It is a common misconception that the right to maintain personal relations with the child is the exclusive right of the separating parent. The child has the right to have contact with both parents, and maintaining a healthy relationship is not only a parental right but also an obligation. But this can often be made very difficult, or even impossible, by the cohabiting parent. This right can only be restricted in the child's own best interests - never at the arbitrary discretion of a parent. The legislator and the courts always put the child's interests first: the interests and rights of the child are always better protected in family law than parental rights.

The effects of divorce on children

The best thing for a child is to grow up in a healthy, loving family environment: a possible divorce with major disputes can cause serious damage to the child's mental health. As a result of prolonged divorce proceedings, it is not uncommon for children to suffer from depression, self-doubt and, in extreme cases, post-traumatic stress or borderline syndrome.

In order to avoid these problems, it is extremely important for parents to divorce in a dignified, amicable way and to continue to work together in order to raise their children. We often recommend the involvement of a mental health therapist/psychologist to achieve this level of cooperation. You need them just as much as you need a good lawyer!

Parental alienation

Unfortunately, peaceful divorce and cooperation between divorced parents cannot always be achieved. Parents tend to complain to their child about their ex-spouse. In more radical cases, they make up stories, using untrue or exaggerated characteristics to portray the other party in a negative light in front of the child. This is intended to manipulate the child's thoughts and feelings towards the other parent. This often puts children in a loyalty conflict, a situation where they feel like they have to choose between parents. This will not benefit neither the parents, nor the child.

In law and psychology, this phenomenon occurs so often that its most serious form has its own name. When a parent speaks negatively about their co-parent in order to influence their child emotionally, it is called parental alienation.

The Hungarian Civil Code states that the best interest of the child must be taken into account during the entire divorce process. A parent who repeats insulting expressions in front of the child, especially baseless accusations, indirectly prevents the child from maintaining a healthy relationship with the other parent, and often violates general principles of civil law such as the prohibition of abuse of rights and the requirement of good faith and honesty.

However, an irresponsible parents can cause an even more serious problems: a child who grows up in a lie and is raised by a single parent because the other parent has successfully "alienated", can suffer such a breakdown that hinders the child's healthy intellectual, emotional and physical development.

What should I do in such a case?

First of all, we recommend negotiation between the parties with the involvement of an independent mediator. The mediator can be a mutual, confidential friend, or even relative, but in most cases it is better to choose a professional mediator, or a mental health professional.

If peaceful negotiations with the ex-partner are unsuccessful, it may worth requesting legal advice and representation.

In case of further disputes, it is necessary to warn the other party that if he does not refrain from such and similar expressions in the future, the behaviour can result in a change of custody. Parental alienation can also be considered a form of child abuse.

It is therefore important to draw attention to the serious dangers of this behavior and to look for the real reason and motivation that leads to the use of children as tools in the battle of adults. In such situations, family members and friends also have an extremely high responsibility. In any case where it is suspected that a child is being exposed to parental alienation, immediate steps are needed to prevent any harm.

If you have any questions regarding custody, parental rights and obligations, or other family law topics, please feel free to contact us!

As of 1 March 2026, a significant amendment has entered into force in Hungarian real estate law affecting condominium developments: the legislator has introduced a new legal institution, the Condominium Right of Improvement (társasházi építményi jog).

The new regime was enacted, inter alia, through amendments to Act CXXXIII of 2003 on Condominiums and Act C of 2021 on the Real Estate Registry. Its purpose is to provide a more structured and secure legal framework for purchasers in condominium projects under construction.

In this article we summarise the practical implications of the Condominium Right of Improvement for developers, purchasers and financing institutions.

Decree 2/2026 (II. 19.) KTM amends two existing legislative instruments: on the one hand, it clarifies the rules governing the allocation of topographical lot numbers (place numbers) to independent real properties; on the other hand, it introduces detailed amendments to the provisions concerning the fees payable for specified land registry proceedings, as well as for the provision of data from the land registry and from state basic data registers.

On 19 February 2026, Government Decree 28/2026 (II. 19.) was promulgated, introducing an important amendment to the implementing regulation of the electricity (Government Decree 273/2007 (X. 19.) – hereinafter: “Implementing Decree”). The purpose of the amendment is to ensure that inverter replacements carried out in connection with the Home Energy Storage Programme („Otthoni Energiatároló Program”), launched in 2025 and announced for 2026, do not result in unfavourable settlement consequences for operators of household-sized small power plants.

The Home Energy Storage Programme is a state aid scheme designed to promote the installation of battery energy storage systems connected to residential photovoltaic systems. Within the framework of the programme, households may apply for non-repayable grants, subject to specified conditions, for the establishment of energy storage systems.

In this article, we present the essence and practical relevance of the legislative amendment, as well as the legal framework within which inverter replacements and settlement-related issues must be assessed.

Government Decree No. 415/2025 (XII. 23.) on the amendment of consumer protection–related government decrees with a view to ensuring a higher level of consumer protection introduces substantial changes in the field of consumer protection as of 2026.

In this article, we briefly summarise those amendments which will be perceptible to consumers in everyday life and may be of particular practical importance from 2026 onwards.

Government Decree No. 415/2025 (XII. 23.) amends a total of six government decrees related to consumer protection.
The objectives of the amendments are, on the one hand, to strengthen consumer protection and, on the other hand, to reduce the administrative burden on businesses, while also ensuring compliance with EU law and legal harmonisation.

Government Decree No. 448/2025 (XII. 29.) amends Government Decree No. 327/2015 (XI. 10.) on the detailed rules of professional practice related to surveying and cartographic activities for non-cadastral purposes by introducing a new concept and new rules. These amendments will enter into force on 14 January 2026.

The most significant change is the introduction of the concept of the planning base map, the preparation of which now mandatorily requires the setting out of the property boundary.

In practice, the new regulation aims to ensure more uniform, more accurate and, from the perspective of the planning process, more reliable base maps, which may help prevent future conflicts and legal disputes. At the same time, the additional requirements are likely to slow down procedures and increase costs, and stakeholders should be prepared for this impact.