International divorce & financial disputes

In the event of a relationship breakdown, complications may arise due to the differences in family law between two or more countries. Those issues may involve cross jurisdictional divorces and financial settlements.

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When international couples separate or divorce, a number of legal issues arise.

We are here to help you choose the correct jurisdiction and consider the impact of other cross border implications.

Where should a divorce take place, where should the children reside, how should worldwide assets be valued and divided? We understand the challenges you are facing because we help people like you every day.

We have the knowledge, experience, and the ability to act decisively to dramatically affect the outcome of your case. We can offer the right support and expertise in a timely manner. We have extensive experience in dealing with the most complex international cases, and have collaborative relationships with an entire network of experts who we can place at your fingertips.

Complex financial interests across multiple jurisdictions.

We also take a proactive approach by advising on tax or international expansion whilst protecting assets from the impact of relationship breakdown and divorce. We have a proven track record in dealing with HNW and UHNW individuals with complex financial interests and assets across multiple jurisdictions. We have a full-service offering covering cross-border wealth protection. Business leaders from a wide range of sectors can rely on us to help them manage the challenges they face at work or at home. Ranging from drafting wills and prenuptial(and post nuptial agreements), whilst also offering advice on tax issues.

We pride ourselves on offering our clients, commercially robust advice, assisting them in dealing with the challenges of operating in multiple jurisdictions from a business or personal perspective.

Couples who want to prepare for every eventuality including relationship breakdown can enjoy the benefit of our expertise to draft pre and post marital agreements, which are highly persuadable and likely to be upheld by the English family courts if the right expert advice is taken. The document will be tailored to meet your specific needs and that of your family.

We are also able to advise on enforcement issues whether you have obtained a divorce oversees or require an English court order to be enforced abroad.

Call our international family team today


  • We have legal connections around the world

    We work closely with firms in over 20 jurisdictions to ensure that their clients achieve the best outcome. We have excellent links with foreign members of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) to ensure that you have access to the best advice. We are also a member of Interleges, which enables us to work with solicitors across the world on matters that may require international expertise.

  • We understand how different countries’ laws can affect your outcome

    It is necessary to have extensive knowledge of international law when advising clients who have lived or married abroad or may have assets such as a property in another country. Careful thought and advice will be given in relation to which jurisdiction would be best to carry out your divorce proceedings or proceedings relating to children. It is essential to issue proceedings in the correct country to ensure that you can achieve the best possible financial settlement and to ensure that you can enforce any order made.

  • We know what to do if a child is moved from a country without permission

    We also advise on many international issues relevant to children and the international relocation of children. If you wish to move or travel abroad with your child or maybe you wish to prevent a child from being taken abroad then we can help. We also advise on international child abduction to include when a child is taken or retained abroad without consent or when a child is brought to this country without consent.

Our international credentials

Acting on behalf of the Husband who sought a stay of the English divorce proceedings which was successfully granted.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Acting for a Father seeking an international relocation which was achieved.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Acting for a Father in Article 21 (Right of Access) proceedings who successfully achieved a contact order whilst the Father is residing in the USA.

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Derek Parsons
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Advising and drafting Pre-nuptial agreements with assets abroad and liaising with international experts to ensure worldwide mirror agreements.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Assisting and advising on a divorce and financial remedy case for the Wife with assets abroad and complex business structures with entities based in Guernsey which required independent valuations.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Acting on behalf of a Father who contested the move of his child out of the jurisdiction.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Issuing emergency proceedings in England to seize jurisdiction.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Acting for a Father who successfully achieved an child relocation from Wales back to the Republic of Ireland.

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Derek Parsons
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Successfully acting for the wife in divorce and financial remedy proceedings with assets in multiple jurisdictions.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Advising on a divorce and financial remedy matter with a Canadian trust.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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Assisting on an international cross border disputes with litigation in several countries.

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Ursula Danagher | Natalie Lemonides
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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about international family law

“My wife / husband has moved abroad, can I start divorce proceedings here?”

Yes, provided certain criteria are met, and provided no divorce proceedings have already been started abroad. If you are concerned that your partner may start proceedings abroad and you would prefer for your divorce to be dealt with in England, it is very important that you contact us urgently. Issuing proceedings in the correct jurisdiction is essential in financial proceedings to achieve the best possible financial settlement, and practical matters such as attendance at hearings abroad and the language in which proceedings will be conducted must not be overlooked.

“My partner has taken our children abroad and refuses to return to the UK. Can I get them back?”

A lot will depend on where your children have been taken. We can advise on international child abduction to include when a child is taken or retained abroad without consent or when a child is brought to this country without consent. It is vital that early advice is sought on these issues.

“I would like to move abroad with our children but my ex-partner would not agree to their relocation. Do I need my ex-partners consent?”

In order to remove your child from England & Wales on a permanent basis you will need the consent of every person who has parental responsibility for your child. We can advise you on how to obtain that consent both out of Court and by issuing proceedings.

“I am in two minds about starting divorce proceedings in England or abroad. Can you advise me about my options?”

We are only authorised to advise on the basis of the law of England & Wales. However, we are highly experienced in advising clients on foreign elements in family matters and we are a member of Interleges which enables us to work with lawyers across the world on matters that may require the expertise of a solicitor in a different legal system.

Our services

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Children Disputes
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Domestic abuse solicitors
If you find yourself in an abusive relationship it can be extremely hard to find a way out. If you or a member of your family are a victim of domestic abuse it is important that you contact our team today.
Injunctions and emergency remedies
On some occasions the best way to protect yourself or your loved ones against unwanted access to your information or finances is to apply for an injunction. Our team are well placed to issue court proceedings in an emergency.
Pre and post-nuptial agreements
No one goes into a marriage thinking that it won’t work out, but unfortunately it’s the sad reality that more than one in three marriages end in divorce. A prenuptial agreement can be a simple but effective way to safeguard your interests should your marriage breakdown.
Family Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, Collaborative Law and Mediation
Our mediation and family dispute resolution services can help you and your partner come to a joint decision about the best solution for your family in relation to your children and/or finances on separation, divorce or dissolution of your civil partnership.
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