In today’s global society, many relationships contain international components. Recent immigrants to the U.S., foreign nationals, and lifelong U.S. citizens may choose to live in one of many foreign countries. When minor children are involved, issues regarding child custody and visitation quickly become complicated and contentious.
Based in St. Paul, Family Law Attorneys Maxim Smith represents clients throughout Minnesota, the United States, and the globe.
Resolving International Child Custody Disputes
If your child’s other parent took your child out of the country without your permission or is refusing to return your child to the United States after visiting a foreign country, there is hope.
At Maxim Smith, lawyer Allison Maxim is well-versed in the nuances surrounding international child custody disputes. Under her guidance, our firm has helped many parents navigate complex international treaties, foreign laws, and U.S. laws to protect their children and preserve their parent-child relationships.
Under an international treaty called the Hague Convention, member countries are required to honor child custody orders and return children to their rightful residence. Allison Maxim has experience in both state and federal court negotiating the return of children to their country of habitual residence. If the foreign country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, we pursue alternative remedies, including remedies that apply to foreign countries under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) to obtain a court order for the return of the child.
Maxim Smith also represents U.S.-based parents who do not wish to return their children to their country of habitual residence after coming to the United States. In these cases, we assist clients in determining whether they can assert the exceptions to the Hague Convention so their child may remain in the United States.