I advise on courts, applicable law and the cross-border recognition of agreements and decisions.
Three questions in every international case
Which court can hear the case, in France and abroad? Which law will it apply? Will the decision or agreement be recognized where the children live and where the assets are? I answer these three questions before any strategy: they often decide the outcome of the case, and what can be negotiated.
- International divorceYou live between countries, you and your spouse have different nationalities, or proceedings have started abroad. I help you assess your options, prepare negotiations and, where necessary, conduct proceedings.
The choice of court, and the date on which it is seised, can change the applicable law, the division of assets and the amount of support. I compare the options in each country, prepare the negotiation and, where necessary, conduct the proceedings in France, working with a local lawyer abroad. To start: Do French courts always have jurisdiction? · Is French law always applicable? · Which Court? Which Law? · Divorce, country by country
- International child abductionYour child has been taken or kept abroad, or you are concerned about an imminent departure. Call me directly to explain your situation. I help identify the countries involved and assess the steps appropriate to your case.
Every day counts: once a year has passed since the removal, the child’s return may be refused if the child has settled in the new environment (Hague Convention of October 25, 1980, Art. 12). I help you contact the Central Authority, apply for the child’s return or prevent a departure. To start: What should I do in the event of international child abduction? · How can I prevent my child from leaving the country? · Which Path? Which Step?
- International child arrangementsSeparation, expatriation or a proposed move: when a child’s life involves several countries, residence and relationships with each parent need to be considered together. I help you address these questions and assess the effect of an agreement or decision abroad.
Residence, contact, travel and travel costs need to be planned together. I help you build lasting arrangements, set them out in a court-approved agreement (convention homologuée) or a decision, and check that they will be recognized in the other country. To start: Can I move abroad with my child? · How can contact be organized across two countries? · Which Support? How Much?
- International family wealth planningBefore marriage, when moving abroad or during a separation, the international aspects of your assets deserve careful assessment. I work with you, and with your notary where needed, on the matrimonial regime, the available choices and their consequences.
For couples who married without a marriage contract between 1992 and 2019, the law governing their matrimonial property regime (régime matrimonial) may have changed with their successive residences. I check which law applies, prepare the marriage contract, choice of law or will with your notary, and assess the financial consequences of a separation. To start: Should we make a prenuptial agreement before moving abroad? · Can I choose the law governing my succession? · Which Division? Which Rights?
- International family mediationTwo countries, sometimes two languages and different expectations: mediation provides a space for dialogue to seek your own agreement. In this role I am a neutral, impartial third party; I do not represent one participant against the other.
You build the agreement together, then make it enforceable in each country concerned. I advise neither participant, and each of you keeps your own lawyer; the information meeting is free of charge. To start: What is mediation? · How can a family agreement be made enforceable in France and abroad?
Before your appointment
The four online tools and the “Prepare your appointment” questionnaire help you come with the right questions. Consultations are fixed-price, from €150 excl. VAT for an express consultation to €900 excl. VAT for a wealth review; except for the express consultation, the fee is deducted from the retainer if you then instruct me. In any one case, I act either as your lawyer or as the mediator for both parties, never both. The tools · Fees · How it works