Divorce isn’t just the end of a relationship — it also means sorting out the division of joint assets. For Polish citizens living in the UK, this can feel even more complicated:
- Property is located in Poland,
- The ex-spouse lives abroad,
- No one’s sure how to handle it legally without conflict.
At LexBridgeLegal, we help clients living in the UK carry out property division before Polish courts, without needing to return to Poland. Here’s how it works.
🏡 What Is Property Division After Divorce?
It’s the formal separation of assets acquired during the marriage, such as:
- Real estate (apartments, houses, land),
- Bank accounts and savings,
- Vehicles,
- Household items,
- Shares in companies.
In Poland, if you didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement, everything acquired during the marriage is considered joint property — regardless of whose name is on the papers.
⚖️ Where Should the Property Division Be Handled?
If the property is located in Poland (e.g., a flat in Kraków or a house near Gdańsk), the appropriate court is in Poland.
The fact that one spouse lives abroad doesn’t change this — you’ll just need to grant power of attorney, which you can sign in the UK.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Procedure
- Consultation – we talk through your situation and expectations (equal split? specific items?).
- Power of attorney – signed in the UK, this allows us to represent you in Poland.
- Court application – we prepare and file the petition in a Polish court.
- Negotiations/mediation – if the other party cooperates, we help reach a settlement. If not, the court decides.
- Court ruling – the judge issues a decision allocating the assets to each party.
❓ Do I Need to Be in Court?
In most cases – no. With power of attorney, we handle everything. If the court insists on your personal appearance (rare), we’ll prepare you for remote or in-person participation if absolutely necessary.
🧾 What Documents Are Required?
- Divorce judgment,
- Property documents (e.g. deeds, mortgage agreements, car ownership),
- Spouse’s contact information,
- Evidence of contributions, investments, or gifts (if relevant).
⏳ How Long Does It Take?
- Mutual agreement: 6 to 12 months,
- Contested cases: 6 months to several years, depending on complexity and cooperation.
💰 How Much Does It Cost?
- Court fee: 1000 PLN (or 300 PLN for joint petitions),
- Attorney’s fees: based on case complexity – discussed during consultation.
🤝 How Can We Help?
At LexbridgeLegal, we:
- Represent you in Polish courts,
- Handle all negotiations and paperwork,
- Make sure everything is done on time and correctly,
- Let you stay in the UK while we manage the case on the ground.
