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Child custody is a complicated issue. Add an international component to child custody cases and the complexity increases for Michigan parents. Some parents today live very global lifestyles, and may have a relationship with a person in another country, with whom they have a child.
Recently, a child custody case was dismissed after nearly ten years of court proceedings. The case involved a man from Britain and a woman from the United States with a child born in the U.S. They couple lived in Chile for a period of time when they separated. The couple was ordered to keep the child in Chile unless they received consent from both parents.
The mother took the child to the United States where a court battle has ensued ever since. The father wanted custody of the child, but eventually the child turned 16 and the case was dismissed. The Hague Convention established a treaty which countries are supposed to follow regarding international child custody disputes, however, once a child turns 16 years old, the rules no longer apply.
Although the case did make it to the Supreme Court, the justices of the Court ruled only that the father had the right to continue his appeal for custody. The case was then referred back to a lower court, where the boy eventually told a judge he didn’t want to live with his father.
Child custody cases can get complicated for Michigan parents when an international component is added. Parents facing complex custody battles may want to seek out the help of an experienced family law attorney. They can help you understand they court proceedings and provided advice on what steps to take.
Source: CNN, “Child at center of high court fight over custody gets closure,” Bill Mears, Feb. 14, 2012