French Attorney for Swiss Residents
French Attorney Switzerland: You live in Geneva, Lausanne, Nyon, or elsewhere in Switzerland, and your case involves France (divorce, children, support, assets, criminal proceedings, or commercial litigation). The law firm in Bourg-la-Reine (92) assists you remotely and during in-person appointments in Geneva upon request.
Your legal case in France, managed from Switzerland.
Listed by the U.S. Embassy in Paris for legal assistance to American citizens.
Registered on the British government's list of English-speaking lawyers in France. Consultations available in English.
Holder of the CAPA (Certificate of Aptitude for the Legal Profession).
Lecturer at Paris-Saclay University.
When Your Life Is in Switzerland and Your Case Is in France
Living in Geneva, Lausanne, or Nyon does not shield you from French legal proceedings: divorce with a spouse remaining in France, children across borders, child support, asset division, police summons, or a dispute with a French company.
Maître Cohen's law firm, located in Bourg-la-Reine (92) in the Hauts-de-Seine, assists French expatriates, cross-border families, and anyone subject to French court jurisdiction. Much of the representation is managed remotely: video consultations, document exchange, and continuous case monitoring.
A clear framework. Maître Cohen is admitted to the Hauts-de-Seine Bar. He is not a member of the Geneva Bar and does not practice as a Swiss attorney before Swiss courts. When required by the case, he coordinates directly with a Swiss attorney or notary.
Six Common Misconceptions About French-Swiss Legal Matters
Hover over or tap a card to see what needs to be verified before taking action.
Swiss attorney or French attorney: who should handle your case?
They are not interchangeable. A cross-border French-Swiss matter often requires determining which country has jurisdiction over each specific issue.
For matters taking place in Switzerland
- Swiss law
- Swiss courts
- Real estate located in Switzerland, occupational pension funds
- Proceedings initiated in Switzerland
For matters taking place in France
- French law
- French courts
- Divorce, child custody, and child support on the French side
- Police custody, criminal court, unpaid debts in France
Our firm coordinates directly with Swiss colleagues or notaries when a matter involves both countries.
Divorce, child custody, support, property division, criminal law: select your practice area
Here are the essential points for each situation.
French-Swiss Divorce
You reside in Switzerland and your spouse lives in France, or vice versa.
In certain cases, it is possible to file for divorce in France while residing in Switzerland. Jurisdiction depends notably on the habitual residence of the spouses, their last common residence, their nationality, and the rules of private international law. The competent court and the governing law are two separate legal questions.
Key Points to Consider
- Jurisdiction of French or Swiss courts
- Amicable or contested divorce proceedings
- Primary residence of children and maintenance support
- Division of assets located in France and Switzerland
- Cross-border recognition of the divorce decree
How Our Firm Assists You
- Preliminary assessment before initiating proceedings
- Representation in France when French courts have jurisdiction
- Remote consultations and document management
- Coordination with a Swiss attorney whenever necessary
Cross-Border Child Custody: France and Switzerland
The parents reside in different countries, or one parent plans to relocate to Switzerland.
The child’s habitual residence is a primary factor in determining which authorities have jurisdiction. The Hague Conventions govern jurisdiction and the mutual recognition of court decisions between the two countries.
Key Points to Consider
- Habitual residence of the child
- Relocation to Switzerland following a separation
- Visitation rights and school holiday schedules
- Travel arrangements, transportation costs, and video calls
How Our Firm Assists You
- Jurisdictional assessment of the competent authorities
- Applications submitted to the family court judge
- Seeking an amicable agreement whenever feasible
- Swift response in cases of wrongful removal
Before any relocation that could permanently impact family arrangements, seek legal counsel.
Child support between France and Switzerland
One parent works in Switzerland, the children live in France, or vice versa.
The amount of child support is determined by the parents' resources and the child's needs. Earning a salary in Swiss francs is not, on its own, enough to establish the amount.
Key Points to Consider
- Income earned in France or Switzerland
- Child's needs: education, health, transport
- Custody and living arrangements
- Expenses and obligations of each parent
How Our Firm Assists You
- Determining child support
- Request for modification following a relocation or change in income
- Recovery of unpaid child support between both countries
Divorce and assets in France and Switzerland
Real estate, bank accounts, investments, and retirement distributed across two countries.
The primary issue is the applicable marital property regime. It does not solely depend on the location of the assets: the date and place of marriage, nationalities, successive residences, and prenuptial agreements are also critical factors.
Key Points to Consider
- Applicable marital property regime
- Apartment or real estate property in Switzerland
- Bank accounts and investments
- Swiss occupational pension (2nd pillar)
- Compensatory allowance
How Our Firm Assists You
- Analysis of the marital property regime and supporting documents
- Liquidation and distribution on the French side
- Coordination with a Swiss notary or professional
- Asset strategy right from the divorce preparation stage
Certain Swiss assets, such as occupational pensions, may require proceedings before a Swiss court.
Criminal defense lawyer in France for Swiss residents
You reside in Switzerland and are facing a summons, an investigation, or prosecution in France.
Living in Geneva or Lausanne does not prevent you from being involved in French criminal proceedings. Defense strategy can be largely prepared remotely, upholding the presumption of innocence and your defense rights.
Situations
- Summons by the police or the gendarmerie
- Voluntary interview
- Police custody in France
- Hearing before the Criminal Court
- High-stakes personal or professional matters
How Our Firm Assists You
- Legal assistance from the outset of proceedings
- Case review and defense strategy
- Remote preparation, with travel arranged according to court hearings
Commercial law with a French business
You manage a company in Switzerland and conduct business with partners in France.
Situations
- Unpaid invoice by a French client
- Dispute with a supplier or business partner
- Securing a contract governed by French law
How Our Firm Assists You
- Formal notice and negotiation
- Contract drafting and legal review
- Debt collection and representation before French courts
Two countries. One case. A single point of contact on the French side.
Outline your situation in a few lines. Initial consultation at €156, via videoconference or in person in Geneva, upon request.
From the first contact to following through on your case
Initial Contact
Outline your situation in a few lines via our contact form or on WhatsApp, in French or in English.
Consultation
A thorough case review via video conference or during an in-person appointment in Geneva. You leave with clear next steps and key points to verify.
Fee Agreement
Scope of work and legal fees are set out in writing before we begin. No unexpected costs along the way.
Continuous Support
The firm manages the proceedings and keeps you informed at every step, wherever you are located in Switzerland or France.
Your Case File, Ready for Review
Missing some documents? Do not worry, the initial consultation is also designed to assess your situation.
French Attorney: Remote, in Geneva, or in Bourg-la-Reine
Consultations are primarily held by video conference. In-person meetings in Geneva can be arranged upon request. You are also welcome to visit our office in Hauts-de-Seine.
Remote
Video conference, phone, and WhatsApp, available in French or English.
In Geneva
In-person appointments available upon request.
In Bourg-la-Reine (92)
5 rue de Fontenay, 92340 Bourg-la-Reine, Hauts-de-Seine.
Remote consultations for residents across Switzerland. In-person appointments in Geneva upon request.
Clear, Upfront Legal Fees
Initial consultation to thoroughly assess your situation.
A formal agreement outlining the scope of legal work and total costs.
Fixed-fee packages, regardless of the time spent. View our fee structure
Fees are provided for informational purposes and vary depending on the specifics of the case. The firm does not guarantee any specific legal outcome.
French Attorney & Switzerland: Your Questions Answered
Can a French lawyer assist me if I live in Switzerland?
Yes, whenever your case is linked to France: a French client residing in Switzerland, a spouse or assets in France, proceedings before a French court, or an opposing party based in France. Maître Cohen does not act as a Swiss attorney before Swiss courts.
Can I file for divorce in France if my spouse lives in Geneva?
This may be possible depending on international jurisdiction criteria. The sole fact that your spouse resides in Geneva is not enough to determine jurisdiction. A preliminary assessment is required.
Will a French divorce be recognized in Switzerland?
Recognition depends on the nature of the divorce judgment or deed, as well as applicable Swiss rules. This matter must be anticipated from the outset of the proceedings.
Do I need to travel to France for my case?
Certain steps can be handled remotely. Whether your physical presence is required depends on the specific legal proceedings and the procedural steps to be taken.
Can my ex-spouse move to Switzerland with our child without my consent?
This depends notably on parental authority arrangements, existing court orders, and the consequences of the relocation. A relocation can be contested under certain conditions.
Can child or spousal support awarded in France be recovered in Switzerland?
Recognition and enforcement mechanisms do exist, subject to the conditions applicable to the specific legal instrument.
Can Maître Cohen meet with me in Geneva?
Yes, individual appointments can be arranged in Geneva upon request. Maître Cohen is a member of the Hauts-de-Seine Bar, and his law office is located in Bourg-la-Reine (92). Most consultations take place remotely.
How does an initial remote consultation work?
You describe your situation and provide your documents, after which the consultation takes place via videoconference in French or English. The initial consultation fee is €156. Should you decide to proceed, a written fee agreement will outline the scope of representation and costs.