Frequently asked questions

Consultation and first contact

• Which areas of law do you specialise in?
  We focus on company, civil, family, criminal, employment, administrative and constitutional law. We also represent clients before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. See all areas under Practice areas.
• How does the first consultation work?
  Please book the initial consultation in advance by phone, by email or through the website form. At the meeting we assess your case, explain your legal options and suggest the next steps, including the expected costs.
• How much does a consultation with a lawyer cost?
  A 30-minute consultation costs EUR 90 including VAT. The price is the same in person, by phone or online and covers the lawyer’s preparation, an assessment of your situation and a proposed solution. You can book it on the Consultation page.
• What documents should I bring to the first meeting?
  Everything related to your matter: contracts, correspondence, court decisions, invoices and so on. The more information we have, the more precise our advice can be.
• Can I contact you outside office hours?
  Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 to 16:00. Meetings at the office take place by appointment. Emails received outside office hours are handled on the next working day. In urgent cases, please call us.

Online consultation and confidentiality

• How does an online legal consultation work?
  Once you have booked, the lawyer contacts you at the agreed time by phone or video call (Google Meet, Zoom). Over 30 minutes they assess your situation, explain your legal options and suggest a specific course of action.
• Is an online consultation as good as meeting in person?
  Yes. An online consultation is led by the same lawyer as a meeting at the office. For most legal questions an online meeting is entirely sufficient. Meeting in person is better when a large number of documents need to be reviewed.
• Is the information from the consultation confidential?
  Yes. A lawyer is bound by a statutory duty of confidentiality under Section 23 of Act No. 586/2003 Coll. on the Legal Profession. Everything you tell the lawyer is confidential, whether the consultation is in person, by phone or online.
• Can I decide on legal representation after the consultation?
  Yes. The consultation is non-binding and does not commit you to anything further. If you want to continue, we will agree the terms of representation in a separate contract for legal services.

Fees, costs and where we work

• How are lawyers’ fees determined?
  Mainly by agreement between the lawyer and the client. The fee can be hourly, a fixed fee, a share of the outcome or based on the tariff in Decree No. 655/2004 Coll. of the Slovak Ministry of Justice. We will tell you the exact amount once we have assessed your case. Indicative prices are in our fees.
• Do I pay the lawyer’s fee in advance?
  A lawyer may ask for a reasonable advance on the fee and on expenses. Payment terms are agreed in the contract for legal services.
• Are court fees included in the lawyer’s fee?
  No. Court and administrative fees, expert fees and other expenses are not part of the lawyer’s fee and are paid by the client separately. The lawyer will tell you about the expected expenses in advance.
• How long does it take to deal with a legal matter?
  It depends on the matter. Some things, such as setting up a limited company, usually take about a week. Court proceedings can take months or even years, depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s workload.
• Do you represent clients outside Žilina?
  Yes. We are based in Žilina but represent clients from the whole Žilina region, including Martin, Čadca, Považská Bystrica, Ružomberok and Bytča, as well as clients from abroad. More on the Where we work page.

Companies and business

• What documents do I need to set up a limited company (s.r.o.)?
  A deed of incorporation (for a single founder) or a memorandum of association (for several founders). Since 17 August 2026 it must take the form of a notarial deed or a document authorised by a lawyer (Section 57(1) and (3) of the Commercial Code as amended from 17 August 2026). You also need a statement by the contribution administrator, the property owner’s consent to the registered office and a trade licence.
• Do I have to come to the office in person to set up or change a company?
  Yes, one visit is needed. When authorising the documents, the lawyer verifies the identity of the people involved in person at our office at Národná 15 in Žilina. Please bring two identity documents (for example an ID card and a passport or driving licence). We exchange the paperwork by email beforehand and file the application with the commercial register electronically, so the rest happens without you having to be present.
• Does an online shop need legal documents prepared by a lawyer?
  Yes. Running an online shop requires well-prepared terms and conditions, a returns and complaints policy, a privacy policy and cookie consent that comply with the law. Poorly prepared documents can lead to fines from the Slovak Trade Inspection or the Office for Personal Data Protection.

Family, inheritance, employment and property

• How long do divorce proceedings take in Slovakia?
  Usually 3 to 12 months. In an uncontested divorce, where the spouses agree on everything, one hearing may be enough and the proceedings take 2 to 4 months. A contested divorce involving minor children can take more than a year.
• Does the minimum child maintenance apply even if a parent has no income?
  Yes. Under Section 62(3) of the Slovak Family Act, every parent must pay the minimum maintenance regardless of their abilities, means or financial situation. If a parent has no income, the court may base its decision on their potential income (Section 75(1) of the Family Act).
• How long does probate take, and what if the heirs disagree?
  Usually 3 to 12 months, depending on the complexity of the estate. If the heirs cannot agree on how to divide it, the notary refers the matter to the court, which decides the disputed points. Heirs may also agree on a division that differs from the statutory shares. If an heir challenges the validity of the will, the proceedings can take 2 to 4 years.
• Can I refuse an inheritance that comes with debts?
  Yes. Under Section 463 of the Civil Code you can refuse an inheritance by an express and unconditional declaration within one month of being informed of this right by the court (notary). You cannot refuse only the debts and keep the assets. Once accepted, an inheritance cannot be refused, and the heir is liable for the deceased’s debts up to the value of the inherited assets (Section 470 of the Civil Code).
• How many written warnings must an employer give before dismissal?
  The Slovak Labour Code requires one written warning about possible dismissal in connection with a breach of work discipline within the six months before dismissal (Section 63(1)(e)). The law does not require more warnings, but in the case of repeated minor breaches they strengthen the employer’s position as evidence.
• How long does debt recovery take?
  It depends on the route: a payment order usually takes 15 days to 3 months, a lawsuit 6 to 18 months and enforcement proceedings 6 to 24 months. Recovery out of court with a formal letter before action can succeed within a few weeks.
• What documents do I need to transfer property through the land register?
  A purchase (or gift) contract in writing with the transferor’s signatures officially certified. The application for registration with the land register must include the contract in two copies, documents proving the right to dispose of the property (title deed) and the administrative fee. When transferring a flat, a statement from the building manager on any arrears is also required.

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