MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Expert Opinions on Unique Legal Issues Experienced by International Families

Strategy & Consulting
for International Clients

& their Family Lawyers

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Planning for Future Family Law Issues Before an International Relocation

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Dispute Resolution for International Families

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Expert Opinions on Unique Legal Issues Experienced by International Families

Strategy & Consulting
for International Clients

& their Family Lawyers

Family Law Across Borders Blog

Type a search term & press Enter to search the updated summaries of cases MKFL is watching.

Solving International
Family Law Disputes

MKFL helps clients across the globe, and their family lawyers, navigate and understand the complex maze of laws that impact them when they have some connection to another country.

MKFL works alongside local legal teams to design a comprehensive, uniquely-tailored plan, to solve cross-border family disputes for strategic clients who have a connection to the United States.

With its vast worldwide network, MKFL can help you create an international family law strategy.

MKFL Can Help You With…

  • Strategic Case Consulting

    MKFL works with your legal team to provide strategic advice and support on the complex international law issues you are facing in your family law dispute. Not only will you structure a tailor-made plan for your family law case, but MKFL can support your team in litigation and appeals.

    Create a Case Plan

  • Pre-Relocation Consultation

    If you are thinking of moving overseas with your family, MKFL offers flat-fee consultations to provide information you should consider in case your relationship breaks down, you want to return home, or you need to seek family law advice in the future.

    Know Before You Go

  • Neutral Intervention

    MKFL can serve as a neutral to help you resolve your international family law dispute economically and comprehensively. Melissa is a skilled mediator who works with international families across the globe, tailoring their dispute resolution process to meet the needs and sensitivities of any case.

    Resolve your Dispute

  • Expert Legal Opinions

    MKFL provides expert legal opinions, in writing and through oral testimony, to educate a court about the unique impact of international and jurisdictional laws and processes in your family's situation.

    Learn & Add Expertise

Cases To Watch on the Family Law Across Borders Blog

MKFL watches important international cases & summarizes their updates here on its blog for your convenience.

Blog Family Law Across Borders
Case Update (14 May 2025): Muehlbauer v. Muehlbauer; forensic expert who relied on selected information from retaining party can be cross-examined
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Case Update (29 April 2025): DSS v. CB; foreign divorce judgment recognized as a matter of comity to then enter order in NY to divide NY-based retirement
Read More →
Case Update (5 May 2025): Giguere v. Tardif; Motion to dismiss request to return children to Quebec denied
Read More →
Case Update (24 April 2025): In re International Judicial Assistance in Azak v. Azak; it was appropriate to appoint a commissioner to take testimony from a witness in WA for foreign proceeding
Read More →
DOS Update (1 May 2025): 2025 Annual Compliance Published
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Case Update (30 April 2025): Armand v. Armand; parent’s corporal punishment and domineering parent was not a grave risk of harm
Read More →
Case Update (29 April 2025): Blasi v. Dunnagan; abstention is not appropriate in a federal Hague Abduction case when other suits are custody suits in Italy and Thailand
Read More →
Case Update (25 April 2025): In re. Kelly & Turner; repeated violence met clear and convincing burden of a grave risk that warranted a judge not returning an abducted child
Read More →
Case Update (23 April 2025): Niemeyer v. Niemeyer; no abuse of discretion in denying an ASI that would have enjoined Mother from proceeding with Turkish custody case
Read More →
Case Update (2 April 2025): Parra v. Camargo; general allegations of drugs and sexual abuse by institutions in Chile was insufficient to prove an intolerable situation
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Case Update (11 April 2025): Gard-Holm v. Holm; Indiana court had no jurisdiction because the child’s home state was Germany when the custody proceeding was commenced
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Case Update (9 April 2025): Ballesteros v. Ruiz; oral settlement agreement is enforceable under state law
Read More →
HCCH Update (4 April 2025): 15 Years of the Washington Declaration on International Family Relocation
Read More →
Case Update (20 March 2025): CT v. Superior Court; custody jurisdiction is determined at the time the proceeding was commenced/filed
Read More →
Case Update (28 March 2025): Correa Morales v. Escobar Restrepo; agreement was conditioned on location in US and visits to Colombia; therefore no consent unless conditions were met
Read More →
Case Update (17 March 20250: Gomez v. Gonzalez; Child was habitually resident in Mexico despite Mother’s assertion that she was coerced into remaining there
Read More →
Case Update (7 March 2025): Bassat v. Dana; parties’ force majeure clause did not permit Parent to retain children in USA from Israel because of the war
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Case Update (5 March 2025): Elkhaiat v. Mawashi; Court orders Respondent to accompany 1-year old to Canada upon Child’s return as an ameliorative measure
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Case Update (5 March 2025): In re Marriage of Wang; Court of Appeals affirms restricting visitation to USA for parent in China
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Case Update (5 March 2025): In re Jenkins; parent should file in child’s home state, or demonstrate the home state declines jurisdiction to proceed elsewhere under UCCJEA
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Case Update (25 Feb 2025): Laing v. Fortini-Laing; Respondent’s retention of children in Illinois was not wrongful; Petitioner consented to their new residence
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Case Update (27 Feb 2025): Xia v. Scott; BIA failed to make findings as to child’s connections to USA at time of adoption that go to his habitual residence under Adoption Convention
Read More →
Case Update (19 Feb 2025): Cavalcanti Lyra v. King; petitioner has burden to establish parentage as a matter of law
Read More →
Case Update (13 Feb 2025): Aarabi v. Kerroum; Father who paid for initial rent in USA and spent time with child in USA was not acquiescing to child’s relocation to USA
Read More →
Case Update (13 Feb 2025): US v. Zielinski; IPKCA does not provide defense of fleeing violence against a third party
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Case Update (10 Feb 2025): Ontiveros v. Pinion, child’s habitual residence did not shift to USA when child resided in USA to obtain LPR status and nothing more
Read More →
Case Update (7 Feb 2025): In Matter of Penichet and Corroon; Defendant Father had insufficient personal connections to Mexico to warrant enforcement of Mexican child support order
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Case Update (16 Jan 2025): Pacheco v. Martinez; Children returned to Mexico under Abduction Convention
Read More →
Case Update (29 Jan 2025): Tatari v. Durust; District Court examines Turkish law to find Father has right of custody and child should be returned
Read More →
Case Update (29 Jan 2025): Matter of Lily; foreign adoption was recognized under DRL even without a copy of the child’s visa
Read More →

What Other Lawyers Say

  • Jennifer Riemer

    Melissa is brilliant and an incredible asset if your case involves international issues.

    – Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles

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portrait of Melissa Kucinski, U.S.-based international family lawyer

Melissa Kucinski

I work with families who have some connection to another country and are going through a breakdown in their relationship with a partner, spouse, co-parent, or other family member, to create a legal plan for resolving their dispute.

Melissa Kucinski is a U.S.-based international lawyer who has spent her career working in the field of family law.

“The legal problems that my clients have are some of the most complicated, and they require expert advice beyond what is typically provided by their family lawyer.

I help both the client and their family lawyer sort through the maze of international treaties, jurisdictional rules, and legal processes to create a plan for their case, to minimize unnecessary litigation, to save costs and time, and to achieve a solution that moves the family forward.

I have spent my entire career building a network of resources, experts, and professionals, to help solve these problems.”