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International Family Law Solicitors
International family law is a legal area dedicated to issues that may arise for international families, including finances, child residency and contact, and international divorce. This legal area can be highly complex, and so if you need to resolve international family matters, it is important to seek advice of a specialist lawyer.
Our specialist international family law solicitors at Watkins can offer support across all related legal areas, such as:
For specialist advice and support with international family law, please get in touch with our international family law solicitors today.
We support clients from our offices in Bristol (Southville and Fishponds), Bath and Hereford, as well as serving clients across the rest of the UK. Give us a call or email us at info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk.
Our solicitors will communicate in a way that suits your needs and preferences, whether that’s in person, by phone, video conferencing or email.
We appreciate that family legal issues can be extremely emotional and stressful. We also know that when clients approach us, they are likely confused about their legal position and options. Drawing upon our extensive knowledge and skill, we can ensure that your legal matters are handled as sensitively and constructively as possible.
When you work with us, you’ll benefit from the expertise of a highly experienced team. We always ensure that we get a detailed understanding of our client’s needs, meaning we can tailor our support to you personally.
Thanks to our excellent team, we have a wonderful reputation in the family legal sector. Our family solicitors are members of Resolution, and some of our team are on the Law Society’s Specialist Panel.
Beyond our day-to-day legal work, we are dedicated to engaging in our local community, getting involved in charity projects around Bristol, and the nearby areas. To find out more about our legal team, get in touch with our international family lawyers in the UK.
If you are living abroad, or your spouse is, it may still be possible to get divorced in the UK, depending on the situation. For example, you will be eligible to get divorced in the UK if you and your partner count as ‘habitually resident’ in the UK.
It will also be a possibility if you or your partner previously lived in England or Wales, and one spouse is currently still living there. If either of you are domiciled in the UK, and there is not another EU country with the jurisdiction to handle the divorce, then you will also have the option of a UK divorce.
Alternatively, if your preference is to get divorced abroad instead of in the UK, you may have the option, depending on your situation and eligibility.
Where one or both partners are living overseas, the divorcing couple will need to think carefully about the country that their divorce proceedings will take place in. Divorce proceedings and the law can vary greatly between countries, and so to protect yourself, specialist legal advice is essential.
If you are approaching an international divorce settlement, our expert team can assist you to protect your wealth and assets. We will work with you to gauge an in-depth understanding of your needs and preferences, helping you to secure what you believe to be a fair settlement in your current circumstances.
We can offer specialist support in difficult cases, for example, where one partner suspects that the other may have hidden international assets.
Depending on where you get divorced, the rules surrounding divorce financial settlements can vary, and so both parties are advised to receive legal support from an international divorce solicitor at the earliest opportunity.
To ensure your rights are protected, and that you make the right choice regarding which country you divorce in, Watkins can provide expert recommendations.
Where an international couple get divorced, there may be specific issues regarding any children involved. For example, child custody can often cause conflict, particularly where the parties do not live the in same country, or where a parent plans to move back to their home country.
We have helped families to make international child arrangements in a wide variety of complex situations, and can provide assistance in the following ways:
“Watkins Solicitors helped me through two extremely difficult periods in my life. Both cases were successful. I will continue to recommend Watkins Solicitors to my family, friends, and work colleagues. I can't thank them enough, for what they have done. It has been life changing!”
“Our experience of Watkins solicitors was simply excellent. The advice we were given prior to the hearing was superb, and we were able to action all of their suggestions in good time. Emma was diligent in her research, and would always reply to our questions whilst putting us at ease. Come the day of the hearing, Beverley was exactly the right person to have representing us. She was strong, confident, and absolutely focussed on what was important.”
“The whole team at Watkins solicitors were professional, helpful, and friendly. They responded to any queries in a timely manner. They were approachable and nothing was too much trouble. I am happy to highly recommend them.”
At Watkins Solicitors, we understand that clients need a price break down of their legal costs as early as possible. Our legal fees will depend on the type of legal support needed, and the specific case.
In some cases, we are able to offer fixed fees. Where matters are more complicated, and require various stages and levels of support, we are likely to offer clients our competitive hourly rate.
After gauging an understanding of your situation, we will give an accurate estimate. To talk to one of our experts today, get in touch with Watkins Solicitors.
If you are living in a country, and you decide to make a divorce application in a different country to where you are currently living, this counts as an international divorce. Alternatively, it may be that a couple who are getting divorced are not currently living in the same country, or, where one or both partners currently lives abroad.
How long an international divorce takes will depend on the circumstances. An average time frame is between 4 and 6 months, though the process is likely to take longer if there are ongoing issues and complications.
Working with an expert solicitor from the very beginning will greatly improve your chances of experiencing a fast divorce process, with minimal setbacks.
Yes, if you are living abroad, you will still be able to get divorced in the UK, providing that certain eligibility requirements are met.
The jurisdictional requirements to apply for a divorce in the UK include:
Parental child abduction means that a parent takes their child out of the country without first having the permission of the other parent who has parental responsibility, or if appropriate, the permission of the Court.
This situation may occur where a couple has split up and one parent wishes to move away, or return to their home country, and wants to take the children with them.
Child abduction is considered a criminal offence. You should not take your child out of the country without permission of their other parent, or anyone else with parental responsibility, unless you explicitly have the legal right to do so.
Our experts can offer in-depth advice on these matters, and any other children law matter arising from international divorce.
For specialist advice and support with international family law, please get in touch with our international family law solicitors today.
We support clients from our offices in Bristol (Southville and Fishponds), Bath and Hereford, as well as serving clients across the rest of the UK. Give us a call or email us at info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk.
Our solicitors will communicate in a way that suits your needs and preferences, whether that’s in person, by phone, video conferencing or email.
