Palm Beach International Custody & Child Abduction Lawyers

Child abduction, whether across our state lines or international borders, can be a highly stressful and challenging problem for parents and families. At John F. Schutz, P.L., we have helped many families in these difficult situations with an aggressive pursuit of safely returning the child home or through the defense of parents opposing a child’s move to a foreign country. 

Our firm brings a comprehensive understanding of Florida and international custody laws to these cases, including the use of The Hague Convention. This international treaty is dedicated to the issue of transnational child custody and abduction. 

As a Board-Certified matrimonial law attorney, Mr. Schutz is an expert in Florida family law. He is also highly knowledgeable and skilled in international child custody disputes. He has critical experience working with the Central Authority of the United States of America under the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA). 

He is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML), a worldwide association of practicing lawyers recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law practitioners in their respective countries.

Discuss your case with a Palm Beach international custody and child abduction attorney in a confidential consultation. You can reach us online or at (561) 677-2462. 

In-Depth Knowledge of Interstate & International Family Law

Several laws and treaties can help you in custody disputes and child abduction cases that cross borders at the state and international levels. At John F. Schutz, P. L., we are well-versed in these laws and treaties and their application.   

Hague Convention Abduction Cases

The Hague Convention. This international treaty provides legal procedures for returning children who have been wrongfully removed from their homes or retained across international borders. The convention was concluded in 1980 at The Hague, Netherlands, hence its name.

The primary goal of the convention is to preserve whatever status quo child custody arrangement existed immediately before an alleged wrongful removal or retention, thereby deterring a parent from crossing international boundaries in search of a more sympathetic court. 

The convention applies only to children under the age of 16.

 As of 2021, 101 countries are party to the convention. In the United States, the convention has been implemented through the  International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA). 

International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA). This significant legislation established procedures for filing child abduction cases and implements the Hague Convention treaty. It prohibits a parent from removing a child from the United States or retaining a child in another country to obstruct the lawful exercise of parental rights. 

The overarching objectives of ICARA are to return abducted children as swiftly as possible, prevent new abductions, and strengthen and expand the Hague Convention.

Mr. Schutz has represented clients in international Hague Convention abduction cases involving Sweden, France, Jamaica, Dubai, Italy, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Bermuda, Germany, Mexico, Iran, Sierra Leone, the Dominican Republic, India, and other countries.