Legal services in Poland are provided by an experienced team of lawyers, including both advocates and legal counsels We provide complex legal assistance for individual clients within the territory of the Republic of Poland. Thanks to our experience we are able to undertake appropriate workings in different fields of law quickly and efficiently. Each lawyer in our office specializes in a specific legal area, providing a solid foundation that enables our team to deliver services of the highest standard.

Our Team

Katarzyna Lewicka-Krzysztowczyk – Lawyer

A member of the Zielonka & Partners team since 2015. Currently, as a Partner at the Law Firm, she manages the department for international family law, representing foreign clients, mainly in disputes with Polish citizens.

The scope of her activities includes legal representation in cases of divorce, establishing visitation rights, regulating parental responsibility as well as child and spousal support payments with  cross-border aspect. She also specializes in proceedings regarding the division of international joint property.

She conducts cases for the return of children under the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of child abduction, done at The Hague on October 25, 1980 (Journal of Laws of 1995 No. 108, item 528), and in the case of abductions within the EU Member States, taking into account the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 of November 27, 2003 regarding jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 (so-called “parental abductions”) representing clients from the EU member states as well as from the United States, Australia and the Middle and Far East.

Attorney Katarzyna Lewicka-Krzysztowczyk is a member of international legal organizations such as International Society of Family Law, International Academy of Family Law, International Child Abduction Platform, European Criminal Bar Association, Fair Trials and Polish Association of Private International Law and active member of her local Wrocław Bar Association.

She graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Wrocław. She holds Chicago Kent College of Law diploma. As part of international programs, she participated in a scholarship at East Tennessee State University in the United States and at the University of Tromso in Norway.

Attorney Katarzyna Lewicka-Krzysztowczyk is author of a number of studies and articles on international family law, in particular on the application of the Hague Convention in the case of parental abductions. She regularly participates as a speaker in trainings and seminars.

Contact: k.lewicka@lzw-law.com

Leszek Zielonka – Attorney-at-law

Managing Partner supervising the international family law department at Zielonka & Partners.

The scope of his supervision includes establishing together with other team members strategies for individual cases commissioned in the field of family law and ongoing supervision of the implementation of assumptions and their correction in order to achieve the goal outlined by the client of our Law Firm.

The involvement of the supervising partner becomes crucial while supporting the activities of lawyers from the family law department while enforcing judgments of Polish or foreign courts in the Republic of Poland, in particular in matters of exercising visitation rights or securing the return of a minor as ordered in a judgment as part of a judgment issued under the Convention on the civil aspects of abduction of a child abroad, drawn up in The Hague on October 25, 1980 (Journal of Laws of 1995 No. 108, item 528), and in the case of abductions within EU Member States, taking into account the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2201/2003 of November 27, 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347/2000 (so-called “parental abductions”).

Leszek Zielonka. Attorney-at-law, is a member of international legal organizations such as International Society of Family Law, International Academy of Family Law, International Child Abduction Platform, and one of the founders of the Polish Association of Private International Law.

Contact: l.zielonka@lzw-law.com

Katarzyna Jagiełka – Legal Advisor

Providing legal services for German-speaking clients at the international family law department at L.Zielonka & Partners Law and Tax Firm Limited Partnership.

She is a passionate legal advisor with many years of experience. She represents her clients primarily in matters of family law, including international court cases, especially by providing services for German citizenship. Her professional activity concerns proceedings in the field of custody, alimony, and contact with children, including the general legal situation of children. She has represented her clients many times in proceedings for international child abduction, which were conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Hague Convention Act.

Legal advisor Katarzyna Jagiełka supports her clients also in marriage matters. She provides legal assistance in divorce cases, for the division of joint property in matters of marriage contracts. She advises clients on all problems that arose related to the general legal situation of both spouses and life partners (cohabitation).

She is a member of the District Chamber of Legal Advisers. She graduated from the Faculty of Law and Administration at the University of Adam Mickiewicz in Poznań, Poland, and from the Faculty of Law at the European University “VIADRINA” in Frankfurt (Oder), in Germany.

Years of experience, constant training, and cooperation in the team of the Law Firm L. Zielonka and Partners enable her to provide her clients with the best legal assistance. She provides legal services in Polish and German.

Contact: info@divorceinpoland.com

Our international family law disputes in Poland

Our international family law disputes in Poland Below you will find examples of international family proceedings in which we have represented our foreign clients. The table contains a brief specification of the cases, including:

  • case file number in the Polish court,
  • location of the court where the trial took place,
  • jurisdiction of the law that was taken into consideration during the proceedings,
  • brief case description.
FILE NUMBER OF THE CASESEAT OF THE COURTCOUNTRIESCASE DESCRIPTION
III RC 2593/04
KatowiceGermany vs PolandDetermining client’ marital status, checking the file records of the divorce case and arrangements for child suport payments and visitation rights
XIII RC 2909/12WrocławNorway vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child suport payment based on art. 58 of Family Code
III Nsm 413/12KluczborkGermany vs PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention
on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980
(Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
IX NS 431/13WarszawaSpain v PolandRecognition in Poland of a decision on separation based on art. 1145 § 1 Code of Civil Procedure in the version valid until 30.6.2009
III Nsm 755/14WrocławUSA vs PolandEstablishing visitation rights pursuant to art. 113 of Family Code
VII C 175/15WarszawaCanada v PolandDivorce, rejection of the petition for divorce due to lack of jurisdiction under art. 1099 Code of Civil Procedure
III RC 210/15PszczynaArab Emirates v PolandRecognition of paternity, arrangements for child suport payment and regulation of parental authority pursuant to art. 127, 72 and 93 Family Code
III RNsm 142/15WrocławSweden vs PolandPermission to perform an activity exceeding the ordinary management of the child’s property pursuant to art. 101 § 3 Family Code
III RC 3103/15WrocławCroatia v PolandDivorce pursuant to art. 58 Family Code
III Ca 1229/15GliwiceGermany v PolandRegulation of visitation rights and child suport payment pursuant to art. 127 and 113 Family Code
III Nsm 373/16 Trzebnica
Germany vPolandRegulation of visitation rights pursuant to art. 113 Family Code
III RC 59/16WrocławSouth Africa vs PolandDivorce and residence permit;

Marriage concluded outside of the Republic of Poland,
Residence permit pursuant to marriage

V RC 601/16WarszawaLituania v PolandEstablishing paternity, arrangements for child suport payment and regulation of parental authority pursuant to art. 127, 72 and 93 Family Code
IV Nsm 1243/17Bielsko – Biała
Austria v PolandRegulation of parental authority, visitation rights and child suport payment pursuant to art. 93, 113 and 127 Family Code
III Nsm 85/17
(III Nsm 373/16)
WrocławGreat Briatain v PolandEstablishing visitation rights pursuant to rt. 113 Family Code
III Nsm 386/17WrocławGermany v PolandChanging minor’s family name pursuant to art. 90 § 1 Family Code
VI Co 681/17WarszawaCostarica v PolandRecognition in Poland of a divorce judgement pursuant to art. 1145 § 1 Code of Civil Procedure in the version valid till 30.06.2009
VI C 2248/17 WarszawaDenmark vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child suport payment pursuant to art. 58 Family Code
III RC 20/17Głubczyce
Netherlands vs PolandChild suport payment pursuant to art. 127 Family Code
III Nsm 595/17Wołomin/ Warszawa

Israel v PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention
on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980 (Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
I Ns 182/18WołominGreat Brtain v PolandPlacing of benefit payment to court deposit pursuant to art. 639 Code of Civil Procedure
III RNs 292/18WołominGreat Britain vs PolandApplication for changing of legal guardian and further obligations pursuant to art. 165 Code of Civil Procedure
Out of court caseWarszawaFrance v PolandAgreement for the abolition of joint ownership of real estate in Poland
Out of court caseWrocławGermany v PolandDivision of assets in a cohabitation relationship
III Nms 511/18 WrocławIceland v PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980 (Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
Out of the court case 2018WarszawaFrance v PolandCohabitation agreement
XIII RC 3290 – 18
WrocławNetherladn v PolandDivorce pursuant to art. 58 Family Code
IV Nsm 1180 – 18Białystok
Portugal v PolandRegulation of parental authority, visitation rights and child suport payment pursuant to art. 93, 113 and 127 Family Code
I RC 236 – 18Legnica
Singapur v PolandDivorce pursuant to art. 58 Family Code
XIII Ns 93 – 19WrocławChina v PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980 (Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
Out of court case 2019WrocławSpian v PolandDivision of assets after divorce
III Nsm 149 – 19 WrocławUSA vs PolandRegulation of permanent residence of minor child
Out of the court case 2019WarszawaCohabitation agreement
I Co 2362/19Piaseczno

Germany v PolandDivision of joint assests of spouses
III Nsm 1033/19 Rzeszów
France v PolandLimitation of parental authority, altering of parental authority
I Ns 54/19- SO Białystok
Sweden vs PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980 (Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
IV Nsm 1180/18Białystok
Sweden vs PolandLimitation of parental authority,
IV Nsm 1894/19- Białystok

Portugal v PolandEstablishing visitation rights
I RC 944/19Legnica
Switzerland vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child suport payment based on art. 58 of Family Code
Out of courtSzczecin

Denmark vs PolandCohabitation agreement
I ACa 407/19WrocławEnforcement of judgement I ACa 407/19
Out of the court case 2019WarszawaFrance v PolandDivision of joint assests of spouses after divorce
XIII RC 182/20
WrocławSerbia v PolandDivorce pursuant to art. 58 Family Code
XVIII C 840/20Poznań
Germany v PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child suport payment based on art. 58 of Family Code
II Ns 244/20WarszawaItaly v PolandDivision of joint assests of spouses
III Nsm 1569/20WrocławGreat Britain vs PolandTermination of parental authority
I C 345/20Tarnobrzeg
Nigeria vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
X RC 798/21Szczecin

Philippines vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
II C 3926/20Gdańsk

Great Britain vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
Nsm 852/21Gdańsk

Serbia vs PolandRegulation of parental authority and child support payment, division of assets
pre-trial stageRomanian vs PolandDivorce procedure
VII Ns 662/20Gdynia

Norway vs Poland Division of assets
II C 2062/20Gdańsk

Egypt vs PolandDivorce procedure
III Nsm 400/20Drawsko Pomorskie

Scotland vs PolandRegulation of parental authority and child support payment
VI Co 27/21Olsztyn

Sweden vs PolandDeclaration of enforceability of a foreign court decision, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
pre-trial stage USA vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
III Nsm 249/21Sanok
France vs PolandContact with a minor
XIII RC 1445/21WrocławGreat Britain vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
I C 336/21KaliszGreat Britain vs PolandDivorce procedure
I Ns 1367/19Pruszków

Great Britain vs PolandTestament to the succession
III RC 61/21Pruszków
Germany vs PolandChild support
XI C 3116/21Kraków

RPA vs PolandDivorce procedure
XIII RC 1738/21WrocławBrazil vs PolandDivorce, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
II Ns 260/21WrocławNigeria vs PolandDivision of joint property
I Ns 134/21Białystok

Sweden vs PolandOrdering the return of the child
Pre trial stageZgierz

Irland vs PolandReconciliation of the land and mortgage register with the current legal status
I C 2497/21
Łódź

Irland vs PolandDivorce procedure, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
I C 3020/21
Opole

Divorce procedure, regulation of parental authority and child support payment
I C 186/22Ostrołęka

Philippines vs PhilippinesDivorce procedure
III Nsm 18/22Bartoszyce

Sweden vs PolandExecution of the visitation rights with a minor
XIII Ns 605/21WrocławPortugal vs PolandReturn of a child under the provisions of the Hague Convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction as of 25. October 1980 (Journal of Laws of September 25, 1995)
XI C 904/22
Kraków

Divorce procedure
III Nsm 778/21Świdnica

Portugal vs PolandLimitation of the parental authority
III Nsm 177/22Pisz

USA vs PolandRegulation of the parental authority and visitation rights
Pre trial stage
Pisz

Usa v PolandRegulation of parental responsibility
III Nsm 814/22
WrocławGermany vs PolandRegulation of the parental authority and visitation rights
X RC 98/22Szczecin

South Africa vs PolandDivorce procedure
XIV C 817/22
Poznań/Piła

Denmark vs PolandDivorce, alimony and custody proceedings for minors
III RC 389/22
WrocławGermany vs PolandDetermination of separation of property
X Rs 291/22
Szczecin

Ukraine vs Ukraine Return of the child under the Hague Convention
I C 706/20
Tarnów

India vs Poland Divorce case
X C 1961/22
Bydgoszcz

Mongolia vs PolandDivorce case
III C 2342/22
Lublin

Poland vs IndiaDivorce case
V RC 129/22
Częstochowa

England vs PolandThe case for the settlement of maintenance obligations
I C 2593/22
Płock

Switzerland vs PolandDivorce, alimony and custody proceedings for minors
XIII RC 2615/22
WrocławGreat Britain vs PolandDivorce, alimony and custody proceedings for minors
VII RC 15/23
Łódź

South America vs PolandEstablishing a maintenance obligation
VIII Nsm 114/23
Łódź

South America vs PolandDetermination of parental authority and contact with the minor
III Nsm 106/23
Sanok

France vs Poland Establishment of contacts with the minor
III Nsm 451/22Zduńska Wola

Italy vs PolandDetermining the whereabouts of the minor
X RC 2341/20
Szczecin

USA vs PolandDivorce, alimony and custody proceedings for minors
X RC 682/23Szczecin

USA vs PolandDivorce, alimony, custody of minors and parental authority
XI C 1145/23Kraków

Belgium vs UkraineDivorce
VII C 48/23WarszawaSouth America vs PolandDivorce
V RC 163/23WarszawaSouth America vs PolandFinding of separation of property
Pre trial stage

Poland vs TurkeyDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
Pre trial stage

WarsawIran vs PolandDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
III Nsm 1609/23
Wrocław
Poland vs Brazil Taking away a person subject to parental authority
III Nsm 1619/23
WrocławPoland vs Brazil Modification of the judgment on parental authority
Pre trial stage
Warszawa
Italy vs PolandDivorce
III Nsm 60/24

Sanok
France vs Poland Decision on important matters of the child
III Nsm 58/24

Sanok
France vs Poland Threat to order payment
III RCo 24/24WrocławIndia vs IndiaApproval of the settlement reached before a mediator on the issue of contact with the minor
III RC 107/23LubartówNetherlands vs PolandEstablishment of paternity and alimony obligation
I C 2944/23KielceDenmark vs PolandDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
Pre trial stageWrocławPoland vs USADivorce
II C 1758/23ŁódźPoland vs SerbiaDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
XI C 1764/23 SzczecinIreland vs PolandDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
Pre trial stageKrakówItaly vs Poland Establishment of paternity, regulation of parental authority, contact with a minor child and maintenance obligations
Pre trial stage

Kobierzyce Poland vs Poland

Determining the whereabouts of minors, parental authority and the manner of contact with minors

XII C 2325/23

Poznań Germany vs Poland

Divorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority

Pre trial stageWrocławItaly vs UkraineDetermination of parental authority, method of contact with the minor and alimony
Pre trial stageWarszawaDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
V Nsm 138/23WarszawaFrance vs PolandRegulation of parental authority, residence and contact with a minor child
Pre trial stageEstonia vs EstoniaIssue of parental abduction, regulation of parental authority, residence and contact with a minor child
Pre trial stageLublinPhilippines vs PolandDivorce
Pre trial stageWarszawaSpain vs SpainDivorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority

I 2 C 890/23

KoszalinUS vs Poland

Divorce
XIII RC 1122/24

Wrocław

Poland vs France

Divorce, alimony, contact with minors, custody of minors and parental authority
X RNs 457/23

SzczecinPoland vs Greece

Ordering the return of the minor

Testimonials

“I had a great experience working with Ms. Lewicka on my divorce. Living in Singapore and having my ex-wife moved to Poland, Ms. Lewicka have managed independently the whole process with an ideal outcome of the final result. Excellent, professional, personalized and fully dedicated approach. I strongly recommend!”
Ivan M.
“..we found the Wroclaw based and English speaking company L. Zielonka & Partners. Eureka! With their wonderful advocate Katarzyna Lewicka at the helm, all has been safely secured. Final verdicts, deeds, various fatuous, absurd claims, help with estate agents, so forth. They have been most friendly, supportive, communicative and effective in so many ways…”
David C.
“…Kasia helped me to understand the process of Polish Family court and guided me through the process. I have now a court order for frequent contact with my 5 year old daughter, and we are very happy. I am now planning my first vacation with my daughter this summer and very excited to go on great adventures in Poland. An option for vacations abroad are also part of the court order. I’ve never seen my daughter so happy, a large weight from both our shoulders. Let the good times roll…”
Ruairi M.

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L.Zielonka & Partners Law and Tax Firm Limited Partnership
We provide services throughout the area of Poland. Our lawyers acting of behalf the foreign clients in all courts throughout the area of Poland. Examples of the seat of the court where the trial was provided you can find in page “cases”.

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