Legal Question in Family Law in California

Serving Custody Papers in a foreign country

How do I go about serving Custody papers on my child's mother in a foreign country. I know her address but she is in another country in Europe. I just left the country over 2 years ago and hasn't seen our daughter since. I want what is best for my daughter. But I can provide a more stable, loving, and learning environment. How do I serve custody papers on her mother in a foreign country? Please help. I thank you from the botom of my heart in advance!


Asked on 1/04/08, 11:23 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Anne Marie Healy Law Offices of Anne Marie Healy

Re: Serving Custody Papers in a foreign country

Go to a local law library and ask the librarian where to find the Rutter's guide to Civil Procedure Before Trial. This guide is actually about 3 volumes. You will want to look up "service of summons and complaint (petition) in a foreign country." Something like that.

You'll figure it out.

At the risk of sounding like I am trying to scare you into getting an attorney: Be careful going for custody. There is also a Rutter's guide for Family Law. Do some research on the basic issues concerning changing custody.

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Answered on 1/05/08, 1:20 am
John Steele Steele Law Firm

Re: Serving Custody Papers in a foreign country

Its extremely difficult since a court here does not have personal jurisdiction and thus cannot hold her in contempt, etc. So any order is toothless.

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Answered on 1/05/08, 1:49 pm


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