Firm: AH4 Family Law Experts
Location: Zurich, Switzerland

About Stefanie Althaus

Stefanie Althaus is a founding partner of AH4 Family Law Experts and one of Switzerland’s leading authorities in family law and matrimonial property law. A certified specialist in family law (SAV) and a member of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), Stefanie brings decades of expertise to her practice, advising clients on complex, high-value family law matters—often with international dimensions.

With a clear, pragmatic, and solution-oriented approach, Stefanie combines keen analytical judgment with deep psychological insight. She is widely recognized for her ability to maintain perspective and calm in complex legal and emotional situations, always focused on achieving balanced and sustainable outcomes for her clients.

Professional Focus

Stefanie’s practice centers on complex property and maintenance law issues, particularly for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and business owners. She provides counsel in both domestic and international cases and is particularly known for her expertise in:

• Divorce and separation of high-net-worth individuals
• Complex matrimonial property disputes
• Post-marital maintenance and pension division
• Inheritance law and estate planning
• Prenuptial and inheritance agreements
• Second opinions and expert legal evaluations
• Mediation and collaborative law processes

Stefanie believes in forward-looking planning and constructive, out-of-court solutions. She often facilitates resolutions through mediation and collaborative practice, ensuring her clients achieve long-term stability while minimizing emotional and financial strain.

Approach and Philosophy

Her credo—“Brilliant lawyer with heart”—encapsulates Stefanie’s professional ethos. She is known not only for her intellectual precision but also for her empathy and human understanding. Every strategy she designs is tailored to her client’s circumstances, with the goal of crafting creative, efficient, and enduring solutions.

Academic and Professional Roles

Alongside her practice, Stefanie serves as a lecturer at the University of Zurich, where she teaches advanced modules on property and inheritance law. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and author of numerous articles and commentaries on family and matrimonial property law. Her leadership and scholarship make her one of Switzerland’s most cited voices in modern family law.

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Workshop: “Real Estate in Divorce” – Continuing Education Day for Judges, St. Gallen and Appenzell (2024)
• Presentation: “Maintenance – Basic Principles and Calculation Methods” – Specialist Family Law Course, Fribourg (2024)
• Conference Director: Schulthess Forum Matrimonial Property Law (2023 & 2022)
• Article: “Practical Questions Regarding Surplus Distribution,” FamPra 04/2023
• Workshop: “Case Law on Surplus Distribution – Litigation Risks,” Family Law Symposium, Fribourg (2023)
• Presentation: “Marriage Law for Entrepreneurs and Managers,” Business Law for Managers Program, St. Gallen (2023)
• Commentary: Swiss Civil Code, Articles 114–120, Basel Commentary, 6th Edition (2018)
• Lecture: “Real Estate in Matrimonial Property Disputes,” Foundation for Continuing Education of Swiss Judges (2018–2023)
• Panel Discussion: “Postmarital Maintenance Law at a Turning Point?” (2021)

Education and Qualifications

• Certified Specialist in Family Law (SAV)
• Lecturer, University of Zurich
• Founding Partner, AH4 Family Law Experts

Professional Memberships

• International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
• Swiss Bar Association (SAV)
• Zurich Bar Association

Languages

• German (Native)
• English (Fluent)
• French (Conversational)
• Spanish (Conversational)

Personal Life

Outside of her professional career, Stefanie lives in a multinational marriage and is the proud mother of three children — a son and twin daughters. Balancing her family life and demanding legal work has given her a personal understanding of the challenges her clients face. She recharges by the water, often surfing or spending time outdoors, where she finds balance and inspiration.