How Long Do Contested Divorce Cases Last? (Comprehensive Guide)

Contested divorce cases are complex judicial processes that are not limited to the mere termination of a marriage by the parties; they involve the simultaneous evaluation of many legal elements such as evidence, witnesses, fault determination, alimony, child custody, and property division. For this reason, the question “How long does a contested divorce case take?” depends on too many variables to be answered by a single duration. Indeed, when examining the decisions of the Constitutional Court and the Court of Appeals, it is clearly demonstrated that the duration of these cases varies significantly depending on the scope of the file, the evidence collection process, and the stages of legal remedies.

1. Duration of Contested Divorce Cases

When judicial decisions and determinations by the Constitutional Court (AYM) are examined, it is observed that the duration of contested divorce cases varies widely depending on the complexity of the case, the evidence collection process, and the stages of legal remedies (appeal and cassation).

General Duration Estimates and AYM Determinations: In AYM decisions, it has been determined that finalized contested divorce cases generally last between 5 and 10 years (aym-14.05.2025). In some specific cases, this period has been observed to extend up to 12 years (aym-18.11.2025).

Reasonable Duration Assessments:

The AYM assessed proceedings lasting 2 years 5 months (aym-25.09.2019) and 4 years 2 months (aym-16.07.2014) as being within a “reasonable duration,” considering procedural provisions and the court’s diligence, and therefore did not issue a violation decision.

In contrast, cases lasting 7 years (aym-13.03.2025), 8 years (aym-19.11.2024) and 10 years (aym-20.11.2024) have been deemed “unreasonable durations” in a way that infringes upon the right to marry.

Factors Prolonging the Proceedings: The main factors prolonging the trial period in the decisions were stated as; instructions written for hearing witnesses (rogatory letters), address changes, the number of hearings reaching up to 31 sessions (aym-13.03.2025), waiting periods during the appeal and cassation stages of the file, and the workload of the courts. It has been stated that the target period foreseen by the Ministry of Justice for such cases is 600 days (aym-29.02.2024).

2. Additional Context Obtained from Secondary Sources

The following information has been compiled from secondary sources to provide additional context in cases where there is limited information in the decision texts:

Process Dynamics: Contested divorce cases can be significantly prolonged if the parties abandon the uncontested divorce protocol, turning them into contested cases. For example, a process that started in 2012 can last until 2020 with appeal and annulment decisions (yargitay-2. Hukuk Dairesi-2020/2554 K).

Property Division and Ancillary Lawsuits: It has been observed that lawsuits concerning bridal jewelry or claims for participation in acquired property, filed in connection with a divorce case, can await the finalization of the divorce case (preliminary issue) and that this situation can extend the total process up to 12 years (yargitay-2. Hukuk Dairesi-2023/8097 Ka). This decision was reviewed after the local court, in a case filed by the plaintiff woman regarding her claims for bridal jewelry and participation in acquired property, inexplicably rejected the claim concerning bridal jewelry; the 2nd Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court emphasized that court decisions must contain sufficient and reviewable reasoning that clearly presents not only the outcome but also the parties’ claims and defenses, how evidence was evaluated, and which legal grounds were relied upon, finding that a judgment rendered without any reasoning regarding the claim for bridal jewelry in the specific case violated the Constitution and the Civil Procedure Code (HMK), thus overturning the decision in this respect; while upholding the part concerning the claim for participation in acquired property as appropriate.

Cost Principles: Secondary sources emphasize that costs are determined according to the “loser pays” principle; however, in divorce cases where fault cannot be determined (e.g., when the case becomes moot), the assessment of attorney’s fees may vary. Furthermore, the procedures for calculating court costs for alimony and compensation claims not subject to proportional fees are also discussed in these sources (yargitay-2. Hukuk Dairesi-2021/8320 K).

In Conclusion: Contested divorce cases, according to court rulings, last an average of 5 to 10 years; the costs consist of court fees, expert witness fees, and attorney fees determined by the Minimum Attorney Fee Schedule. While there is no clear standard figure for the total cost in primary sources, it is understood that the cost varies depending on the stages of the case and additional claims (compensation, alimony, division of property).

Frequently Asked Questions

Çekişmeli boşanma davası ortalama kaç yıl sürer?

Anayasa Mahkemesi ve Yargıtay kararlarına göre çekişmeli boşanma davaları ortalama 5 ila 10 yıl arasında sürmektedir. Dosyanın istinaf ve temyiz aşamalarından geçmesi, ek davaların açılması ve delil sürecinin uzaması hâlinde bu süre 12 yıla kadar çıkabilmektedir. AYM, 7 yıl ve üzeri süren birçok davayı “makul sürede yargılanma hakkının ihlali” olarak değerlendirmiştir.

Hangi durumlarda boşanma dava süresi aşırı uzar?

Kararlarda yargılamayı uzatan başlıca nedenler şunlardır:
Tanıklar için yazılan istinabe (talimat) yazıları
Tarafların sık adres değişikliği
Çok sayıda duruşma yapılması (30 celseyi aşan dosyalar)
İstinaf ve temyiz incelemelerinde bekleme süreleri
Boşanmaya bağlı mal paylaşımı, ziynet ve alacak davaları
Bu hâllerde boşanma davası tek başına bitse bile ek davalar nedeniyle süreç fiilen yıllarca devam edebilir.

Çekişmeli boşanma davası masrafları ne kadardır?

Yargı kararlarında standart ve sabit bir toplam rakam bulunmamaktadır. Masraflar;
Harçlar
Posta ve tebligat giderleri
Bilirkişi ücretleri
Avukatlık Asgari Ücret Tarifesi’ne göre vekâlet ücreti
kalemlerinden oluşur. Özellikle mal paylaşımı ve ziynet alacağı gibi talepler varsa bilirkişi giderleri maliyeti ciddi şekilde artırabilir. Masraflar davanın seyrine göre binlerce TL’den çok daha yüksek rakamlara çıkabilmektedir.

Why is Expert Legal Support Necessary?

Contested divorce cases are not limited to merely ending a marriage; they lead to alimony, child custody, compensation, division of property, and long-term economic consequences. If the process is mismanaged, the case can drag on for years, difficult-to-remedy rights losses can occur, and even violation processes extending to the Constitutional Court may arise.

Timely submission of evidence, making effective objections against procedures that prolong the trial, and managing appeal and cassation stages with the correct strategy requires expertise.

On Istanbul’s Anatolian Side; in Tuzla, Kartal, Pendik, and Maltepe, among other districts, for contested divorce, alimony, child custody, and property division cases, 2M Law Office, based on precedents from the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court, provides effective litigation strategy, legal interventions aimed at accelerating the process, and comprehensive consultancy services.

Starting the divorce process with proper legal support is the most effective way to prevent cases that could last for years.