Loan for divorce costs: How to quickly secure financial resources for your new beginning
28 May 2025
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A divorce is both an emotional and financial challenge. The often unexpectedly high costs for lawyers and court proceedings can further burden the fresh start. A targeted loan for divorce costs can provide you with the necessary liquidity to navigate this phase in a manageable way and without financial pressure.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The costs of a divorce (court, lawyer) are based on the value of the proceedings and often amount to several thousand euros.
An unsecured personal loan provides quick liquidity to cover divorce costs and expenses for a fresh start.
With joint debts, both ex-partners are often liable; a debt restructuring or debt release can provide clarity here.
The financial reality: These costs await you in a divorce
The costs of a divorce are calculated based on the so-called procedural value, which is determined by the family court. This value is derived from three times the net income of both spouses and a portion of their joint assets. With a joint net income of 4,000 euros, the income share of the procedural value alone already amounts to 12,000 euros.
Additional charges are added for the equalisation of pension rights, meaning the division of pension entitlements. For each right that needs to be equalised, the procedural value increases by at least 1,000 euros. With two partners, each having a statutory and a private pension, this can quickly add up to an additional 4,000 euros. Based on this total value, in this case, 16,000 euros, the court and solicitor fees are then calculated.
A concrete example calculation illustrates the financial burden. With a procedural value of 23,000 euros, solicitor's fees amount to at least 2,469 euros and court fees to 764 euros. This results in total costs of over 3,200 euros just for an amicable divorce. A correct household calculation for the loan application helps you to get an overview of these new burdens. These unforeseen expenses require stable financial planning for the future path.
Creating room to manoeuvre: The instalment loan as a flexible solution
A personal loan is a proven option for promptly settling legal and court costs. It provides you with immediate liquidity and clear, predictable monthly instalments over a fixed term. Payout often occurs within 24 hours of approval, allowing you to pay all due bills on time.
A key advantage is the unrestricted use of the loan amount. You can use the money not only for the direct divorce costs but also for other expenses associated with starting anew. These include, for example, the deposit for a new apartment, the purchase of furniture, or re-registering the car. A loan with no use restrictions offers maximum flexibility.
Banks check your creditworthiness when granting a loan to minimise the risk of default. A regular income and a positive credit report are therefore key prerequisites. Couples taking out a loan together often receive better terms, which, following a separation, requires a new assessment of the financial situation. Taking out a loan as an individual is the next logical step towards financial independence.
Four steps to a loan for your new beginning
The path to a divorce cost loan is straightforward and can be handled entirely digitally. With the right preparation, you can quickly secure the necessary funds. Follow these four steps to make the process efficient:
Determine loan amount and instalments: Calculate the anticipated divorce costs and plan for a buffer of about 20 percent for unforeseen expenses.
Compare offers: Use an online comparison tool to review the conditions offered by different banks. Pay attention to the annual percentage rate.
Submit application and documents: Fill out the application online and upload the required documents, such as salary statements for the last three months and bank statements.
Confirm identity and receive payout: Identity verification is conveniently done through a video identification process. After the final review, the loan amount is often disbursed within one business day.
A clean SCHUFA report is key to a quick and positive credit decision. For certain life situations, there are also special offers available, such as a loan for single parents. A careful review of one's own finances is the basis for managing existing commitments.
Clarifying existing obligations: Who is responsible for joint debts?
A common question during separations concerns liability for jointly taken loans. The basic principle is: whoever signed the contract is liable. If both partners have signed the loan agreement, they are jointly and severally liable, even after divorce. The bank can demand the entire installment from just one of the two ex-partners.
For debts that only one partner has made for themselves alone, only that partner is liable. Marriage alone does not automatically result in liability for the other’s debts. An exception is transactions that meet daily needs, such as purchasing food or clothing for the children. In such cases, both partners may be held accountable.
One solution for joint loans is refinancing or release from liability. In this case, one partner takes over the loan alone, but this requires the bank’s approval and sufficient creditworthiness of the remaining debtor. Refinancing to avoid personal bankruptcy can be sensible in some cases. Clarify liability issues early to avoid financial surprises. Settling old debts is an important step before setting new financial priorities.
Expert Tips: Government Assistance and Financial Reorganisation
Not everyone can afford the costs of divorce from their own means. If your income is below a certain threshold, you can apply for legal aid (VKH). This government support covers court and legal fees and is granted to at least one spouse in over 70 percent of cases. The application is submitted to the family court along with the divorce petition.
Divorce also affects existing insurance and pension arrangements. An important question is what happens to a life insurance policy in the event of divorce. The surrender value of the policy usually falls within the scope of equalisation of accrued gains and must be shared. Review all contracts and adjust beneficiaries to the new life situation.
Pension equalisation is another key point, involving the distribution of pension entitlements acquired during the marriage. This also affects private contracts. The pension equalisation for a life insurance policy should be examined closely to avoid financial disadvantages. A comprehensive reorganisation of your finances is essential for a successful start.
Conclusion: Financial Sovereignty for the Path Ahead
A loan for divorce costs and a fresh start is an effective tool to overcome one of the biggest financial hurdles in a separation. It provides you with the necessary liquidity of several thousand euros to pay legal and court fees on time. With fixed instalments and a clear term, you maintain full control over your finances.
Careful planning, from determining the costs to settling old debts, lays the foundation for your financial independence. Take the opportunity to quickly and effortlessly secure the resources you need for this important step. This way, you can focus on the essentials: building your new life. An overdraft compensation via credit can also be part of this reorganization.
Now request an individual risk analysis: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides comprehensive statistics on marriages, divorces, and civil partnerships in Germany.
A press release from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides information on current developments and figures regarding divorces.
Wikipedia offers a detailed article on the topic of divorce in Germany, covering legal and social aspects.
The German Lawyers' Association (DAV) provides a practical divorce cost calculator to estimate the expected costs of a divorce.
The Consumer Advice Center Rhineland-Palatinate offers a comprehensive PDF document with valuable information and advice on separation and divorce.
The German Pension Insurance provides detailed information on pension equalization in divorce and its impact on pension entitlements.
The Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) provides Appendix 33 to the Income Tax Guidelines (EstH), highlighting relevant tax aspects.
FAQ
How quickly can I get a loan for divorce costs?
After a positive credit decision and digital identity verification (video identification), the loan amount is transferred to your account by most banks within 24 to 48 hours.
What documents do I need for the loan application?
You will typically need salary slips from the last three months, current bank statements, a copy of your ID card, and the completed loan application.
Can I get a loan for a fresh start even with a negative credit rating?
Granting credit with negative SCHUFA entries is very difficult, as banks consider this a high default risk. A credit check is a key requirement for granting loans in Germany.
Does taking out a loan for divorce increase my debt?
Yes, a loan is a new financial commitment. However, it converts a high, immediate lump sum into manageable monthly installments, giving you financial flexibility.
What is the difference between a regular installment loan and a divorce loan?
A "divorce loan" is essentially a standard installment loan with no restrictions on its use. The term simply describes the purpose for which the money is needed, such as covering the costs of lawyers, court, and starting anew.
Can I also use the loan for the rental deposit of a new apartment?
Yes, as it is a loan with no restrictions on its use, you can utilise the money flexibly. This includes covering divorce costs, paying a rental deposit, or purchasing new furniture.
