We have been working with many specialist family law attorneys all around the US for over 25 years. We work closely with US attorneys in partnership for our mutual client’s benefit. We only advise on UK law, specifically the law relating to England and Wales, leaving you to advise upon the relevant law in your own jurisdiction. This provides our clients with the full spectrum of advice they require to make the decision as to where any proceedings should be issued. If that is in your jurisdiction you would take the lead with us being able to offer help and support on any issue of UK law and if proceedings are in the UK we would take the lead with your help and support on regarding your laws.
Which jurisdiction?
Our client’s may be living in either or both countries, have property or business interests in either. Those connections can potentially enable either party to secure jurisdiction in one or either country.
If more than one jurisdiction could be available the timing of securing that jurisdiction could be important and urgent advice to secure the most appropriate jurisdiction is very important. We can offer that advice regarding jurisdiction in England or Wales.
This is the criteria used to secure jurisdiction in England or Wales. If you think your client or their spouse might be able to use any of these then they should seek advice from us as to what any outcome maybe in England or Wales.
- both parties to the marriage are habitually resident in England and Wales
- both parties to the marriage were last habitually resident in England and Wales and one of them continues to reside there
- the respondent is habitually resident in England and Wales
- the applicant is habitually resident in England and Wales and has resided there for at least one year immediately before the application was made
- the applicant is domiciled and habitually resident in England and Wales and has resided there for at least six months immediately before the application was made
- both parties to the marriage are domiciled in England and Wales; or
- either of the parties to the marriage is domiciled in England and Wales
Mediation and Collaborative Law
Whilst the above is particularly important in cases where litigation is likely to be invoked we are also very committed to providing clients with the options of mediation and collaborative law. Helen and Caroline are both mediators and Helen is also a collaborative lawyer. Helen is a member of the IACP International Academy of Collaborative Practitioners, and regularly attends the US IACP conferences. We have become very adept at providing mediation and collaborative services using video links such as Zoom/Teams so that the location of the parties is no longer a hindrance to using these services internationally.
Pre-nuptial agreements
We often advise on US pre nuptial agreements from the perspective of enforcement in the UK in the event the couple have or may in the future have a connection with the UK. Again we often require the same advice on UK pre nups in which the parties have a US connection.
Other advice and assistance
With our connections to UK property valuers, accountants and pension experts we are able to act as an intermediary to help you gain advice and assistance on various discrete issues:
- Obtaining valuations of UK properties.
- Obtaining tax advice regarding UK tax issues on capital, property, income or inheritance.
- Advise on UK pension funds and the sharing or those and implementation of any US orders for pension sharing of UK funds.
