How MKFL Can Assist Family Lawyers Inside the United States

MKFL routinely consults with family lawyers within the U.S. to help them create a comprehensive case strategy when their case has some connection to another country. Melissa is an expert on various uniform laws that determine jurisdiction over child custody and child support in the United States, and can assist family lawyers as part of their legal team in making sound legal arguments as to jurisdiction and a variety of other legal issues.

When appropriate, Melissa routinely prepares legal opinions for U.S. courts on international parental child abduction prevention issues, and resources within the United States.

Melissa’s vast network is amplified by her leadership as past or current co-chair of international family law committees within the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, American Bar Association, and New York State Bar Association. She has been a long-time advisor to the U.S. Department of State on its Advisory Committee on Private International Law. She has been a long-standing member of the Uniform Law Commission’s Joint Editorial Board on Uniform Family Law. Melissa is also a member of the Board of Governors and long-time fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers and a former consulting attorney for the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Some of the Things MKFL Can Assist With:

  • Understanding custody and child support jurisdiction under the UCCJEA and UIFSA when there are “international” orders and foreign proceedings

  • Understanding parallel proceedings between your courts and a U.S. family court

  • Assist in making appropriate arguments for lack of jurisdiction, forum non conveniens, and lis pendens

  • Understanding the process within U.S. Central Authorities

  • Understanding choice of law and the application of foreign law in U.S. family courts

  • Addressing complicated treaty issues, including issues that relate to diplomatic agents

  • Mediating family law cases where the cross-border family has a connection to the U.S. and another country

  • Understanding the conflicts in marriage and divorce laws

  • Understanding when a U.S. family court will recognize and enforce a non-U.S. family law judgment

  • Strategizing your options for when a child has been abducted out of the U.S.

  • Advising on a range of other international family law issues, including service of process in another country, seeking evidence in another country, and authenticating U.S. public documents (including apostilles)