I want a divorce – what needs to be done?
5 tasks in suggested order
1. First determine whether you will use an agreed divorce or an ordinary divorce and prepare the petition under the rules effective from 1 January 2026.
When the marriage has irretrievably broken down and you want to start proceedings.
Competent district court; if you have a common minor child, from 2026 divorce and child arrangements are generally handled in one proceeding by the court for the child’s residence.
Petition, marriage certificate and, depending on the case, agreements on the child, property and housing plus other required documents.
For an agreed divorce, proving six months of separation is no longer required. Under the 2026 rules, the court fee is lower than for an ordinary divorce.
Official source: msp.gov.cz
2. If you have a common minor child, prepare arrangements for care, contact and maintenance; the court handles the child and divorce in one combined proceeding.
Together with the divorce if you have a common minor child.
Court for the child’s residence; OSPOD becomes involved where needed, including conflicts of interest.
Parents’ agreement or proposals on care and maintenance and information needed to assess the child’s needs.
Where parents agree, OSPOD does not automatically have to represent the child if there is no conflict of interest; parents must inform a capable child and the court protects the child’s interests.
Official source: msp.gov.cz
3. For an agreed divorce, conclude an agreement on property, housing and where relevant other joint obligations; in other cases deal with settlement separately.
Before an agreed divorce or later as part of settlement of the marital property.
Agreement between spouses; if needed court, cadastral office, bank or other institutions depending on assets and liabilities.
Overview of assets, debts, real estate, tenancy and joint contracts.
An agreement between spouses does not by itself change a cadastral ownership entry or a liability to a bank; complete those changes separately.
Official source: msp.gov.cz
4. If you return to a previous surname after divorce, notify the registry office and then replace the affected documents.
After the divorce becomes final if you want to use the surname change option.
Registry office, then the relevant personal-document offices.
Final divorce judgment and documents required by the registry and document offices.
Divorce does not automatically update all documents, registers and contracts.
Official source: msp.gov.cz
5. Finally review benefits, tax relief, insurance, tenancy and joint contracts affected by the household change.
After the legal or factual household change.
Labour Office, employer/tax administration, insurers, landlord and providers depending on the situation.
Divorce decision and supporting documents only where the institution actually needs them.
Each benefit and contract is assessed separately; a change in marital status does not automatically change every entitlement.
Official source: msp.gov.cz
