Don’t get stuck overseas
Everyone planning to move abroad with kids MUST watch this video before making the move.
Basically, as soon as you arrive in a new country to live, your children’s ‘habitual residence’ shifts to your new country. Then, if you end up separating with your partner, or if one of you wants to stay and the other wants to go home… you might never be allowed to return home with your children.
Further reading:
Domestic abuse and coercive control in expat relationships
Nobody tells you this about moving overseas with your kids
Visit GlobalARRK for more information and advice.
For further information see ‘The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Parental Child Abduction 1980’
Expatability Chat Podcast
If you’d prefer to listen to me talk about this topic, here is my podcast interview with Roz Osborne, CEO and Founder of GlobalARRK
The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of international Child Abduction is an effective tool for returning children to their country of habitual residence and in general this is a very good thing because it prevents parents using their children to gain the upper hand either financially or emotionally. The Convention does however recognize that in some cases this is not appropriate. If you find yourself facing an application under the Convention you should get advice about the exceptions and if you are required to return with the children, you should ensure that a safe and well organized return is negotiated as part of any agreement to return.