Turkish Legal Insights & Analysis

For foreign nationals marrying a Turkish citizen — or for international couples relocating to Turkey — a properly drafted prenuptial agreement is the single most effective instrument for protecting wealth, defining property rights, and avoiding disputes if the marriage ends. Turkish law recognises prenuptial agreements (commonly called evlilik sözleşmesi or mal rejimi sözleşmesi) under Articles 202 to 241 of the Turkish Civil Code (TMK), giving spouses the freedom to depart f

Matrimonial property division in Turkey is one of the most consequential — and frequently misunderstood — aspects of divorce proceedings for foreign nationals. When a marriage ends, the Turkish Civil Code (TMK) imposes a default property regime that determines how every asset accumulated during the marriage is classified, valued, and divided between the spouses. For foreign investors, expatriates married to Turkish citizens, and high-net-worth individuals with cross-border ho

In high-stakes Turkish divorce cases, standard asset division rules often collide with complex variables. While the general rule is a 50/50 split, high-net-worth individuals often face unique challenges: the punitive financial consequences of Adultery (Zina), the valuation of Company Shares, and the legal procedure for clawing back assets transferred to Third Parties. This guide examines these three advanced scenarios to help international clients navigate the Turkish Civil C

"I bought the house before we met, so it remains 100% mine, right?" This is the most common misconception in Turkish divorce cases. While the Title Deed (Tapu) might carry only one name, the financial reality is often more complex. If any mortgage payments, renovation costs, or loans were paid using marital funds (salary, income) during the marriage, the "commingling" of assets creates a significant financial claim for the other spouse. In this guide, we break down the mathem

In the volatile environment of divorce litigation, a common tactic involves one spouse rapidly depleting or transferring assets to lower the settlement pool—a practice known in Turkish law as "Mal Kaçırma." This guide outlines the immediate legal mechanisms available to freeze assets, secure the family home, and "claw back" property transferred to third parties. The "Mal Kaçırma" Phenomenon: Recognizing the Threat In Turkish Family Law, the division of property is generally d

Divorce is not just an emotional separation; it is the termination of an economic partnership. Under the Turkish Civil Code, the division of assets is governed by strict rules depending on when the marriage took place and how the assets were acquired. For international clients and expatriates living in Turkey, understanding the local "Matrimonial Property Regime" is crucial to securing a fair share of the marital wealth. In this guide, we explain the legal logic behind the Li