It is increasingly common for British families to involve one or more partner with connections to another country. This might involve where a couple have relocated or where a UK citizen has married a non-UK national.
While this does not usually result in any significant legal issues during a relationship, there can be some specific issues that will need to be accounted for if your relationship ends. This can be particularly true if you have children together and one parent wishes to take those children abroad.
At Crisp & Co, our family lawyers are highly experienced in advising people on all of the various legal and practical issues involved in international family law. We can provide friendly, expert advice to help cut through any confusion and enable you to navigate any complex issues without unnecessary conflict.
Whether you are facing divorce, need advice with any issues involved with taking children abroad, or are looking for assistance with any other issues related to international family law, we will be happy to discuss your options with you.
For help with any aspect of international family law, please get in touch with our specialist family solicitors in London and across the South East now for friendly, practical advice.
You can call us on 020 8017 8962 or contact your local Crisp & Co office.
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International divorce
If married in the UK and both you and your spouse still live in the UK, there are often no special considerations and you can move forward with your divorce like any other British couples.
However, if you married abroad or you or your spouse no longer live in the UK, there are a number of issues you may need to address. Often the most critical of these is where to start divorce proceedings.
Where to get divorced
Because different countries have different laws around divorce, where the proceedings are initiated can sometimes affect how your divorce progresses. It is therefore important to take expert legal advice as soon as possible when you realise your marriage is over to avoid any disadvantage to you if your spouse pre-empts you by starting divorce proceedings in another country.
International divorce proceedings
The exact process for an international divorce will depend on the country in which proceedings are issued. We will be happy to advise you on how this is likely to impact your particular circumstances, which can often be a key factor in deciding where to initiate divorce proceedings.
International divorce and financial arrangements
Making a financial settlement for your divorce can sometimes be more complicated where there are international considerations. This is particularly likely to be true if your former spouse has significant assets abroad, such as property, shares or business interests.
We have strong experience with helping families to deal with international divorce settlements, so can advise you on the various options and how we can help you to ensure you achieve a fair settlement.
For more information, please take a look at our international divorce services.
Taking children abroad after divorce or separation
To take a child abroad, you need the permission of everyone with parental responsibility for the child. This applies whether you are going abroad permanently or just for a holiday. Failure to obtain consent from everyone with parental responsibility before taking a child abroad could see you charged with child abduction, which is a serious criminal offence.