Expert legal advice for international couples wishing to divorce in London
Married couples or civil partners who were born in different countries, or who have lived or worked abroad for significant periods during their relationship, will need to think about a number of things that other couples looking to go their separate ways do not need to consider, including:
- in which country your divorce or dissolution proceedings should be started, where a choice exists;
- who the children should live with and how time should be split between the parents, particularly if one of them plans to move abroad for work or to travel regularly; and
- how money and property in different countries ought to be divided up in a fair way.
Which country should I divorce in?
We can take steps to increase the likelihood of the courts in London agreeing to handle your case, including ensuring that proceedings are issued here before anywhere else. This is an important consideration because:
- it will usually be the courts in the country where proceedings are issued first that will be entitled to deal with the case; and
- the court that receives the paperwork first will be a relevant (albeit not determinative) factor in deciding where the proceedings should take place.
Accordingly, time can be of the essence so in these circumstances we recommend that you take advice as quickly as possible in order to ensure that you have the widest choice of options open to you.
Making arrangements for children
Getting a financial settlement
If you are already divorced or have had your civil partnership dissolved, and your case was determined in another country, we may be able to help you enforce the terms of any foreign court order that relates to money or property held in England and Wales. In some circumstances, we may also be able help you challenge the amount of financial provision made for you by a foreign court where this is demonstrably unfair or inadequate.