Navigating Complex Cross-Border
Legal Challenges
International divorce raises high-stakes questions around jurisdiction, custody,
property division, and immigration status.
Whether you're a U.S.-based entrepreneur with real estate abroad, a dual citizen navigating custody across borders, or a professional facing a foreign-initiated divorce, the New York divorce attorneys at Bikel Rosenthal & Schanfield can help guide you through the process.
Determining Jurisdiction: Where Should You File?
Jurisdiction forms the foundation of any international divorce, determining which court has authority and which laws apply.
You may face jurisdictional questions if:
- You or your spouse resides outside the United States
- Your marriage took place abroad
- You share property, businesses, or other assets in multiple countries
Understanding where to file and the potential consequences of filing in the wrong jurisdiction is essential. We help clients assess competing jurisdictions to protect their interests and ensure the proceedings align with their goals
Children, Citizenship, and Custody
International custody disputes often involve complex questions regarding relocation, dual citizenship, and legal protections under treaties such as the Hague Convention. For parents, particularly those who are immigrants or work internationally, understanding their rights in both jurisdictions is crucial.
- Structuring parenting plans that comply with domestic and foreign laws
- Strategies for custody when children hold passports from multiple countries
- Preventing or responding to international child abduction
- Obtaining or contesting international relocation requests
At Bikel Rosenthal & Schanfield, our team of international divorce lawyers helps guide families with children attending international schools or splitting time between countries through the legal intricacies of cross-border custody.
Protecting Immigration
Status During Divorce
An international divorce can jeopardize a spouse's residency or visa status. For clients on dependent visas or navigating immigration processes, careful coordination between family law and immigration law is critical.
We work with immigrants to:
- Address issues related to sponsorship and conditional residency
- Avoid unintended immigration consequences of spousal disputes
- Preserve legal status during divorce
Our Manhattan-based international divorce attorneys are ready to help you make informed decisions, safeguard your children, and secure your financial future.
Division of Cross-Border Assets
Dividing international assets requires skill in both valuation and enforcement. Whether you and your spouse share investment property overseas, hold accounts in multiple currencies, or run a multinational business, we offer strategic advice on:
- Applying prenuptial or postnuptial agreements across jurisdictions
- Enforcing U.S. court orders abroad and foreign orders in the U.S.
- Resolving property disputes involving differing legal systems
Our clients include investors, business owners, and real estate developers managing cross-border asset portfolios. We coordinate with foreign counsel where needed to ensure seamless protection of your interests.
Cross-Border Divorce
Laws and Legal Systems
A patchwork of local laws and regulations governs international divorce. While treaties like the Hague Convention
address issues such as child abduction and child support enforcement, the legal outcomes can vary widely.
Not all countries fully apply these conventions, and legal procedures differ significantly between "fault" and "no-fault" jurisdictions.
Our international divorce attorneys help clients navigate:
- Strategic selection of legal venue
- Parallel proceedings in multiple countries
- Foreign service of process requirements
- Evidentiary standards in international courts
Whether you're responding to a filing in a country that mandates fault-based divorce or navigating discovery
rules in a civil-law jurisdiction, we provide clarity and coordination to ensure a seamless process.
Skilled Counsel for a Complex Process
International divorce demands more than just legal knowledge. It requires cross-cultural insight, global legal coordination, and foresight. Attorneys Karen B. Rosenthal, Dror Bikel, and the international divorce team at Bikel Rosenthal & Schanfield bring decades of experience representing professionals, expatriates, high-net-worth individuals, and families with global ties.