Early advice is essential in all international expat divorce cases.

The world is now a smaller place and London has the reputation of being the divorce capital of the world. We have many overseas clients either expats living abroad or their partners/spouses who reside in the UK. We even deal with divorces where both parties reside in different countries but proceedings are issued in the UK as the parties are domiciled but not resident here.

You are entitled to issue divorce proceedings in England and Wales if:

• You are originally from England or Wales currently living in another part of the world but retain sufficient ties with England or Wales.
• You have lived outside England or Wales and have returned to live here.
• You are not originally from England and Wales but have made your home here.

• Your spouse lives in England and Wales but you do not.
• Your spouse lives outside the UK and you are concerned about tracing them.

We provide advice in respect of your eligibility to issue in England and Wales and whether or not this is in your best interest.

Our full range of services include:

• Advising as to the appropriate forum for the divorce proceedings.
• Dealing with the divorce on your behalf.
• Financial claims within multiple jurisdictions.
• Financial matters to include advising in high net worth cases and dealing with complex financial assets including offshore trust funds and the freezing of assets to prevent their transfer abroad.

• Children matters including international child abduction, the removal of children abroad either for a holiday, temporarily or permanently.
• Prenuptial Agreements.
• Co-habitation related property disputes.
• Child support where one parent or the child lives abroad and related enforcement issues.
• Dealing with financial aspects of the divorce such as pensions following a foreign divorce.

Our fee for dealing with an expat divorce starts at £500.00 plus court fees, process servers’ fees and translations services. For a more detailed quote please contact the office. We offer transparent pricing at provincial not London rates and payment plans.

International Family Law is a highly specialised area of law and it is in your best interest to take advice from an expert in this field. It may be financially advantageous to divorce here and therefore advice should be taken in a timely way before issuing divorce proceedings. There may also be tax reasons which need to be taken into account before issuing here.

Joanne Houston is an accredited Resolution specialist in International Family Law and has over 20 years of experience as a divorce lawyer. We cannot advise in respect of the legal position in foreign jurisdiction but can provide you with overseas contacts.

We aim to offer a flexible and approachable service and can communication with you at times to suit you wherever you may be living.