BLOG

Don't Rely on the Hague Convention for Overseas Visits

Posted by Jeremy Morley | Jul 28, 2017 | 0 Comments

When considering whether to be concerned that the other parent plans to take a child on an overseas visit - which is normally a great benefit to a child and should generally be encouraged - it can be a huge mistake to rely merely on the foreign country's accession to The Hague Abduction Convention. 

The Convention does not operate automatically and a country's accession to the treaty does not guarantee the prompt - or even eventual- return of an abducted child. For example, one must consider the potential defenses (exceptions really) that an abducting parent might raise in a case brought under the Convention in the foreign country. Thus, if a child is 10 years old or older, one should be alert to the possibility that the child, perhaps under family pressure, will object to being sent back to the habitual residence. The Convention expressly authorizes courts to refuse to return abducted children if they are of sufficient age and maturity and independently object to being returned.

International child abduction is child abuse and prevention is far better than attempting to recover an abducted child after the fact. 

About the Author

Jeremy Morley

Jeremy D. Morley was admitted to the New York Bar in 1975 and concentrates on international family law. His firm works with clients around the world from its New York office, with a global network of local counsel. Mr. Morley is the author of "International Family Law Practice,...

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Providing wise and experienced legal counsel to international families for many years

Aenean lacinia bibendum nulla sed consectetur. Donec sed odio dui. Maecenas sed diam eget risus varius blandit sit amet non magna. Nulla vitae elit libero, a pharetra augue. Curabitur blandit tempus porttitor. Morbi leo risus, porta ac consectetur ac, vestibulum at eros. Cras justo odio, dapibus ac facilisis in, egestas.

Menu