Family Law
Family disputes can profoundly disrupt life’s balance and affect what matters most: children, housing, financial resources, and emotional bonds.
Nathalie CARTIER approaches each case with humanity and empathy, while remaining firmly committed to protecting her clients’ interests. Her objective is to achieve lasting solutions, preserve family relationships where possible, and provide clear and reassuring guidance towards a new beginning.
Human-centred support during life’s most sensitive and challenging moments.
Divorce and Separation
Whether through mutual consent divorce, contested divorce proceedings, or the separation of cohabiting partners or civil partnership (PACS) partners, Maître CARTIER provides guidance at every stage of the process.
Mutual consent divorce (with or without court involvement)
Fault-based divorce – evidence gathering and adversarial proceedings
Divorce on the grounds of irretrievable breakdown of the marital relationship
Legal separation (separation of bodies)
Dissolution of civil partnerships (PACS) and related financial consequences
Separation of cohabiting partners – division of assets and shared housing
Spousal maintenance (compensatory payment) – assessment, negotiation, and revision
Urgent interim measures during proceedings
Parental Responsibility and Children
The best interests of the child are at the heart of every decision.
Maître CARTIER assists clients in reaching stable and respectful arrangements for their children.
Child residence arrangements (primary residence or shared custody) – establishment and modification
Contact and visitation rights – organisation, suspension, or restriction
Joint or sole parental authority – conditions and legal proceedings
Child maintenance – determination, adjustment, and enforcement
High-conflict co-parenting situations – mediation and court proceedings
International child abduction – Hague Convention proceedings
Child protection proceedings – court intervention in cases of risk or danger
Inheritance and Family Wealth
Inheritance matters can give rise to disputes between heirs.
Maître CARTIER advises clients to protect their rights and facilitate the orderly transfer of assets.
Amicable or judicial estate division
Will disputes – validity and forced heirship rules (reserved portion of the estate)
Reduction claims – infringement of the reserved portion
Division of jointly owned family assets
Change of matrimonial property regime
Guardianship and curatorship – appointment and judicial supervision
Parentage and Legal Status of the Child
Establishing or contesting legal parentage may have long-lasting consequences for the rights of both children and parents.
Recognition of paternity or maternity
Challenges to parentage – procedures and DNA evidence
Full and simple adoption
International adoption
Grandparents’ rights – visitation and correspondence rights
Collaborative Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Maître CARTIER is trained in collaborative law, an approach based on cooperation between parties to reach agreements without litigation.
Collaborative process – structured meetings with both parties’ lawyers
Family mediation – support and court approval of agreements
Collaborative practice agreements
Mediation protocols
FAQs
Variante plus formelle :
Q: What happens when a succession is contested by heirs?
Where heirs are unable to reach an agreement, the notary may be unable to proceed and court proceedings may become necessary. Nathalie Cartier can assist in protecting your inheritance rights, challenging an invalid or irregular will, or initiating legal proceedings for judicial partition before the court.
Q: What is spousal maintenance compensation (prestation compensatoire), and who may be entitled to it?
The compensatory payment (prestation compensatoire) is paid by one spouse to the other in order to offset the disparity in living standards created by the divorce. It is assessed based on factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income and assets, as well as their age and state of health. Nathalie Cartier can assist you in asserting your rights or in challenging an excessive claim
Q: Is it possible to change a child’s living arrangements after a court ruling?
Yes, provided that a new and significant change in circumstances has occurred since the original decision (such as relocation, a change in employment, or behavioural issues, among others). Nathalie Cartier prepares the case file and applies to the Family Court Judge to request a modification of the child’s residence, in the child’s best interests.
Q: What can I do if my ex-partner stops paying maintenance (child support)?
Non-payment of child maintenance is a criminal offence (abandonment of family / failure to pay maintenance). You have several available remedies, including wage garnishment (attachment of earnings), assistance from the Child Maintenance Enforcement Agency (ARIPA), or filing a criminal complaint. Nathalie Cartier will guide you towards the most effective procedure in your situation.
Q: How is child support determined?
Child maintenance is determined based on each parent’s income and expenses, the number of children, and the child’s living arrangements. It may be agreed between the parents or set by the Family Court Judge. Nathalie Cartier can assist you in negotiating a fair amount or in bringing the matter before the court in the event of a dispute.
Q: Which divorce procedure is the most expeditious?
The divorce by mutual consent without judicial proceedings (introduced in 2017) is the most expeditious option. Where both spouses agree on all aspects of the divorce, the process may be completed within a few weeks by means of a notarised agreement. Nathalie Cartier prepares the settlement agreement and ensures that your rights are safeguarded before signature.
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