Familienrecht

Familienrecht, or family law, is a branch of civil law that governs legal relationships within families and the procedures through which such relationships are formed, altered, or dissolved. It covers marriages and civil partnerships, the consequences of marriage, divorce, and separation; parental rights and duties, including custody and visitation; child protection and child support; maintenance between spouses; adoption and guardianship; and issues of legitimacy, paternity, and property regimes within families.

In most jurisdictions, the core rules are codified in a family or civil code. In German-speaking systems, family law is primarily found in the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) and related statutes. Courts specialising in these matters include family courts that handle divorce, custody, and maintenance orders, and the involvement of social services or youth welfare agencies in matters of child welfare. Resolution of disputes may involve negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings, with emphasis on the best interests of the child.

International aspects arise where family relationships cross borders, such as recognition of foreign custody orders, cross-border maintenance, and international adoptions. Instruments such as international conventions and European Union regulations shape cooperation and jurisdiction.

Over time, reforms aim to clarify procedures, promote the welfare of children, and balance parental rights with duties. Families are diverse, and jurisdictions differ in terminology, procedures, and outcome standards, but the overarching aim of Familienrecht remains to regulate intimate family relationships within the rule of law.