Family Law
For our local, regional, and international clients, we offer assistance in family law matters — resolving issues concerning divorce, custody, maintenance, separation, lump sum payments, property settlement, and matters concerning international child abduction under the United Nations Convention.
Comprehensive support for difficult family transitions
For spouses, parents, guardians, and relatives who need guidance on separation, divorce, custody, access, maintenance, domestic-violence-related applications, or family-property issues.
Finding a skilled family law attorney in Trinidad and Tobago matters because family disputes rarely stay simple for long. What begins as a conversation about separation can quickly involve children’s living arrangements, maintenance obligations, the family home, and urgent protective orders — sometimes all at once. At Martin George & Company, we have been guiding clients through these intersecting pressures since 1992, and we understand that the decisions made early in a family dispute often shape outcomes for years to come. Whether you are a spouse, a parent, a guardian, or an adult child dealing with a family estate, the starting point is the same: getting a clear picture of your legal position before taking steps you cannot reverse.
Family law in Trinidad and Tobago is governed by a connected set of statutes. Divorce proceedings fall under the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, Chapter 45:51, with the sole ground being irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, established through one of five facts: separation for one year (with both parties’ consent) or two years (one applying), unreasonable behaviour, desertion, or adultery. Custody, access, and child-welfare matters are governed by the Children Act 2012, under which the court’s overriding concern is the best interests of the child. Protection from domestic violence is available under the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 45:56, with interim orders available on an ex parte basis where there is immediate risk. Cohabitational relationships have their own regime under the Cohabitational Relationships Act, Chapter 45:55. Each statute has its own procedural route, and missing a step or filing too late can affect both the outcome and the cost.
The firm’s family law service is broader than most clients initially expect. Beyond divorce and custody, it includes matters such as adoption, guardianship, legal separation, common-law partner rights under the Cohabitational Relationships Act, international child abduction and recovery under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and a range of protective orders and injunctions. Matrimonial-property division under the MPP Act gives the court broad discretion — there is no automatic 50/50 split, and a spouse who was not in paid employment can still have a strong claim to the family home and other assets. Equally, a spouse whose name is not on the title deed may still have enforceable rights, particularly under the Married Women’s Property Act and developing case law on contributions. Early legal advice is essential — actions taken or not taken before formal proceedings begin can significantly affect what is recoverable.
Services in this practice area
- Adoption
- Divorce
- Child Support
- Custody
- Legal Separation
- Spousal Support
- Guardianship
- Mediation
- Maintenance
- Alimony
- Access Orders
- Restraining Orders
- Matrimonial Injunctions
- Expulsion Orders
- Domestic Violence Applications
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders
- International Child Abduction Claims & Recovery
- Hague Convention on International Rights of the Child
- Legal Custody
- Visitation Rights
- Annulment of Marriage
- Separation Agreements
- Common-Law Spouses / Co-Habitational Rights
- Matrimonial Proceedings
- Property Settlement
- Lump-Sum Payments
- Dissolution of Marriage
- Adultery
- Desertion
- Abandonment
- Enforcement of Orders for Maintenance Payments
- Enforcement of Orders for Property Settlement
- Applications for Decree Nisi
- Applications for Decree Absolute
- S.47 Declarations in relation to Children
When you come in for a consultation, the first thing we will do is listen — to the relationship history, to any court papers or orders already in place, to the questions around children, money, and property, and to anything urgent that may need immediate attention. You do not need to arrive with a full legal theory; you need to arrive with the documents you have and an honest account of where things stand. Useful items to bring include any marriage certificate or cohabitation documents, existing court orders or correspondence from the other party, financial records if maintenance or property is involved, and notes on any incidents relevant to safety or welfare.
Our approach in family matters is practical rather than combative. Where negotiation or mediation can reach a fair outcome more quickly and with less damage to ongoing relationships — especially where children are involved — we will explore that path. Where the other party is not engaging in good faith, or where safety is at risk, we move into court proceedings with the same thoroughness we bring to every contested matter. Clients across Port of Spain, Tobago, and throughout Trinidad and Tobago should not have to navigate these pressures without proper legal support. Our role is to make the process understandable, manage the legal risk, and keep your focus on what matters most.
Further reading at law.martingeorge.net
For deeper background on T&T family law, see the firm’s legal education site:
Divorce and separation
Guidance on contested and uncontested divorce, separation strategy, pleadings, and the practical steps that follow the breakdown of a marriage.
Custody, access, and parenting disputes
Representation in matters involving where children live, how contact is structured, and what arrangements best protect their welfare and stability.
Maintenance and financial support
Advice and advocacy for child maintenance, spousal support, variation applications, and enforcement issues when financial arrangements break down.
Domestic-violence-related applications
Urgent support where protective orders, immediate safety concerns, or court intervention may be required.
Built for clients dealing with Trinidad and Tobago legal realities, deadlines, and procedural demands.
Matters we handle
Common instructions in this area
- Divorce and judicial separation matters
- Custody, access, and parenting disagreements
- Maintenance applications and variation requests
- Domestic violence related court applications
- Family-property disputes arising after separation
- Adoption and guardianship related issues
- Applications for decree nisi and decree absolute
- Cohabitation and relationship-breakdown concerns
- International child-abduction and Hague Convention linked issues
- Section 47 declarations in relation to children
What to expect
How the first stage usually works
- Begin with a consultation to understand the relationship history, child-related concerns, urgent safety issues, and any court deadlines already in motion.
- Gather the key documents, timeline notes, court papers, and financial information needed to assess the right application or response.
- Move into negotiation, urgent applications, or court proceedings depending on the level of conflict and the protection or orders needed.
Why clients use this practice
Sensitive but direct guidance
Family matters are handled with empathy, but without losing focus on deadlines, evidence, and the orders the court can actually make.
Court-ready when needed
Where negotiation or settlement is not enough, the page and intake flow are built around preparing clients for formal applications and contested hearings.
Built for Trinidad and Tobago realities
The service copy reflects local issues clients actually face, including Family Court procedure, maintenance disputes, and urgent applications tied to child welfare or safety.
Related attorneys
Your Family Law Legal Team
Meet the attorneys most closely connected to family work.
Martin George
Senior Partner & Lead Counsel
Senior Partner and Lead Counsel with more than 30 years of practice in the courts of Trinidad and Tobago, leading the firm across all of its practice areas with a calm, measured, results-driven approach.
Keshavi Khoorban
Partner, Attorney-at-Law
Partner at Martin George & Company with the firm since 2017, focused on civil law including Industrial Court matters, matrimonial and family law, and estate and probate.
Frequently asked questions
How is divorce usually approached in Trinidad and Tobago?
Divorce in Trinidad and Tobago is governed by the Matrimonial Proceedings and Property Act, Chapter 45:51. The sole ground is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, established through one of five facts: separation for one year (with both parties' consent) or two years (one applying), unreasonable behaviour, desertion, or adultery. An uncontested divorce typically takes 12-18 months from filing to decree absolute.
What does the court look at in custody and access disputes?
Under the Children Act 2012, the court's overriding concern is the best interests of the child — stability, safety, day-to-day care, the child's bonds with each parent, the child's expressed wishes (depending on age), and any safeguarding risks including domestic violence. Custody can be sole, joint, or split with structured access.
Can urgent protective orders be sought in family matters?
Yes. Under the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 45:56, the Magistrates' Court can grant a Protection Order where there is evidence of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other domestic abuse. Interim orders can be made on an ex parte basis where there is immediate risk.
Ready to discuss your matter?
Speak with the firm about family issues, timelines, and the best next step for your situation.