Hague Convention California Hague Convention Attorney

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a treaty designed to expedite the return of abducted children to their home countries. Once a child is returned, an appropriate court in that country will issue or affirm a child custody order according to the laws of that nation.

The Law Offices of David M. Lederman is one of a select number of law firms in California that practice in this area of law.

Our firm represents parents whose children have been unlawfully removed to Hague Convention nations and to those nations that are not parties to the treaty. We also represent parents with lawful custody who wish to prevent the return of a child to another Hague Convention or non-signatory country.

Call 925-522-8889 or send us an email to arrange for a consultation.

The Hague Convention Process

The Law Offices of David M. Lederman has significant experience in international child custody and support cases.

If your child has been abducted to another country that is a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, we can take action to return your child to California.

The Law Offices of David M. Lederman will file a request with the U.S. State Department, which will then send a formal request to the foreign ministry of the other nation. As with any diplomatic matter, delays can drag out this process. Our firm will follow up and work diligently to obtain the return of your child.

Our firm has relationships with family law attorneys in many countries. If the request is challenged by the other parent, we can work with a foreign law firm to obtain the return of your child to California.

Once that has happened, we can take action in the appropriate California court to obtain or affirm your child custody rights.

Cases Involving Non-Signatory Nations

If your child has been taken to a country that is not party to the Hague Convention, we can still represent you with the goal of returning your child to his or her home. However, the process is typically more difficult, complicated and lengthy.

Contact a Hague Convention Lawyer

For a consultation with the Law Offices of David M. Lederman, call 925-522-8889 or send us an email.