
What are fathers rights in Spain regarding custody? Spanish law promotes shared custody (custodia compartida) and does not favour either parent based on gender. Fathers have equal rights to custody, and courts consider the best interests of the child when making custody decisions.
Need Help With a Divorce in Spain?
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