Family & litigation
Family lawyer in Luxembourg
The firm assists individuals through the key moments of family life in Luxembourg: divorce and separation, child custody and maintenance, matrimonial regimes and successions, including cross-border ones. The aim: clear solutions, amicable where possible, firm where necessary.
Legal content reviewed by Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009.
Family law touches on both the personal and the financial. The decisions taken (divorce, custody, matrimonial regime, succession) have lasting and often cross-border effects in Luxembourg.
Cerno Law Firm favours negotiated solutions and protects your interests and those of your children.
The need
You are going through a separation, a family conflict or a succession.
The international context (binational couples, assets abroad) complicates the applicable rules.
The risk
An unbalanced agreement, poorly organised custody, a succession governed by an unexpected law, procedural delays.
A decision taken without advice proves costly and hard to undo.
How we help
Advice and representation in divorce, custody, maintenance, matrimonial regime and succession, with a collaborative approach where it is suitable.
Coordination of the cross-border dimensions.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Divorce amicably or in the event of a conflict.
- Organise child custody and maintenance.
- Choose or change a matrimonial regime.
- Settle an international succession.
Method
Our engagement process
- 1
Information intake
You describe your need via a structured form or an initial call. Our digital tools serve only to organise this information and save time.
- 2
Lawyer qualification
Maître Maglo reviews your situation, identifies the legal issues and confirms the feasibility and exact scope of the engagement.
- 3
Transparent quote
You receive a clear fee proposal, a fixed fee or a range, before any engagement. Nothing is billed without your approval.
- 4
Legal work
The firm drafts, negotiates or litigates as required. Every deliverable is designed and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.
- 5
Tracking and delivery
You follow your matter transparently and receive your finalised documents with the explanations you need.
Documents required
- • Civil status and any marriage contract
- • Financial information
- • The situation of the children where applicable
Deliverables
- • Advice and strategy
- • Agreements or procedural documents
- • Representation in court
Indicative timing
Variable depending on the procedure (divorce by mutual consent is faster than a contested divorce).
Announced fees
Fixed fee or by phase depending on the nature of the matter.
A law firm, supported by digital tools
Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar; its digital tools only simplify information gathering, qualification of the matter and tracking of requests, never replacing the lawyer's advice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does the firm favour amicable solutions?
Yes, where possible: a negotiated solution is often faster, less costly and more lasting, in particular for the children. The firm remains firm in the event of a conflict.
Do you handle international matters?
Yes, binational couples, assets or successions abroad: the firm determines the applicable law and the competent jurisdiction.
Is a divorce always lengthy?
No: divorce by mutual consent is significantly faster than a contested divorce.
Quick answer
When should you consult a family lawyer in Luxembourg?
A family lawyer can step in before a dispute to protect your rights, during a separation or divorce, or to settle questions relating to children, maintenance, parental authority or the division of assets.
Our approach
A pragmatic reading of every case
Notre objectif n’est pas seulement d’expliquer la règle, mais d’identifier la solution la plus efficace pour atteindre vos objectifs. Chaque dossier est analysé sous trois angles.
Risque juridique
La règle applicable, les délais et les points de contentieux possibles.
Risque opérationnel
L’impact concret sur votre activité, vos contrats et votre organisation.
Risque financier
Le coût d’une décision, d’un litige ou d’une inaction, chiffré en amont.
Expertise
Our family law services
Divorce and separation
- Divorce by mutual consent
- Divorce for breakdown
- Divorce agreement
- Representation in court
- Protection of financial interests
Children and parental authority
- Children's residence
- Access and accommodation rights
- Shared residence
- Parental authority
- Child protection
Maintenance
- Calculation
- Review
- Non-payment
- Recovery
- Retroactive payment
Assets and matrimonial regime
- Marriage contract
- Matrimonial regime
- Change of regime
- Division of assets
- Protection of the spouse
International families
- International divorce
- Cross-border custody
- Recognition of foreign decisions
- Family reunification
- International assets
Mediation and collaborative law
- Family mediation
- Negotiation
- Collaborative law
- Parenting agreements
- Amicable separation
Examples of matters handled
Proven expertise, anonymised
Divorce by mutual consent
Comprehensive support for the spouses through to approval.
Child custody
Negotiation and formalisation of a secure parenting agreement.
Maintenance
Review of the amount and recovery of the sums due.
International family
Handling a separation involving several jurisdictions.
Representative and anonymised examples, for illustration only. Every matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
They entrust us with their cases
Varied profiles, the same standard of excellence
- Entrepreneurs setting up their company in Luxembourg
- International investors
- SME executives
- International groups
- Expatriates and international families
- Employers recruiting foreign talent
Explore our key areas of expertise
Family, international and amicable resolution
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you get divorced in Luxembourg?
There are two routes: divorce by mutual consent, based on an agreement settling all its effects, and divorce for the breakdown of the marital relationship, which can be granted even without agreement. Mutual consent is faster and less contentious.
How is maintenance calculated?
It depends on the needs of the child or the former spouse and on the resources of each party. It can be reviewed in the event of a change of circumstances and recovered in the event of non-payment.
Who is awarded custody of the children?
The decision is made in the child's interest: residence, access rights, shared residence. A negotiated parenting agreement is often preferable to an imposed decision.
Can you move abroad with your child?
A move that changes the child's residence generally requires the agreement of the other parent or a decision of the judge. Acting without that agreement can have serious consequences.
How do you have a foreign family judgment recognised?
Depending on the origin of the decision, European or international mechanisms allow its recognition and enforcement in Luxembourg. A preliminary analysis secures the process.
How do you recover unpaid maintenance?
Through a formal notice, then enforcement measures and, where applicable, the involvement of the recovery mechanisms. The firm assists with these steps.
Member of
Affiliations & réseaux professionnels
Free guide · PDF
The practical guide to secure your next step
Checklists, key steps and points to watch, prepared by the firm. Get it instantly, no strings attached.
- The key steps, explained simply
- The documents to prepare
- The common mistakes to avoid
Free diagnostic
A family situation? Get confidential guidance in 2 minutes.
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Choosing Cerno means choosing over 17 years of experience
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 7
- working languages
- 100+
- companies & SOPARFI structured
- 200+
- visas & residence permits obtained
- 170
- client nationalities served
- 300+
- due diligence reviews conducted
Around twenty M&A transactions supported · one of the best visa approval rates in Luxembourg.
Since 2009, we devote our expertise to your satisfaction: more than 85% of our clients renew their trust in us.
Our work
Representative matters, anonymised
Typical examples of engagements handled by the firm, presented in an anonymised and illustrative manner. Each matter is handled and validated by a lawyer registered with the Luxembourg Bar.
A holding company and a residence permit, in a single process
Incorporation of a SOPARFI for a non-resident investor, combined with obtaining their residence permit. A single point of contact across both fronts.
Permit obtained in 6 weeksA similar matter? Companies & governanceFounders protected before the funding round
Structuring a shareholders’ agreement and governance for a young company with several founders, ahead of a funding round.
Shareholders’ agreement signed before the roundA similar matter? Debt recoveryA debt recovered across borders
Cross-border recovery of unpaid debts for an SME, through an order for payment and coordination with a foreign colleague.
Receivable recovered in full (100%)A similar matter? Employment lawAn executive defended before the Labour Tribunal
Supporting an executive in a contested dismissal, from strategy to representation at the hearing.
Case argued at the hearingA similar matter? ContractsA secured international distribution
Negotiating and securing an international framework distribution agreement, from liabilities through to the competent jurisdiction.
Competent jurisdiction securedA similar matter?Typical, anonymised examples, for illustration only. They do not prejudge the outcome of a matter, which depends on each situation.
Entrust my matter to the firmExpertise & authority
Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law
Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners
Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar
Support in 7 languages, clients of 170 nationalities
Testimonials
What our clients say
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.Farshid Pourlatifi
J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.Nathan Wirtzfeld
Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.Tatiana
They talk about us
The firm referenced and cited
Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.
Let’s talk about your matter
Describe your situation: you receive an initial analysis and a transparent quote, with no obligation. One dedicated lawyer, from start to finish.