New Regulation on Indefinite Alimony: Ministry of Justice Points to October

New Regulation on Indefinite Alimony: Ministry of Justice Points to October

The latest development in the ongoing indefinite poverty alimony debate comes from Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. In a statement made on September 7, 2026, Minister Gürlek announced that the regulation intended to fundamentally resolve the indefinite alimony issue will be introduced as part of a new judicial reform package expected in October.

Background: The Constitutional Court's Annulment Decision

On June 4, 2026, Turkey's Constitutional Court annulled the provision that allowed indefinite poverty alimony to be awarded to a divorced spouse, finding it unconstitutional. The annulment's entry into force was postponed by 9 months from the date of publication in the Official Gazette; if no new legislation is enacted within that period, the legal basis for the current indefinite alimony provision will disappear. This is why passing a new regulation is critical.

The Ministry's Announcement: How Will the New System Work?

According to Minister Gürlek's statement, the new regulation does not abolish indefinite alimony altogether — instead, it gives judges greater discretion. Under the proposed model, a judge will be able to award indefinite alimony or limit it to a fixed period, based on an assessment of the parties' social and financial circumstances, their degree of fault, and the specifics of the case. Earlier reports had also floated models tying alimony duration to the length of the marriage; the final content of the regulation will become clear once the text is submitted to Parliament in October.

What Does This Mean for Current and Future Alimony Recipients?

The regulation has not yet become law, so for now there is no change for those currently receiving or awarded indefinite alimony. Once the law passes Parliament, transitional provisions will clarify how existing alimony rulings are affected by the new regulation. We are following developments closely and will keep our clients informed as the situation becomes clearer.

Source: Justice Minister Akın Gürlek's press statement of September 7, 2026; the Constitutional Court's annulment decision of June 4, 2026.

This content is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. As the regulation is still in the legislative process, we recommend following developments and consulting a lawyer about your specific situation.