International Divorce Solicitors
Breakthrough Solicitors provides expert advice for men or women going through an international divorce.
You don’t have to navigate this alone—start with a straightforward, free initial consultation with a family law solicitor to understand your rights, responsibilities, and options.
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
International Divorce – Expert Guidance Across Borders
Divorce is naturally complex, but when it involves more than one country, legal system, or jurisdiction, the stakes are even higher. You may be worried about which country’s laws apply, how overseas property will be divided, or where your children will live.
At Breakthrough Solicitors, we are here to guide you through the nuances of cross-border divorce. Our experienced family law team takes the time to truly understand your situation and provide advice that is practical, honest, and tailored to you.
Why Choose Breakthrough Solicitors?
- Specialist International Expertise: Our solicitors are experienced in handling cross-border disputes and cases involving foreign assets.
- Strategic and Risk-Focused: We assess jurisdiction and applicable laws early on to manage risk, help protect your financial position, and avoid unnecessary legal conflict.
- Trusted and Responsive: Our Google reviews reflect our commitment to professionalism. We understand that international cases often require urgent action, and we provide the responsive support you need.
- Inclusive and respectful: We proudly support all families, including LGBTQ+ clients, and approach every case with sensitivity and respect for different family structures.
- Flexible locations and remote support: We work with clients across England and Wales—remotely or in person at our offices in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex, and London.
- Multilingual advice: Clear, jargon-free legal advice available in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Cantonese.
- Convenient meeting times: We offer flexible appointments:
- Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm
- Saturday: 9am – 6pm
- Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Speak to a family lawyer today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
How Breakthrough Solicitors handle your international divorce case
Divorce law in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2022, introducing “no-fault divorce.” You can now end a marriage solely on the basis that it has irretrievably broken down, without the need to assign blame.
This shift often makes the English courts a much faster and more respectful environment for resolving a separation compared to many other jurisdictions.
While the law has become simpler, international cases still require a high level of strategic care. Deciding where to file and how to handle global assets remains critical to protecting your future.
At Breakthrough Solicitors, we guide you through the complexities of cross-border proceedings with a clear, structured approach:
- Initial consultation and jurisdictional check: We listen to your situation, review your residency status and assets to determine if the courts in England and Wales are the most advantageous place to start your case.
- Divorce application or response: We help you complete your divorce application. If your spouse has started proceedings abroad, we act quickly to protect your position and advise on the ideal response.
- Managing jurisdictional challenges: We provide clear advice on “forum shopping” and resolve disputes over which country’s court should handle the matter or the validity of a foreign marriage.
- Alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Where appropriate, we prioritise mediation and negotiation to reduce costs and stresses of cross-border litigation while giving you more control over the outcome.
- Court proceedings (if required): If matters cannot be resolved out of court, we provide robust representation in formal international proceedings to protect your assets and children.
- Final Order advice: We advise on the timing and legal implications of the Final Order in other countries, ensuring all international requirements are met before your marriage legally ends.
- Support beyond the divorce: We provide specialist advice on dividing global assets, including foreign property, pensions, and child arrangements, ensuring no cross-border issue is overlooked.
Key international divorce concerns — and how we build a strong case to manage disputes
International divorces often involve high-stakes disagreements over global finances or where children should live.
Being well-prepared is essential to protecting your interests across multiple jurisdictions. We encourage our clients to approach their case feeling informed, organised, and strategically supported.
Key ways to strengthen your position:
- Keep detailed records of global assets: This includes foreign property deeds, offshore bank statements, international business interests, and foreign pension details.
- Clear timeline of residency: A simple record of where you and your spouse have lived and worked over the years helps establish “habitual residence” and “domicile,” – crucial for determining jurisdiction.
- Understand your rights across borders: Knowing how the law in England and Wales treats foreign assets compared to other countries helps you make more informed decisions about where to file.
- Act quickly to secure jurisdiction: In international law, the country where the divorce is started first can often determine which laws apply. Early advice is crucial to ensure you are not at a disadvantage.
- Get specialist professional support: Our international divorce solicitors help you assess your options, plan ahead, and respond confidently if disputes arise.
Your rights and options in an international divorce — and how our solicitors support you
Divorce is a major life transition that reshapes your global finances and your future security. When assets are held in multiple countries, understanding your rights is the first step toward making informed decisions.
The law in England and Wales is known for its focus on achieving fairness and its ability to take international assets into account. At Breakthrough Solicitors, we guide you through all key areas, including:
- International Financial Settlements: We help you navigate the division of global assets, including foreign property, offshore investments, and business interests held abroad.
- Spousal Maintenance Across Borders: Assessing whether ongoing financial support is appropriate and ensuring that maintenance agreements can be effectively enforced in different jurisdictions.
- Global Pension Sharing: Pensions are often a significant asset; we ensure that both UK and foreign pensions are correctly valued and considered in your settlement.
- International Child Arrangements: Advising on matters such as relocation abroad with your children or dispute regarding international contact.
- Protecting Against Asset Removal: If there is a risk that assets may be moved or hidden overseas, we advise on urgent legal protections.
- Court Representation and Enforcement: Providing clear advice and strong representation if court proceedings are necessary.
Speak to a family lawyer today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
How to start your international divorce case with Breakthrough Solicitors
Navigating an international divorce can feel daunting, given the legal, financial, and jurisdictional complexities involved.
Every country has its own divorce laws – in some circumstances these may be favourable to you, in others domestic law (England and Wales) will be of most benefit to you.
Our multilingual team can support you in English, Gujarati, Hindi, or Cantonese, helping to make the process easier.
We provide practical advice and support to help you understand your options, assess your circumstances, and take confident, informed steps.
- Get in touch: Contact us by phone, email, or online enquiry form.
- Free initial consultation (up to 30 minutes): Speak with an experienced family solicitor, understand your options, and ask questions — with no obligation. Here, we’ll also ask for documents in advance for KYC and AML checks.
- Fixed-fee one-hour meeting – £295 (incl. VAT): Meet with Akash Soni and a member of his team to discuss your case in detail, understand how the law applies to you, and receive a tailored strategy.
- Formal instruction: If you choose to proceed, we will send you a client care letter and request a deposit (usually £500, depending on complexity).
- Ongoing support: We take action on your behalf, negotiate where possible, and represent you where required — keeping you informed at every step.
Our international divorce solicitors help manage your case professionally, sensitively, and strategically — keeping you informed and supported throughout.
Flexible Support That Fits Around You
✓ Remote or Face-to-Face Meetings
We offer meetings remotely via video call, or in person at our offices in Amersham, Beaconsfield, Berkhamsted, Chesham, Chorleywood, Gerrards Cross, Harrow, High Wycombe, Mayfair, Milton Keynes, Rickmansworth or The Chalfonts — whichever suits you best.
✓ Advice In Multiple Languages
Support available in English, Cantonese, Hindi, and Gujarati.
✓ Extended Working Hours
Speak to us 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends.
Speak to a family lawyer today!
Owner of Breakthrough Solicitors
Solicitor & Mediator
Father of Two
Frequently Asked Questions About International Divorce
What is international divorce?
An international divorce is any divorce that involves connections to more than one country.
It is not just about where you file; it applies if you and your spouse have different nationalities, own property or assets abroad, or are currently living in different jurisdictions. If your life together has crossed borders, your divorce may be international.
How does an international divorce differ from a traditional divorce?
The main differences involve jurisdiction, asset location, and cross-border enforcement. While a standard divorce is handled by a local court, an international case requires solving “where” and “how” your settlement will be recognised globally.
- Choosing the jurisdiction: Where you file can drastically change the financial outcome. The court must determine which country has the “closest connection” to the family to ensure the case proceeds in the most appropriate and favourable location.
- Managing global assets: Dividing foreign property, offshore business interests, or international pensions requires specialist expertise to account for cross-border tax implications and ensure orders are enforceable abroad.
- Arrangements for children: Legal structures must be put in place for international travel and relocation to prevent future disputes over where a child should live or attend school.
Can I get a divorce in the UK if my marriage took place overseas?
Where you got married is irrelevant as long as the marriage is valid under the laws of the country where the marriage took place.
You can get divorced in England as long as you or your spouse are habitually resident in England or domiciled here.
What law governs divorce in England and Wales?
Divorce in England and Wales is governed primarily by the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, as amended by more recent legislation, including the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which came into force on 6 April 2022.
How do I apply for an international divorce?
To apply for an international divorce in England and Wales, you must meet the jurisdiction requirements, such as being habitually resident or domiciled in the UK. The process usually begins with filing a divorce application at the Family Court, which sets out your marriage details.
If one spouse is overseas, service of documents may need to follow international conventions, such as the Hague Service Convention, or local legal requirements in that country.
How long does it take to get an international divorce?
The timeframe for an international divorce depends on your specific circumstances. However, under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, there is a mandatory statutory minimum timeframe:
- 20-week reflection period: Between the start of the application and the Conditional Order.
- 6 weeks and 1 day: The mandatory wait between the Conditional Order and the Final Order.
This means a divorce cannot be finalized in less than 26 weeks. While a standard case may finish around this mark, international divorces often take significantly longer.
Factors such as resolving financial disputes, valuing international assets, or the complexities of serving legal papers across borders can extend the process well beyond the statutory minimum.
Our international divorce lawyers can assess your situation and provide a time frame for how long the process might take.
How will the finances be dealt with in an international divorce?
Countries around the world have diverse approaches to financial settlements. The UK is known for its flexibility in the division of matrimonial assets, whereas other jurisdictions may follow much more restrictive rules. These variations make choosing the right jurisdiction at the outset a vital part of your strategy.
It is a common misconception that a court order is only effective in the country that granted it. In reality, the recognition and enforcement of financial orders abroad depend on international treaties and reciprocal arrangements between countries.
There may or may not be ways to enforce the ruling elsewhere and it is important to consider this in advance. It is therefore wise to seek legal advice at the outset, so you understand your options and can make an informed decision.
What happens to children during an international divorce?
In the UK, there are two primary principles with regards to children during a divorce:
- The welfare of the child is paramount and is assessed on a case-by-case basis,
- The courts of the child’s country of ‘habitual residence’ will generally have jurisdiction
Complications can often arise if a spouse of a separated couple might want to take their children back to the UK from the marital home in continental Europe. However, as the children reside outside of the UK, the local courts are the ones who should determine residence.
What happens in the free consultation?
A 30-minute, no-obligation call where you discuss your situation and options with an experienced family solicitor.
What is the fixed fee meeting?
A one-hour advice session costing £295 (including VAT), where we provide tailored legal advice and a clear strategy going forward.