Contrary to popular belief, child custody disputes that result in so-called parental abductions are not always confined to city, county or even state lines. In fact, it is becoming increasingly common for a divorced parent – one who is not originally from the United States – to take their children and return to their home nation without receiving permission from the court.
According to the State Department, in 2009 alone, there were 1,135 reported cases of international child abductions, (an increase of 493 from 2006).
Unfortunately, these child abductions can create a real legal nightmare for parents seeking to bring their children back to the United States.
Today’s post is the second in a series and will continue to examine why so many divorces culminate in accusations of international child abduction. Please see “The Growing Problem of International Child Abduction” for more information.
Having established how divorces between parents of differing nationalities can result in custody battles/international child abduction, it is now equally important to examine why there has been such a dramatic increase in the number of international child abductions/custody battles.
Simply put, the rise in international child abductions/custody battles can be largely attributed to a significant rise in the number of international relationships.
Experts attribute this rise in international relationships to three primary factors:
- An increase in foreign travel (whether for business or vacation)
- An increase in military operations abroad
- An increase in immigration
According to executive director of Child Find of America, Donna Linder, when parents from different countries come together to start a relationship and raise children, it can result in major “cultural differences that people may not be willing to compromise on.”
To learn more about child custody matters or parental rights, contact an experienced and skilled legal professional.
This post is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice.
Stay tuned for more from our Ft. Worth family law blog …
Related Resources:
Sharp Rise in International Parental Kidnapping Cases (The Washington Examiner)
