International Family Law
With rapid changes in communication and transportation technology, families often reach across foreign borders. Today, it is not uncommon for married couples to come from two different countries, and perhaps have children in a third. For today's family law attorney, family law often means international family law. Although we are based in and around Seattle, family law practice increasingly involves knowledge of the law in other countries and jurisdictions in order to effectively advise those clients who may have international divorce or other international issues in their case. An international divorce lawyer competent in this area can advise you of the strengths and weaknesses of filing your divorce, or other family law action, in Washington, another U.S. state, or in a foreign country.

Each McKinley Irvin Seattle international family law attorney, Bellevue international family law attorney and Washington State international family law attorney has effectively represented clients in cases involving special international issues. From enforcing foreign child support orders and divorce decrees, to litigating issues regarding international treaties,  McKinley Irvin family law attorneys are up to date in the cutting edge area of international family law.

One of the biggest concerns for the international family law attorney in recent years has been the removal of children from the country where they have lived for some time to another country during a custody dispute. The United States and many other foreign countries have entered into the Hague Convention on Child Abduction, an international treaty that provides for cooperation between nations for the safe return of children to their home country when removed during a custody dispute. McKinley Irvin international divorce lawyers have litigated cases involving this important treaty and are familiar with the Hague Convention, a unique area of family law. McKinley Irvin international divorce lawyer David Starks handles all of the Hague Convention cases in our office. An especially effective attorney, international family law is David's chosen practice focus.

For the average family, divorce means an application of state law. However, if you are thinking about divorce and are concerned that there may an international issue because one or more parties is a foreign national, or your family has lived in a foreign country for a significant amount of time, an McKinley Irvin Seattle divorce attorney, international family law specialist, has the experience and expertise to advise you of your options.

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