Exceptional International Divorce Representation At Your Side

At Zashin Law, our firm excels in managing the complexities of international divorce with unmatched legal acumen. Led by Andrew Zashin, a renowned international family law attorney featured on CNN, The New York Times and The Today Show, our team provides sophisticated solutions across global jurisdictions. We guide our clients through the myriad legal nuances of international divorce, offering solutions that address jurisdictional challenges and cultural complexities.

Are International Divorces Truly Different Than Same State Divorces?

In many respects, the elements of divorce are the same whether the spouses are both U.S. citizens living in the U.S. or are nationals of different sovereign states. Wherever you and your spouse currently reside, you will need to divide your property and determine a child custody schedule. However, there are issues unique to a divorce that cross national borders, starting with the service of process. This can be accomplished in one of three ways:

• Waiver: If both spouses agree to the divorce, the spouse who did not file the divorce can sign a waiver allowing the filing spouse to serve them by mail, email or fax.
• Foreign process server: Another option is to hire a process server in the country where the nonfiling spouse currently resides to serve them in person.
• Service by publication: The court in which you filed for divorce might allow you to publish an advertisement in a paper local to your spouse’s nation and city of residence as a form of notice.

Proper service is necessary to ensure the nonfiling spouse is aware of the divorce proceeding and has time to file a response. Without valid service of process, a civil court filing like a divorce will be dismissed. Most of the time, service is a formality, but it can become more challenging when the spouses live in different countries, especially if the filing spouse has lost touch with the other spouse and does not have their home address.

Jurisdiction is another potential complication in an international divorce. As a married person in the U.S., you have the right to file for divorce in the state in which you have resided for a certain time period, the length of which depends on the state. Once granted, the divorce will be recognized in every other U.S. state and, likely, the country where the other spouse is living. However, this jurisdiction might not include every divorce-related matter.

Property division and child custody tend to be more complex when the parties live in different countries. The logistics of sharing custody or arranging visitation time when the parents live thousands of miles apart can obviously complicate matters. So can martial property that exists in multiple countries.

Other considerations include:

• A possible language barrier between your attorney, the attorney representing your spouse and local court officials
• Cultural considerations when the legal system works differently in the other country or divorce has different societal or religious implications
• The potential need to have an attorney representing you in both jurisdictions, affects your legal fees
• The ability to enforce or amend an existing order once the divorce is final, particularly in countries where the rule of law may be limited
• Privacy and confidentiality of sensitive information
• The process could take longer and involve more steps when international law and possibly conflicting national laws are involved

For these and other reasons, working with an attorney experienced in international divorce is essential. Our firm is prepared to handle the myriad complexities of your divorce with efficiency, compassion and the skill to preserve your parental and financial rights to the fullest extent. Our ability to represent clients involved in divorce cases around the world, with its myriad of legal systems, sets us apart from our peers. We have connections with family law firms in numerous countries, allowing us to refer you to a lawyer you can trust to effectively advance your position in your spouse’s country of residence.

Overcoming International Divorce Challenges

International divorce arises when couples face legal challenges across national borders – whether living in different countries, sharing assets abroad or having married outside their current country of residence. No matter how complex your divorce may seem, we are prepared to address the obligations of multiple legal systems and jurisdictions to defend your best interests. Our approach to international divorce includes the following:

• Jurisdictional complexity: We determine the most appropriate jurisdiction for divorce proceedings, considering all connections to potential jurisdictions to optimize the legal outcomes.
• Division of international assets: Our team ensures fair and lawful distribution of global assets, adhering to relevant international and local laws.
• Child custody and international relocation: We handle custody and relocation with the utmost care, focusing on the child’s best interests while managing international legal considerations.
• Spousal support across borders: We address the complexities of calculating and enforcing spousal support internationally, ensuring equitable treatment under applicable laws.

We also tackle international family law issues that fall under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, resolving issues of wrongful retention and abduction swiftly. We are also prepared to guide you through the enforcement and modification of child support across international lines, ensuring compliance with both international standards and local laws.

Partner With Zashin Law For Global Family Law Services

Choosing the right legal adviser is crucial in international family law cases. Our proven track record in complex, high-stakes international cases demonstrates our capability to exceed sophisticated client needs. Harness our deep legal understanding and proactive approach for your international divorce or family law issues.

Contact our Cleveland office at 888-875-5772 or email us here to schedule your initial consultation today and experience the advantage of working with a law firm that truly grasps the global dimensions of family law.