Mediation For Expats in Greece

Welcome to Mediation Europe (Migrant Mediation in Greece)

Family Law Specialists

Our highly respected group of worldwide divorce and family legal representatives are all English competent Conciliators. Advising a Mediators whilst living overseas can be a difficult possibility; lots of clients tell us that they felt a 'weight off their shoulders' having contacted us. Our group of arbitrators, barristers and solicitors have more than 100 years of legal training, understanding and experience between them, revealing dedication and commitment to each and every client. We are trusted family law advisors not only to individuals but to other law practice, embassies and international companies of British expatriates.

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Shining a light on family law for expats

Author is a lawyer, mediator and partner at Mediation Europe, a practice which specialises in (inter) nationwide family law.

Living an expat life can be amazing, but likewise very challenging – specifically as far as family matters are concerned. Divorce rates, for circumstances, are greater than typical among expats.

Where to apply for divorce when you are an expat?

Last summertime, I once again went through marathon mediation sessions with an expat couple in order to reach a divorce contract, and, even more notably, a parenting strategy prior to the academic year began. This was since one of the spouses had actually been assigned a new posting in the US, while the other partner did not wish to leave. A joint petition for divorce was submitted in August in the , in order to avoid further escalation and procedures in the US.

Numerous spouses who are dealing with a divorce are not familiar with the truth that divorce proceedings can be started in more than one nation. Which it is therefore important to acquire sound professional recommendations on which nation is to be chosen – as there is no single response to the concern “which is finest”.

The very first factor to consider ought to be, naturally, whether the divorce can be organized by the partners through mediation, in a collective divorce setting or with aid from their attorneys.

The benefit to this is that the Dutch courts assist in a quick divorce once the spouses have actually signed a divorce covenant. If it is not likely that a divorce covenant or any other agreement will be reached, the next important step is to figure out which courts have jurisdiction and which national laws these courts may apply, or are obliged to apply. Here are a couple of examples.

Forum shopping

As a family legal representative with a worldwide practice, I recommend my clients that it might be preferable to initiate procedures in the Greece when, for example, time is an issue. In some other countries, such as the USA, Germany and Switzerland, the spouses have to wait one year (after separation) before they can begin divorce procedures.

Another reason to choose a Dutch court is that this makes it possible to use Dutch law to the proceedings, as the court applies its own law. This indicates that you only need to state that the marital relationship has actually irretrievably broken down, as the Dutch courts do not appoint blame (if any) or consider any associated charges. In this context, it is likewise worthwhile examining which of the courts with jurisdiction regarding the divorce can use its own law concerning spousal alimony.

Do not forget that both parties can go forum shopping! When the forum has been concurred upon, the divorce petition must be filed as soon as possible with the preferred court, should a friendly divorce not be possible. When a petition is pending, any other court approached later, will then have to avoid dealing with the case.

What are your options?

As an attorney specialising in international family law, I constantly attempt to encourage my new divorce customers, especially expat clients, to consider divorce as a transfer from married life to a life after marital relationship … for both. And to mention how essential it is to try to settle the effects of the divorce, particularly when there are children included.

To accomplish a liveable life after divorce, I typically recommend mediation. Conflicts between spouses in divorce are rather frequently fit to a mediation technique, whereby the most essential possession of mediation is that the parties themselves achieve an option together. This increases the commitment to and approval of the service and the sustainability of the divorce agreement.

This is especially essential for my expat customers, as their divorce contracts are more most likely to be challenged by altering scenarios in the future.

Often, mediation is not an alternative. When the distinction in abilities and understanding in between the spouses is too terrific, threatening to create an imbalance too vast to moderate. In that case, a collective divorce setting might be a feasible option. With collaborative divorce, both celebrations choose their own lawyer to advocate their interests, along with their typical interests.

A coach with a psychological background structures the procedure, mentioning possible problems worrying kids in an early stage and guiding the moms and dads towards a service. The typical goal of this team of five is to reach the most optimal option possible for both partners.

In financially complicated cases, the services of an independent financial and/or global tax advisor can likewise be used.

Legal jungle

We do understand that international family law can often be a jungle for our expat customers, regardless of all the efforts to unify conventions and Greece policies.

Even between EU countries, there stay exceptional distinctions in guidelines and legislation. Not just concerning divorce, but also relating to children born out of a global relationship, or when the applicable matrimonial law disputes with the appropriate law of succession, specifically when it comes to real estate in different countries.

Living an expat life, the presence of this legal jungle is a crucial concern to be mindful of. Mediation Europe happily provides you their knowledge.

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Mediation: what’s the offer for ex-pats wishing to divorce?

A lot is being made of mediation in the Greece to help settle family law cases without the requirement to go to court, but exists any advantage in this new system for expats looking for divorce?

On the face of it, mediation would appear to be custom-made for those living abroad but wanting to utilize the English courts to sort out their divorce. On paper, the main advantage is that it means there is no court appearance– ideal if you do not live anywhere near the court. Is going down this path going to help if you have moved abroad to start a new life and found that your relationship does not make the relocation intact?

Around three million British ex-patriots now live abroad. 65 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds are stated to be believing seriously about moving abroad, with Australia the most popular location, followed by Canada and China according to a recent survey. ONS figures for the year to June 2010 program there were almost 350,000 long term emigrations from the Greece in the previous 12 months.

The difficulties for a couple moving abroad are lots of and varied. Transferring to a new home in your own nation can be tough enough: new surroundings, new task, new individuals, new locations, more range from family and existing good friends. The effect of these concerns can typically be magnified by making a relocation abroad. You can add an unfamiliar language, different finance system and taxes, new customs and frustrations with foreign countries that while on holiday simply appear quaint, but when you live there can be exasperating. The pressure it can put on couples is extreme.

For some couples, an emigrate can be a last ditch effort to save an ailing marital relationship. For others, it might be the realisation of a long term dream nurtured more by one party than the other. It could be loved ones forcing something that is just not for you.

Feedback we get from customers suggests that lots of British expats still find the thought of dealing with a relationship separation while overseas challenging. Do they require a local attorney? Will they understand them? How does the system work? How will they know they are not being duped?

The bright side is that the majority of the time, these are things that should not be an obstacle. Typically, English (and Welsh) courts and legal representatives can be utilized to settle the divorce. The choice on where someone can divorce revolves around where they are “domiciled” which is a legal idea used to connect a specific with a particular legal system. It takes into consideration where they were born, along with where they are living now and their intents for the future. In numerous cases, if an individual was raised in England or Wales and lived many of their life there, they can utilize our legal system. I state England and Wales, as Scotland has its own legal system.

While in lots of cases this can be done without the requirement for a court appearance “back home”, it might still end up going that method if a settlement can not be reached on properties and other problems, like plans for any kids. Are there any other paths to pursue?

Because April 2011, the Federal government has been putting an increased focus on Option Disagreement Resolution (ADR) as a method of assisting couples reach contract without taking up court time. The majority of typically discussed in terms of ADR is mediation.

Mediation involves both celebrations consenting to reach a settlement, facilitated by a mediator who can help surge out a contract. There is no need for time in court and costs can be lower. For those living abroad, this can be accomplished with a three-way telephone call, conserving the need for any possible expensive journeys in reverse and forwards to the Greece. To be sincere, many expats who come to us for aid are either looking for a straight-forward, uncontested divorce where the parties have concurred amongst themselves already the financial split and plans for children or cases where there are no children involved and no properties, to speak of, to be divided.

Versus this background, it would appear that mediation then uses little of interest to expats.

A mediation meeting on the phone may be a possibility– presuming of course the mediator agrees to this if a separated couple living abroad can not reach arrangement however.

If anyone is considering this however a word of caution– do ensure the mediator you utilize is REALLY skilled (1) in family law mediation and (2) in problems of worldwide jurisdiction. It is not likely an expat would discover such a professional, and if they do we want to hear about it as our lawyers might well be able to refer clients on.

It is important that both celebrations listen from a knowledgeable family legal representative ahead of time to make sure mediation is for them which they have actually fully discussed the legal ramifications of their position. It needs to not be that mediation replaces legal counsel but more that it is an alternative approach of conflict resolution which will work for some and not for others.

It is essential that people likewise understand the pitfalls, something their legal representative can assist with. If mediation does not work, a more conventional route will then require to be followed which will make the overall cost greater– and the expense of mediation can vary extremely. Individuals believe that a divorce will cost thousands but the truth is that it is fairly modest and mediation costs can reach the very same level likewise in many cases.

A few of the firms that do this highly specialised work will provide you a fixed-fee quote for the case, so you know exactly what it is going to cost, and will not get any nasty surprises at the end of the case.

My suggestions for any expat wanting a divorce through the English courts would be seek the counsel of a professional family legal representative experienced in handling worldwide divorce and do whatever possible to agree to a settlement which will avoid needing to come back to the Greece for a court hearing. Mediation is a moot point if you can do that.