Separation Year Tracker

In Germany a marriage cannot be divorced overnight. The law generally requires that the marriage has broken down, and under Sections 1565 to 1567 of the Civil Code this is only deemed proven after one year of living apart. This year of separation is the central precondition for the divorce petition. The separation year tracker makes this deadline visible and accompanies you calmly through a time that is rarely easy.

It all starts with the separation date. From that day the deadline runs, which is exactly why it is so important to establish it clearly. The tracker records your separation date and shows you at any time how many months and days remain until you can file the divorce petition. Not a vague feeling but a clear countdown to orient yourself by.

Living apart does not necessarily mean separate flats. A separation is possible within a shared home too - living apart from table and bed - if the household and living areas are genuinely run separately. That is especially relevant when an immediate move is not financially feasible. The tracker explains what matters here so your separation year is recognised even under one roof.

So the point of separation is not disputed later, a written record helps. The built-in separation letter generator drafts a factual notice to your partner that documents the intent to separate and the date. It is not a declaration of war but a sober safeguard that can spare a lot of conflict in case of doubt.

Preparation also involves money. A divorce incurs court and lawyer fees based on the case value and depending on your incomes and assets. The cost estimator gives you a realistic order of magnitude, and the tracker points to legal aid when your income is low - so the divorce does not fail over money.

In rare cases the separation year can be waived. In an unreasonable hardship, for instance domestic violence, a divorce may be possible even before the year is up. The hardship check outlines when such a case might come into question - without raising false hopes, because the bar is high and the assessment rests with the court.

Everything runs in your browser, your entries stay on the device. The tracker does not replace a lawyer or professional advice, especially when children, maintenance or assets are involved. But in a turbulent phase it gives you structure, a clear schedule and the key building blocks so you move forward step by step and at your own pace.