International Family Disputes

Children, Alimony, Property Division

Experience in Complex Family Law Cases

I advise and represent clients in family disputes involving more than one jurisdiction, including cases where family members have different nationalities, live abroad, or where a child is located in another country and parallel proceedings may be taking place before courts in different jurisdictions.

In such cases, it is particularly important to determine which country’s courts have jurisdiction, develop a coordinated cross-border strategy, and assess how court proceedings or procedural decisions in one country may affect the client’s position in another.

Selected Cases

Landmark Child Custody Jurisdiction Case Involving a Foreign Parent
Represented a foreign parent in proceedings concerning whether a child-related dispute could be heard by the Russian courts. The lower courts refused to accept the claim. The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation overturned those decisions and confirmed that the dispute could be examined in Russia. The case was subsequently included in a review of judicial practice issued by the Supreme Court.

L.A. and Others v. Russia — Domestic Violence Case before the European Court of Human Rights
Represented an applicant in a strategic domestic violence case concerning the State’s obligation to protect a woman’s life and physical integrity where the authorities were aware of the risk of repeated violence. The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of the Convention.

Main areas of work

Child-related disputes with an international element

Child-related disputes become especially complex when parents live in different countries or one of the parents is planning to relocate.

In such cases, it is important to consider not only the question of which parent the child will live with, but also contact arrangements, the possibility of travelling abroad, the other parent’s participation in the child’s upbringing, enforcement of court judgments, and possible proceedings in another country.

This section addresses issues such as determining the child’s place of residence, contact arrangements, the child’s travel abroad, the use of foreign court judgments, and protection of the child’s interests in cross-border situations.

Go to section: Child-related disputes

Alimony with an international element

Alimony disputes with an international element require a separate assessment if one of the parents lives abroad, receives income in another country, conceals real income, or if the alimony judgment will need to be enforced outside Russia.

In such cases, it is important to determine in advance whether it is possible to apply to a Russian court, what evidence of income will be needed, how to justify the amount of alimony, and how realistic enforcement of the court judgment will be.

This section addresses issues such as recovery of alimony, proof of income abroad, additional expenses for the child, and enforcement of alimony judgments in international situations.

Go to section: Alimony

Division of marital property

Division of marital property becomes more complex when assets are located in different countries or are held through foreign companies, bank accounts, real estate, business shares, or other structures.

In such cases, it is important to determine which claims can be brought in Russia, which issues may fall within the jurisdiction of a foreign court, and how one court judgment may affect another.

This section addresses property division under Russian law, division of foreign assets, treatment of real estate abroad, business interests, bank accounts and other assets, as well as the risks of parallel proceedings in different countries.

Go to section: Division of marital property

Why strategy matters in international family cases

In an international family dispute, it is not enough simply to prepare a court application.

Before starting the case, it is important to understand:

where it is better to begin proceedings;
which judgment will be enforceable in practice;
how Russian proceedings may affect the situation abroad;
whether the other party may start proceedings in another country;
which documents should be prepared in advance;
which time limits must not be missed;
whether a foreign court judgment needs to be taken into account;
whether cooperation with a lawyer in another jurisdiction will be necessary.

Mistakes at the first stage may affect the entire case: jurisdiction, evidence, time limits, enforcement of the judgment, and the possibility of protecting one’s interests in another country.

International Family Disputes: FAQ

Consultation on a family matter with an international element

During a consultation on a family matter with an international element, it is important not only to answer one specific question, but also to see the full legal picture.

Usually, the analysis includes:

which countries are connected with the case;
where the spouses, parents, child, property, or inheritance are located;
whether there are already court judgments or ongoing proceedings;
which documents are available;
which time limits matter;
which steps should be taken first;
which risks may arise in Russia and abroad.

After that, it is possible to determine the next steps: a one-time consultation, preparation of documents, representation in Russian proceedings, cooperation with a foreign lawyer, or development of a strategy for several jurisdictions.

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