International Family Law.
Family Law disputes increasingly involve international elements. It is not uncommon for parties to a marriage or a de facto relationship to live in different countries, hold assets across multiple jurisdictions, or maintain business interests overseas.
These matters can be significantly more complex and require careful consideration of jurisdiction (i.e. whether Australia or the relevant foreign territory is the most appropriate “forum” for the Financial Settlement to be finalised in), enforcement, and international Family Law strategy.
At Sayer Jones, we regularly advise clients in Family Law matters involving international issues. Our Will Jones is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. Determining the correct jurisdiction for proceedings is often one of the most important and strategic questions at the outset of a international Family Law matter.
Our lawyers have extensive experience navigating these issues and developing clear strategies for clients facing international Family Law disputes. Sayer Jones can assist with:
Jurisdictional advice where parties live in different countries or have connections to multiple jurisdictions;
Forum disputes and anti-suit injunction applications, where competing Family Law proceedings have been commenced in Australia and overseas;
International Financial Settlements, including matters involving overseas real estate, companies, trusts, investments and commercial interests;
Asset tracing and identification where assets are located in foreign jurisdictions or held through international corporate structures;
Recognition and enforcement of Australian Family Law Orders overseas, including assisting with the registration of Australian Court Orders in foreign jurisdictions;
Recognition of foreign Family Law Orders in Australia, including Financial Settlements and financial agreements made overseas;
Strategic advice in matters involving international business interests and complex, multinational commercial structures;
As an active participant of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and in the Family Law Section of LAWASIA, Sayer Jones frequently advises in matters involving parties, assets, and commercial interests connected to Southeast Asia and other international jurisdictions. Our involvement in this network enables us to work collaboratively with trusted legal professionals across the region where local advice is required.
International Family Law matters require a strategic, technically correct, commercially informed and globally connected approach. With significant experience handling international Family Law disputes, Sayer Jones is well positioned to assist clients navigating the complexities of International Family law and International divorce proceedings.