International Divorce Lawyers
International divorce can raise important questions about where proceedings should take place, how assets will be divided and what happens when one or both parties have connections to more than one country. Whether you are living abroad, your spouse has moved overseas or your assets are held across different jurisdictions, early advice can make a significant difference to the strategy and outcome of your case.
At JMW, our international divorce solicitors provide clear, strategic advice for clients dealing with family law matters involving an international element. We advise on divorce proceedings in England and Wales, jurisdiction disputes, overseas assets, financial settlements, foreign divorce orders and child arrangements where children live or may be taken abroad.
International divorce law varies between different countries, so the decisions made at the outset can shape the entire divorce process. We help you understand your position, protect your financial interests and coordinate advice across jurisdictions where specialist input is needed.
If your divorce involves more than one country, speak to our specialist international divorce solicitors in confidence. Call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a call at a time that suits you.
On This Page
- What Our Clients Say
- How JMW Can Help
- Meet Our Team
- Case Studies
- What Is International Divorce?
- How Does Jurisdiction Apply in International Divorce?
- Starting or Defending Divorce Proceedings in England and Wales
- International Divorce and Financial Settlements
- Overseas Assets, Businesses and Trusts
- Enforcement of Foreign Divorce and Financial Orders
- International Divorce and Children
- FAQs About International Divorce
- Talk to Us
How JMW Can Help
Our family law team provides practical, strategic advice on international divorce issues, helping you understand your options and protect your position at every stage.
We advise on:
- Establishing whether divorce proceedings can take place in England and Wales
- Deciding whether England and Wales is the right jurisdiction for your divorce
- Responding where your ex partner has started, or may start, divorce proceedings in another country
- Challenging jurisdiction where appropriate
- Financial settlement issues involving overseas assets, businesses, pensions, investments and trusts
- Disclosure and valuation of assets held in different countries
- Financial provision after a foreign divorce
- Enforcement of foreign divorce and financial orders
- Child arrangements involving children abroad, international relocation or concerns about child abduction
- Coordinating advice with divorce lawyers and other professional advisers in different jurisdictions
We understand that family issues bring with them emotion and uncertainty. We provide strategic, clear advice focused on protecting your interests and achieving the best outcome for you and your family.
JMW has more than 40 specialist family lawyers based in our offices in Manchester, Liverpool and London. We work with clients nationally and internationally, and are here to help wherever you are based.
Our family law team is recognised by leading legal directories, including the Legal 500, Chambers & Partners and Spear’s 500, which commend our expertise in dealing with high net worth divorces, cross-border disputes and complex cases involving business assets, pensions and property.
This coordinated approach is particularly important in international divorce cases involving high-value assets, business interests, offshore structures or family law matters spanning multiple countries. We help you take control of the process, reduce uncertainty and work towards the best outcome for your circumstances.
Meet the Team
Our family law team advises clients across England and Wales and internationally on complex divorce cases involving jurisdiction, overseas assets, financial settlements, child arrangements and cross-border enforcement.
Case Studies
What Is International Divorce?
International divorce is where a divorce has a connection to more than one country. This does not only apply where both spouses live overseas. It can arise in many different situations, including where:
- One spouse is living abroad
- Both spouses live in different countries
- You were married overseas
- One or both parties have dual nationality
- You or your spouse own property, businesses, investments or other assets in different countries
- Your children live abroad or spend time in more than one country
- One parent wants to relocate overseas with the children
- Divorce proceedings have already started in another country
- A foreign divorce has taken place, but financial matters still need to be resolved
In these situations, the divorce process can involve questions about which country should deal with the case, how any financial settlement should be approached, and whether orders made in one country will be recognised or enforced in another.
Divorce law varies between different countries, which means the decisions made at the outset can have a significant impact on the outcome. The approach to financial provision, spousal maintenance, pensions, business assets, trusts and child arrangements may differ depending on where the case is heard.
Taking advice from specialist international divorce lawyers at an early stage allows you to understand your options, protect your position and make informed decisions about the best way forward.
How Does Jurisdiction Apply in International Divorce?
Jurisdiction determines which country’s legal system has the authority to deal with your divorce. In international divorce cases, this is often one of the first issues to consider, because the country where proceedings take place can affect the divorce process, the financial settlement and how any final order is enforced.
Where one or both parties have international links, it may be possible for divorce proceedings to take place in more than one country. This can happen where there are connections through nationality, habitual residence, periods of time living abroad, assets in other countries or children based overseas.
The most appropriate jurisdiction will depend on the facts of the case, such as::=
- Where you and your spouse live
- Where you are habitually resident
- Where your assets are held
- Whether there are businesses, trusts or property in different countries
- Where any children live
- Whether witnesses, experts or documents are based overseas
- Whether any financial order can be enforced in the relevant country
- The likely cost, timing and practical steps involved in each jurisdiction
- How the financial outcomes may differ depending on where the case is heard
- Whether translation or foreign legal advice will be needed
Because divorce law varies between different countries, the choice of jurisdiction can have a significant impact. Some countries take a different approach to financial provision, spousal maintenance, pensions, business assets and property division. A decision made at the outset can therefore shape the overall strategy and outcome of the case.
In some circumstances, urgent action may be required. If more than one country can deal with the divorce, it may be important to start proceedings quickly in England and Wales before proceedings are issued elsewhere. This helps to protect your position and reduce the risk of delay, additional cost or a less suitable forum being adopted.
Our international divorce lawyers advise on jurisdiction from the earliest stage. We help you understand whether you are able to issue divorce proceedings in England and Wales, whether it is the right forum for your case, and what steps should be taken to protect your interests.
Starting or Defending Divorce Proceedings in England and Wales
If your divorce has an international element, the first step is to establish whether proceedings can take place in England and Wales. This may be possible even if you are living abroad, provided there is a sufficient legal connection.
This issue often needs to be considered quickly. Where divorce proceedings could take place in more than one country, the timing and location of the application can affect the financial settlement, child arrangements and how any final order is enforced.
Our divorce solicitors can help you understand:
- Whether you can start divorce proceedings in England and Wales
- Whether England and Wales is the best jurisdiction for your case
- What to do if your spouse has already issued proceedings overseas
- Whether jurisdiction should be accepted or challenged
- How to deal with serving divorce papers abroad
- Whether advice is needed from divorce lawyers in another country
We provide clear advice on the legal position in England and Wales and coordinate with overseas lawyers where needed, ensuring your case is managed with a strategy that reflects the full international picture.
International Divorce and Financial Settlements
Financial settlements can be one of the most important issues in an international divorce. Different countries approach divorce finances in different ways, so the jurisdiction in which financial matters are dealt with can have a significant impact on the outcome.
In England and Wales, the divorce itself is separate from the financial settlement. This means the marriage can legally end before financial matters have been resolved. In other countries, financial issues may be dealt with differently, or may not be fully addressed as part of the divorce process.
A financial settlement in an international divorce may involve:
- Property in England and Wales or overseas
- Bank accounts, savings and investments held in different countries
- Business interests or shareholdings
- Pensions held in England and Wales or abroad
- Trust interests or offshore structures
- Spousal maintenance or child maintenance
- Tax considerations in more than one jurisdiction
- Enforcement of any financial order once it has been made
Where a divorce has taken place abroad and no suitable financial settlement has been reached, it may be possible in some circumstances to ask the courts in England and Wales to consider the financial issues arising from the separation. This is known as a Part III application, because it is made under Part III of the Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984. There are strict criteria to meet before this type of application can be made, and the range of orders available may be more limited than in domestic proceedings.
We advise on financial settlement issues in international divorce cases, including where assets are based overseas or financial provision may need to be pursued after a foreign divorce. Our role is to help you understand the options available, assess the financial implications of each route and build a strategy that protects your position.
Overseas Assets, Businesses and Trusts
Overseas assets are not automatically excluded from a financial settlement. In an international divorce, the court will usually need a clear picture of the full financial position, including assets held in England and Wales and in other countries.
This may include:
- Overseas property
- International bank accounts, savings and investments
- Business interests or shareholdings in other jurisdictions
- Pensions held abroad
- Trust interests, including offshore trusts
- Assets held through companies, family structures or nominees
These assets may need to be disclosed, valued and considered as part of the financial settlement. In some cases, this requires input from overseas lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, valuers or trust specialists.
The treatment of international assets in divorce can vary depending on where they are located and how they are owned. There may also be practical issues around disclosure, tax, valuation and enforcement. For example, a financial order made in England and Wales may need to be recognised or enforced in another country before it can take effect against an overseas asset.
We provide international divorce advice on cases involving complex financial arrangements, including businesses, property portfolios, pensions, investments and trusts. Where advice is needed in other jurisdictions, we coordinate with overseas professionals to ensure the financial strategy is clear, practical and aligned across countries.
Enforcement of Foreign Divorce and Financial Orders
A financial order may need to be enforced in a different country from the one where it was made. This can arise where one person lives abroad or assets are held overseas.
Enforcement may be needed where:
- A financial order made in England and Wales needs to be enforced overseas
- A foreign financial order needs to be enforced in England and Wales
- Maintenance, lump sum payments or property transfers have not been made
- Assets are held in another jurisdiction
- A court order needs to be recognised before it can take practical effect
The available enforcement options will depend on the country involved, the type of order, where the assets are located and whether reciprocal enforcement arrangements apply. In some cases, advice will be needed from divorce lawyers in the relevant country.
We advise on the enforcement of financial orders involving England and Wales and other jurisdictions. Our role is to help you understand the practical options, coordinate any overseas advice required and take clear steps to protect your position.
International Divorce and Children
International divorce can create additional considerations where children are involved. This may include child arrangements, international travel, schooling, relocation or concerns that a child may be taken abroad without agreement.
In many children cases, the country where the child is habitually resident will be central to deciding which court should deal with child arrangements. This means the court will look at where the child usually lives and where their day-to-day life is based.
International child arrangements issues may arise where:
- Your children live abroad
- You and your ex partner live in different countries
- One parent wants to relocate overseas with the children
- There is a dispute about international travel
- There are concerns about child abduction
- Existing child arrangements need to work across borders
Where there is a concern that a child may be taken abroad without consent, or not returned after overseas travel, it is important to seek legal advice quickly. Early action can help protect your child’s position and ensure the right steps are taken through the appropriate court.
We provide clear, child-focused advice on international family law matters, and prioritise welfare, stability and consistency. Where advice is needed in another country, we work with overseas lawyers to ensure your approach is coordinated and practical.
FAQs About International Divorce
- Which country should I apply for my divorce in?
The right country for your divorce will depend on your personal circumstances, including where you and your spouse live, where you are habitually resident, where your assets are located and where any children live.
In some international divorce cases, it may be possible to apply for divorce in more than one country. This can affect the financial settlement, the divorce process and how any final order is enforced. A specialist family lawyer can help you understand whether you can issue divorce proceedings in England and Wales and whether it is the right jurisdiction for your case.
- How long does an international divorce take?
The time an international divorce takes will depend on the issues involved. If the divorce proceeds in England and Wales and jurisdiction is not disputed, the divorce process may follow the usual timetable - find out more about how long divorces usually take.
However, international divorce can take longer where your spouse is living abroad, documents need to be served in another country, jurisdiction is challenged, overseas assets need to be disclosed or valued or child arrangements need to be resolved. Financial settlement issues can also take longer than the divorce itself, particularly where assets are held in multiple countries.
- Can I get divorced in England and Wales if I live abroad?
You may be able to get divorced in England and Wales if you are living abroad, provided you have a sufficient legal connection. This may depend on factors such as habitual residence, domicile, nationality and your wider connection to England or Wales.
It is important to seek legal advice before starting proceedings, as the fact that you can apply for divorce in England and Wales does not always mean it is the best jurisdiction for your case. The financial outcomes, practical steps and options for enforcement should all be considered before a decision is made.
- Can my spouse start divorce proceedings in another country?
Yes, your spouse may be able to start divorce proceedings in another country if they have a sufficient connection to that jurisdiction. This can happen where one or both parties are living abroad, have dual nationality, own assets overseas or have lived in different countries during the marriage.
If your spouse has already issued proceedings abroad, or you are concerned that they may do so, you should take advice quickly. The country where proceedings take place can affect the financial settlement, child arrangements and overall strategy.
- Is a foreign divorce valid in the UK?
A foreign divorce may be recognised in England and Wales if it meets the relevant legal requirements. This will usually depend on where and how the divorce took place, whether the correct legal process was followed, and if one or both parties had a sufficient connection to that country.
Recognition of a foreign divorce can be important if you want to remarry, deal with financial matters or take further legal steps in England and Wales. A family solicitor can advise on whether a foreign divorce is likely to be recognised and what action may be needed if there is uncertainty.
- Can you be divorced in one country and not another?
Yes, this can happen in some circumstances. A divorce may be legally recognised in one country but not automatically recognised in another, particularly where different countries have different rules about divorce, jurisdiction and recognition of foreign orders.
This can create practical issues around remarriage, financial provision, inheritance, pensions and child arrangements. If there is any uncertainty about whether a divorce is legally recognised in England and Wales or another jurisdiction, it is important to take specialist advice.
- What can I do to prevent my child from being taken abroad?
If you are concerned that your child may be taken abroad without your agreement, you should seek urgent legal advice. The steps available will depend on the circumstances, including where your child is habitually resident, whether there is already a court order in place, and the country involved.
In some cases, it may be possible to apply to the court for orders preventing a child from being removed from England and Wales. If a child has already been taken abroad, urgent advice may be needed on child abduction and the steps available to secure their return.
Visit our international child abduction page to find out more.
- Do I need divorce lawyers in more than one country?
You may need advice in more than one country if your divorce involves different jurisdictions, overseas assets, children abroad or enforcement of a financial order overseas.
JMW advises on family law in England and Wales. Where advice is needed in another jurisdiction, we can coordinate with overseas divorce lawyers to ensure your case is managed consistently and strategically across all relevant countries.
Talk to us
If your divorce involves more than one country, early advice from solicitors skilled in international divorce cases can help you understand your options and protect your position from the outset.
Our family law team can provide clear, strategic guidance on jurisdiction, financial settlements, overseas assets, enforcement and child arrangements. We will help you take the right steps with clarity, wherever you are based.
To speak to an international divorce specialist in confidence, call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form to arrange a call at a time that suits you.
