Navigating the financial aspects of divorce in Turkey requires understanding various cost components that can significantly impact your budget. From attorney fees to court expenses, the total cost of divorce in Turkey varies widely depending on several key factors including the type of divorce, the complexity of asset division, and whether children are involved.

Types of Divorce and Associated Costs

The cost of divorce in Turkey is primarily determined by whether the divorce is contested or uncontested, with dramatic differences between these two approaches.

Uncontested Divorce Costs

Uncontested divorce (anlaşmalı boşanma) is the most affordable option for ending a marriage in Turkey. When spouses agree on all divorce terms including property division, alimony, and child custody, the process is streamlined and costs are minimized.

For a basic uncontested divorce in 2025, couples can expect to pay:

• Attorney fees: 30,000-59,500 TL ($820-1,625 or €750-1,490) per spouse
• Court filing fees: Approximately 3,500-4,000 TL ($96-109 or €88-100)
• Document preparation expenses: 1,000-3,000 TL ($27-82 or €25-75)

The total cost for an uncontested divorce typically ranges from 34,500-66,500 TL ($943-1,816 or €863-1,664) per spouse, assuming each party retains their own attorney. Some couples may share a single attorney to reduce costs, though this approach may create conflict of interest concerns.

These figures represent the minimum expenses for a straightforward case without complications. Additional costs may apply if the divorce involves complex property arrangements or if expert opinions are required for asset valuation.

Contested Divorce Costs

Contested divorce (çekişmeli boşanma) proceedings are significantly more expensive due to their lengthier and more complex nature. When spouses cannot agree on divorce terms, the financial burden increases substantially.

The costs for contested divorces in Turkey in 2025 typically include:

• Attorney fees: 70,000-140,000 TL ($1,913-3,825 or €1,753-3,505) per spouse
• Court filing fees: 4,000-5,000 TL ($109-137 or €100-125)
• Expert witness fees: 3,000-15,000 TL ($82-410 or €75-375) depending on expertise required
• Document preparation and translation: 2,000-5,000 TL ($55-137 or €50-125)
• Additional hearing fees: 1,000-2,000 TL ($27-55 or €25-50) per hearing beyond the standard allocation

A contested divorce typically involves multiple hearings over 1-3 years, potentially bringing the total cost to 80,000-200,000 TL ($2,186-5,464 or €2,003-5,006) per spouse. Complex cases involving substantial assets, international elements, or bitter custody disputes can exceed these estimates significantly.

Attorney Fees Structure

Attorney fees constitute the largest expense in most divorce cases, and understanding how these fees are structured can help manage costs effectively.

Flat Fee Arrangements

Many Turkish divorce attorneys offer flat fee arrangements, particularly for uncontested divorces. Under this structure, clients pay a predetermined amount regardless of how many hours the attorney works on the case. According to the Turkish Bar Association’s 2025 minimum flat fees are:

• Uncontested divorce: 30,000 TL ($820 or €750) plus VAT (10%)
• Contested divorce: 30,000 TL ($820 or €750) plus VAT (10%)

However, these represent minimum fees, and most attorneys charge significantly more based on their experience and the complexity of the case. In major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, actual fees are typically much higher:

• Istanbul: 75,000-110,000 TL ($2,049-3,005 or €1,877-2,754) for contested divorces
• Ankara: 81,500-127,250 TL ($2,227-3,477 or €2,040-3,185) for contested divorces
• Izmir: 90,016-116,364 TL ($2,460-3,180 or €2,253-2,913) for contested divorces

Percentage-Based Fees

For divorces involving significant asset division, attorneys may charge additional fees based on a percentage of the assets secured for their client. This is particularly common in contested divorces where property division is disputed.

Typical percentage-based arrangements include:

• 10-16% of secured assets for standard property division
• 15-20% for complex asset recovery or when hidden assets are involved
• 20-25% for international asset recovery cases

These percentage fees are often applied on top of the base fee and create an incentive for attorneys to maximize recovery for their clients. However, they can significantly increase the overall cost of divorce when substantial assets are involved.

Hourly Billing

Some attorneys, particularly those handling complex or international divorce cases, bill by the hour rather than offering flat fees. Hourly rates in 2025 typically range from:

• 3,500-5,000 TL ($96-137 or €88-125) per hour for experienced divorce attorneys in major cities
• 2,000-3,500 TL ($55-96 or €50-88) per hour in smaller cities and provinces

When attorneys bill hourly, clients should request regular updates on accrued fees and remaining retainer balances to avoid unexpected costs. It’s also advisable to discuss anticipated total costs based on similar cases the attorney has handled.

Court Fees and Administrative Costs

Beyond attorney fees, divorcing couples must budget for various court-related expenses that, while individually modest, can add up significantly.

Filing Fees and Court Expenses

The Turkish judicial system requires payment of several mandatory fees to initiate and process divorce cases:

• Application fee: 427.60 TL ($11.68 or €10.70)
• Power of attorney fee: 60.80 TL ($1.66 or €1.52)
• Advance payment fee: 427.60 TL ($11.68 or €10.70)
• Expense advance: 2,000 TL ($54.64 or €50.06)
• Attorney stamp duty: 96 TL ($2.62 or €2.40)

These basic court fees total approximately 3,012 TL ($82.30 or €75.39) for standard divorce filings in 2025. Additional fees may apply for specialized applications, emergency orders, or appeals.

The party initiating the divorce typically pays these fees initially, though the court may ultimately assign costs differently in its final judgment based on the circumstances of the case and the conduct of the parties during proceedings.

Expert Witness and Evaluation Fees

Many divorce cases require expert opinions on various matters, particularly when child custody is disputed or complex assets need valuation. Common expert fees include:

• Child psychologist evaluations: 3,000-6,000 TL ($82-164 or €75-150)
• Property appraisals: 2,500-10,000 TL ($68-273 or €63-250) depending on property type
• Business valuation: 5,000-20,000 TL ($137-546 or €125-501) depending on business complexity
• Financial forensic analysis: 10,000-30,000 TL ($273-820 or €250-751) for cases involving hidden assets

The court typically orders expert evaluations when necessary and determines how costs will be allocated between the parties. Initially, the requesting party pays these fees, but the final cost assignment may change in the divorce judgment.

Additional Cost Factors

Several other factors can significantly impact the total cost of divorce in Turkey, making each case financially unique.

Geographic Location

Divorce costs vary substantially by location within Turkey. Major urban centers, particularly Istanbul, have the highest attorney fees and related costs. For example:

• Istanbul: Average contested divorce costs 150,000-200,000 TL ($4,098-5,464 or €3,754-5,006)
• Ankara: Average contested divorce costs 130,000-180,000 TL ($3,552-4,918 or €3,254-4,506)
• Smaller cities and rural areas: Average contested divorce costs 70,000-120,000 TL ($1,913-3,279 or €1,753-3,004)

These regional variations reflect differences in the cost of living, attorney competition, and court congestion across different parts of the country.

Case Complexity

The complexity of a divorce case dramatically affects its cost. Factors that increase complexity and, consequently, expenses include:

• High-value or numerous assets requiring valuation
• International property or cross-border issues
• Business ownership interests that need assessment
• Hidden assets requiring investigation
• Contested child custody arrangements
• Domestic violence allegations requiring evidence gathering

Each layer of complexity adds to attorney time requirements, court proceedings, and expert involvement, potentially increasing costs by 50-200% compared to standard cases.

Appeals and Post-Divorce Modifications

If either party appeals the initial divorce judgment, additional costs accrue:

• Appeal filing fees: 2,000-3,000 TL ($55-82 or €50-75)
• Attorney fees for appeal: 30,000-50,000 TL ($820-1,366 or €751-1,251)
• Additional expert reports or evidence: 5,000-15,000 TL ($137-410 or €125-375)