International family law solicitors
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Our team of experienced international family law solicitors is dedicated to providing tailored legal advice and support to clients facing cross-border family disputes, including international divorce, child custody, and financial settlements.
At Moore Barlow, we understand that family law issues can be complex and emotionally challenging, especially when they involve international elements. As a leading international family law team, we have extensive experience of supporting our clients with specialist knowledge and advice to help resolve their international relationship issues.
If you are living with or are married to someone from outside the UK, or you have been living in another country, the situation becomes more complicated legally if your relationship breaks down.
What is international family law?
International family law is an area of law that deals with the legal issues arising from international family relationships, including divorce, child arrangements, and financial matters. It involves understanding how the laws of different countries may impact in cross-border cases. International family law can be complex, and it is important to seek the advice of a specialist lawyer with experience in this area.
The intricacies of family law across borders
If your relationship breaks down outside the UK, one of the main issues is in which jurisdiction the divorce or other family issues are to be settled. This could be time-sensitive; the time and date the proceedings are issued can influence where they will take place. If children are involved and are currently in another country, with whom they live and the visiting arrangements can become even more emotionally charged issues. There may be aspects of international relocation to consider if you each wish to live in different countries after the separation or divorce. It’s important to get specialist advice from one of our lawyers experienced in international family law as early as possible in the process.
Other aspects of the case that may become more complex when different jurisdictions are involved are wealth protection and the division of the financial assets upon a divorce. Pre- and post-nuptial agreements can be especially helpful in avoiding some of these difficulties, provided they are drawn up to reflect the laws in the different jurisdictions, which our team of expert solicitors will be able to assist you with.
Many of our clients are ex-pats living abroad or people who have married non-UK nationals and have homes in both countries. As part of our international law practice, we recognise and understand the complications that can arise from these specific relationship issues and have the resources and knowledge to give you appropriate, pragmatic advice. We also work closely with specialist Barristers in this field of family law and specialist lawyers in other jurisdictions to provide support and advice.
Our team of family law solicitors
How we can help
Our expert advice is most often required in relation to international family matters in the following areas:
- Divorce: advice on which jurisdiction the divorce should take place in.
- Child abduction: when a child is unlawfully removed by one parent or a third party from the other. It is essential in cases like these that you act quickly with a legal response.
- Relocation: when one partner wishes to relocate to another country after the separation.
- Securing a financial settlement: making sure that the final financial agreement deals with the assets in all jurisdictions.
- Obtaining a financial settlement after a foreign divorce: when a divorce occurs in another jurisdiction, but claims have to be made in the courts of England and Wales for assets located here such as property or pension rights, after the foreign divorce has concluded.
Why choose our international family law solicitors?
Choosing our international family law solicitors ensures that you receive expert legal advice and representation in complex cross-border family law matters. Our team has extensive experience in dealing with international divorce, child custody, and relocation cases. We are committed to providing a personalised service that meets your needs and achieves the best possible outcome for you and your family.
How can our international family law solicitors help?
We have a team of international family law solicitors who can provide expert legal advice and representation for clients facing complex family law issues that cross international borders. With extensive knowledge of international law, we can assist with matters such as international divorce, child custody and relocation, and international adoption. Our team is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective solutions to help our clients navigate the complexities of international family law.
We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking and offer specialist support and advice to clients nationally and internationally. Please contact us for more information.
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Frequently asked questions about international family law
What is international family law?
International family law refers to family legal issues that cross borders. This could be where a UK national is navigating divorce proceedings in another jurisdiction, where there are overseas assets that need to be divided in a divorce, or when arrangements need to be made for children who possibly live or spend much of their time in another country or have dual nationality.
This can be very challenging due to the varying laws in different countries which add a layer of complexity to proceedings. It can be hard to manage a separation or divorce at any time, but when international issues are involved, it’s even more important to make sure that your interests and rights are protected and represented appropriately.
International family law and children matters
When there are children involved emotions are heightened. However, with the addition of international legal issues, such as where the children are habitually resident or where they spend their time overseas, this can add to the distress felt at this difficult time.
Whether the issue is around where the child or children will live, who will be caring for them for the majority of the time, where and how they will be educated, how and when the other parent will be able to spend time with them or any financial provision for the children, this all needs to be considered in the context of the different laws in the countries involved.
Therefore, it’s of the utmost importance that you access specialist advice to help manage the situation throughout the process.
International family law and finances
Separating finances and coming to an agreement on the division of any assets is often one of the most protracted aspects of any divorce or separation especially where there are overseas assets to take into consideration. You and your spouse/partner might have properties overseas, business interests and shares in foreign companies; there may be off-shore trusts and foreign account/investments that need to be properly analysed to achieve a fair and comprehensive financial agreement after the separation.
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