International Divorce & Family Law: Central and South America (including Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and the Caribbean)
We specialise in international divorce and related family law matters. Our family law solicitors advise clients from across the globe, including many from Central and South America. In particular we assist individuals who have a legal connection to Latin America in establishing whether or not they have grounds for divorce using the courts of England and Wales. This could be because they are:
- South American but live in the UK
- South American, married to a UK citizen
- Linked to the UK in some other way
We also have the capability to advise on the law in particular Central and South American countries if it is likely to have any bearing on your divorce settlement or arrangements for your children following your divorce. This could be the case if you are a UK citizen domiciled in South or Central America.
The counties that make up this region have varied histories and cultures. In many ways this has informed the way the courts in the region approach family law and divorce. There’s a high level of respect for unmarried relationships across Latin America with a high percentage of children born outside marriage.
It’s worth noting that, in general, countries in Central America that are or were part of the Commonwealth echo the laws of England and Wales in some respects in terms of the approach to financial settlements and arrangements for children. South America countries like Chile and Bolivia tend to be more influenced by European Codes, enforcing marital property regimes to a greater or lesser extent. But each country is different: Argentina for example, although it has a Family Code, also relies on previous court rulings to decide financial settlements in much the same way as the courts in England and Wales do.
While the family law system of regulations, statutes and adherence to international conventions across South and Central America is well developed, bureaucratic problems often make divorce a difficult area to negotiate. This can especially lead to difficulties in children matters where often rapid decisions need to be made and respected. One benefit of asking Brookman for advice is that we regularly deal with legal authorities in countries across the region through a network of different agents on the ground. This means we can quickly pick up your case and mitigate the effect of any bureaucratic hurdles or delays.
Or call us: +44 (0)20 7430 8470