Paragraph 1: Filing for divorce

The spouse initiating the divorce proceedings may state the grounds for his or her claim if it is based on acceptance of the principle of the marriage breakdown or the definitive alteration of the marriage bond. Outside these two cases, the grounds for the application must be set out in the first submissions on the merits.

The application initiating proceedings shall include a reminder of the provisions relating to: 1° mediation in family matters and participative proceedings; 2° Approval of partial or full agreements between the parties on the arrangements for exercising parental authority and the consequences of divorce. It also includes, on pain of inadmissibility, a proposal for the settlement of the spouses’ pecuniary and property interests.

When he finally dismisses the divorce application, the judge may rule on the contribution to the marriage expenses, the residence of the family and the terms of the exercise of parental authority.