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International Divorce Specialists

The solicitors at Grant Stephens Family Law have a high level of expertise in advising clients going through a divorce with international elements, guiding you through the process with clear, confidential advice.

International Divorce Specialists Cardiff and Swansea

In modern society, international divorce is increasingly common as people live, work, get married or hold assets overseas. This often adds a layer of complexity when going through a relationship breakdown.

Our solicitors have years of experience and expertise dealing with complex divorces with international aspects, ensuring that we offer the highest level of expertise and confidentiality.

Your Local Divorce Solicitors

Grant Stephens Family Law is a Welsh based firm, with offices in central Cardiff and the SA1 waterfront area of Swansea. We are perfectly positioned to assist clients internationally, offering impeccable client care and a high degree of expertise to ensure that you get the best outcome possible during your international divorce. 

What is international Divorce?

International divorce is a term used when a couple who has connections to another country get divorced. 

If you separate from your partner while you live abroad and then one of you decides to move back to the UK, it will still be classed as an international divorce if you decide to get divorced in the UK.

If you are habitually resident it the UK then you are entitled to get divorced within the laws of England and Wales.

It is important however, if one party is habitually resident in another country, to consider and seek advice as to whether the international jurisdiction may be more beneficial for you to proceed with divorce in. Our solicitors can help signpost you when such advice would be prudent to seek.

If neither party is habitually resident in the UK, the Courts of England and Wales do not have jurisdiction to deal with the divorce at all.

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What situations does an international divorce apply to?

Jurisdictional Elements

Which country can you divorce in?

A key decision to make when you are going through a divorce with international elements, is deciding which jurisdiction to divorce in as it can significantly impact the outcome of your matter, especially when there are significant assets and some complex financial interests involved. 

There are requirements to divorce in a certain country. They are as follows:

  • Habitual residence – The place in which a person usually resides and routinely returns to after travelling to other countries.
  • Domicile – A person’s permanent home/ primary place of residence. A person must have the intention to return to this place even if they temporarily live elsewhere.
  • Nationality – A person’s membership of a nation or a sovereign state.
  • The country that the marriage took place in.

Each country has different laws so it is vital that you get advice as soon as possible from an expert international divorce solicitor. It may be the case that, upon consideration, the jurisdiction of England and Wales may not be the most favourable jurisdiction for you to proceed with your divorce in.

First to File

In an international divorce, the ‘first to file’ can be crucial as, in some cases, it can significantly impact the proceedings and the outcomes for each party.

Why is ‘first to file’ so important in some cases?

The reasons for this can vary on a case-by-case basis and it is something that your solicitor will discuss with you early on. However, some of the reasons can include:

  • Precedence in jurisdiction – In some countries, the country that receives the divorce petition first will then be the country to conduct the proceedings.
  • Recognition of decisions – In some cases, the first country’s filing decisions might be more likely to be recognised and then enforced in other countries. When it comes to finalising the divorce, this can be essential.

While the ‘first to file’ is not relevant in the jurisdiction of England and Wales, if there is a possibility that you could or your spouse may file in a different jurisdiction for divorce, it is vital that you are signposted to obtain advice on your options in that jurisdiction as soon as possible so you are not prejudiced as a result of inaction. Early advice is key.

The International Divorce Process – How it works?

International Divorce and Children

If you are going through an international divorce and you have children, there can be some more complex elements that it is important to get advice about from an experienced family law solicitor. 

Cross border child arrangements

Cross border child arrangements involve both the legal and practical considerations that have to be made when a child is involved in custody proceedings across international borders. 

Jurisdiction and Habitual Residence

The habitual residence of a child will be the place with which the child has a level of integration in a social and family environment. This can include:

  • Educational arrangements
  • Peer relationships
  • Practical daily life patterns
  • Language development
  • Cultural adaptation 

How do courts determine a child’s habitual residence

The courts will always act in the child’s best interests when determining the child’s habitual residence. They apply a child centred assessment which focuses on the social and family environment rather than the intentions of each parent.

The court can prevent a child being relocated out of the jurisdiction of England and Wales and will not sanction such move unless they are confident that it is I the child’s best interests.

Similarly, the court can order a return of a child removed from England and Wales if the court deem it to be in their best interests. In such circumstances, it is vital that consideration is given as to whether the child is in a country that is a signatory of the Hague Convention and to seek early advice on the best mechanism to seek to return the child, bearing in mind the potentially differing laws in the receiving country.

When should you seek advice?

We advise that, due to the added complexity that international elements can bring, you seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure that you and your children’s best interests are protected.

International Divorce and Finances

The division of international assets

Instructing financial professionals

Divorce Services

Meet your team of International Divorce Solicitors

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Grant Stephens

Managing Director (He/ him)

Lisa Evans profile photo

Lisa Evans

Director (She/ her)

Bethany Davies profile photo

Bethany Davies

Director (She/ her)

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Leah Rhydderch

Senior Associate Solicitor (She/ her)

Grant Stephens Family Law - Testimonials

“Grant was excellent in dealing with the financial element and finalisation of my divorce. My case was fairly complex and he gave me confidence in what could have been a very stressful situation. As well as being extremely professional, matters were explained succinctly , and all options explored. Nothing was too much trouble, and in addition to the legal advice given, I appreciated the humility that was shown. The service provided has been exceptional and I would highly recommend Grant Stephens”.


Anonymous

“Grant and his team represented me through an extremely difficult and emotional period. Grant offered unrivalled advice and support throughout my divorce and always acted professionally and promptly with my best interests at heart. I cannot recommend them enough. Thank you Grant”.


Damien

“I struggle to find the vocabulary that encapsulates the remarkable essence of this Law Firm. From the second I walked in I was treated as equally as important as everyone else and instantly made to feel part of a family that cares. At every single stage I was kept informed and updated on every point regardless of magnitude. Every phone call and email was answered immediately and instantly actioned. A special mention to Grant Stephens and Nel Roberts who worked tirelessly and relentlessly, at weekends and evenings to ensure that everything ran like clockwork. Neither Grant nor Nel ever took a backward step, rather displayed an unwavering focus on constant progress. Without this team my family wouldn’t have the future we’ve now been afforded. I truly am beyond grateful and I’ll never forget how this team wonderfully changed my son’s and my family’s life. The lovely genuine team at Grant Stephens Family Law operate at an elite level in a time and space all of their own. The passion, service and professionalism is exceptional because they care…. and the warm family feel is a bonus gift all of its own!”


Mr C De-Vulgt

“I had an amazing experience with Grant and Bethany. Grant and Bethany are true professionals, and after my experience with them I am so glad I chose this firm. If you are reading this review and are experiencing any sort of family matter, I urge you to give them a call, my experience was they will start getting things sorted for you from the moment you get in touch. Even though my case was admittedly very complicated, their hard work has taken me from no contact with my daughter, to building a meaningful relationship with her. Their knowledge, experience and professionalism is outstanding and I was extremely impressed with the representation I had from them in court. But what really separates this firm from the rest is the level of care they have for their clients. They wanted to do everything they could to help me, and with my case they truly went over and above. They aren’t just great solicitors, they are great people and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done”.


Mr A

“Grant Stephens Family Law handled my drawn out, complicated and acrimonious divorce with the utmost professionalism and support. The firm could not have offered me better advice or more support throughout the entire process. Without their expertise and the way they guided me, I can honestly say I would have given up on many occasions. I cannot recommend the firm highly enough”.


Kerry

“I cannot recommend Lisa and Grant Stephens Family Law highly enough. Lisa has been representing me throughout my ongoing divorce and financial settlement, and her professionalism, expertise, and support have been exceptional from the very beginning. This has been an incredibly difficult process, but Lisa has always taken the time to provide clear, honest, and practical advice, ensuring I understand my options and feel confident in every decision I make. What has stood out most is Lisa’s genuine compassion and commitment. She combines outstanding legal knowledge with a calm, supportive approach, making a challenging situation far more manageable. I am extremely grateful for Lisa’s dedication and the excellent service I have received from Grant Stephens Family Law so far. I would not hesitate to recommend the firm to anyone looking for an experienced, trustworthy, and compassionate family law solicitor”.


R.J

“I cannot recommend Bethany highly enough. She supported me through one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging periods of my life, and throughout the entire children matter she was calm, professional, honest and exceptionally reassuring. Bethany always explained the process clearly, gave balanced and practical advice, and made sure that I fully understood every option before making decisions. What stood out most was that Bethany never lost sight of what truly mattered: securing a stable, fair and child-focused outcome. She handled difficult correspondence in a measured and professional way, remained focused on the important issues rather than unnecessary conflict, and gave me confidence at times when I was understandably anxious about the process. Her judgement and strategy were excellent. The final outcome provides long-term certainty, stability and equal involvement from both parents, which was exactly what I had hoped to achieve from the outset. I will always be extremely grateful to Bethany for the role she played in helping secure that outcome. Beyond her legal expertise, Bethany treated me with genuine kindness, patience and respect. I always felt that she listened to me, understood how important the matter was, and genuinely cared about achieving the best possible result for my family. Bethany is an outstanding solicitor and an absolute credit to Grant Stephens Family Law.”


Matthew

“There are simply not enough words to express my gratitude to Nel and everyone at Grant Stephens Family Law. Nel listened without judgement, gave honest and practical advice, and guided me through one of the most difficult and emotionally challenging periods of my life. Every step of the way, I felt supported, informed, and confident that she was fighting for what was right. What truly sets Nel apart is her professionalism, dedication, and genuine compassion. She never once wavered, no matter how challenging the process became. She was always prepared, always approachable, and always had my son’s best interests at the heart of everything she did. Because of Nel’s hard work, commitment, and expertise, my son and I now have the meaningful time together that every father and child deserves. I genuinely believe the outcome would not have been the same without her dedication and determination. If you are looking for a family law solicitor who is exceptionally knowledgeable, genuinely cares about her clients, and will stand by you through every stage of the process, then I cannot recommend Nel and Grant Stephens Family Law highly enough.”


Mr A Morris

“The Most Kind and Lovely Person to Have Evie was and is an amazing, kind, and thoughtful person who I had the pleasure of dealing with my case. She helped me and reassured me in difficult times. I don’t know where I would be without her. She helped build my confidence and trust with people again after my ex. She gave me back my power. I genuinely mean this from the bottom of my heart; she saved me from so much negativity going around me at the time and supported me with coming out of my abusive relationship. She supported me and dealt with thousands of calls off me, which probably done her head in. I feel I have my confidence back and I am able to be me again and be the best mum to my daughter”.


Rhianna

“I cannot thank Nel and the team at Grant Stephens Family Law enough for the support they’ve given me throughout my divorce over the past year. It has been an incredibly difficult and emotional time, and their guidance, expertise, patience, and professionalism have made all the difference. Nel not only advised me expertly on every legal aspect, with her and the team being extremely responsive and skilled, but also consistently supported my wellbeing and advocated for both me and my son from a welfare perspective. I’ve always felt genuinely supported and well‑advised at every stage. The whole team has been extremely communicative, available, thorough, and truly invested in helping me move forward. I’m deeply grateful for everything they’ve done and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone needing family law support. Without Nel and the team, I would not be moving into a new home, with a fair settlement and agreements that above all, work in the best interest of my young son”.


S, Cardiff

“Ar adeg pan oedd arna i wir angen help, nid yn unig y cefais hynny ond cefais y gorau hefyd! Rydych chi’n cymryd eich swydd o ddifrif calon ac roeddech chi’n chwa o awyr iach. Dydw i erioed wedi profi lefel y gwasanaeth a ddarparwyd gennych, a theimlaf eich bod yn glod i’ch proffesiwn. Daliwch ati gyda’r gwaith da gan eich bod chi wir yn gwneud cymaint o wahaniaeth i fywydau pobl.”


Cleient Cyfraith Teulu

“I received great service from you, and I agree with the other testimonials here; You are very approachable, empathic and overall, very professional. I will definitely recommend you to friends if they need help with a family law case.”


N, Cardiff

“I would like to thank you so much for your assistance over this difficult period, your professionalism and advise has truly given us the decision we wanted as a family.”


John Morgan, Newport

“Thank you for all of your work towards finalising my divorce. It seems a bit strange to be thanking someone for that but your good humour, honesty and efficiency really made a huge difference through what has been the hardest time of my life. You even managed to make me laugh! Thank you.”


L, Cardiff

“At a time that I really needed help, I not only got it but I got the best! You take your job extremely seriously and you were a breath of fresh air. I have never experienced the level of service that you provided and feel that you are a credit to your profession. Keep up the good work as you really do make such a difference to people’s lives.”


F, Cardiff

Having used Grant recently in a Court matter relating to contact with my son, I found Grant to be approachable, understanding, empathic, considerate and ultimately very professional with the way in which he conducted himself throughout the case.  Always there to give you that peace of mind, guidance and support when it’s most needed.  I would have no hesitation in highly recommending Grant for his services.”


Stephen Loynton

Grant represented me, negotiating family and relationships and children.  Having no experience in this field, I entrusted Grant who is personable, empathetic and realistic with one’s circumstances; whilst ultimately professional with guidance, presenting all the facts of the situation in a straight and honest manner thus enabling me to make informed decisions.  Grant’s abilities gain his clients optimum results, in the least amount of time which lessens the burden. Excellent service thanks you!”


Debra Thomas, Bridgend

“Grant Stephens literally saved my court case for my daughter and has now given her the potential to have a full and meaningful relationship with myself, her father. Although my last minute involvement of Grant, he was able to grasp the situation I had been placed in thoroughly and effectively and in turn provided me with the assistance to win my court case. I will be eternally grateful for the support and service he provided to me, especially my statement he prepared that was written in a professional manner as well as had the main aspect of what was the best interests for my daughter. I would recommend anyone that has a child related case to seek Grant’s service and I am more than confident that he will help you to win.”


Mathew Azzopardi, Cardiff

“I cannot recommend Grant Stephens highly enough! If you’re looking for a highly efficient Divorce Lawyer who will go the extra mile for you, then look no further. From the moment I walked in through his door I was made to feel at ease which was no mean feat considering the devastation I was feeling at the time. I immediately felt that Grant was a man whom I could trust. At all times I was confident that he was working not just for me but WITH me to achieve the best possible result. He explained my options clearly and kept me informed throughout, making sure I understood the next step. I felt guided and encouraged through what was a very traumatic time in my life. Grant was highly efficient and always available to me at the end of the phone when I got the “wobbles”. I truly believe he had my best interests at heart. He is obviously passionate about his work and genuinely cares about his clients. Sincere thanks to you Grant for a job executed exceptionally well.”


Vanessa Powys, Cardiff

“From the moment we met Grant we had confidence in his ability. He was clear in his advice, and he avoided legal jargon. He set our expectations on costs and was careful ensure all his work was productive. While a contested financial resolution was never going to be pleasurable, Grant’s good­ humoured nature ensured that our meetings were enjoyable as well as business-like; particular thanks to him for helping Cheryl through the Court Hearings which would have been very stressful without his support. Throughout we were lucky to have Grant “in our corner” and the end result was a fair settlement: we recommend him without hesitation.”


Nick

“Thank you for all of your help, support and sound advice in these matters; I feel like I’m a lot further forward than I was when I first came to you. Many thanks for everything”


Rachel

“I’m not sure that I could ever quite explain just how grateful I am to you. Not only have you managed to get a financial settlement that far exceeded my expectations, but you have made it all so bearable along the way. From day one you have been friendly, approachable and importantly (for me) willing to explain any silly questions I have needed to ask. You set out realistic timescales and expectations of financial expenditure at the start which were adhered to. I must also mention how wonderful your staff are. Alex, and Emma have all been a pleasure to deal with and I must give them a special mention, they truly are an asset to you. At a time when you are feeling so emotionally vulnerable, it really does make such a difference when phone calls are answered by lovely, polite, friendly people who obviously go the extra mile to show an interest in your clients.  I can and will, without reservation, highly recommend your practice to family, friends and any colleagues who may (unfortunately) find they need the services of an excellent solicitor.”


Helen Radzimierska

“Many thanks for the excellent service you provided. I would certainly recommend you and your efficient team”


Ms S Allsopp

“Grant made me feel at ease and relaxed. His office views over Cardiff add to the relaxed feel! He explained my position clearly and gave me reasoned advice, backed up by case history. I highly recommend Grant Stephens Family Law to help guide you through your Divorce.”


Jeremy Cheadle, Cardiff

“Being the Applicant in my divorce case was a hugely daunting position to find myself in. I had no idea what the future held for myself and my children. From my first meeting with Grant, I felt completely reassured that I had made the right decision in instructing him. Grant’s attention to detail was second to none. He rapidly understood my circumstances, my concerns and the needs of my children. My case was lengthy and in no way straight forward however Grant’s expert advice, professionalism and determination that the Court make a fair ruling ensured the success of my case. I cannot recommend Grant highly enough. I have not met another family lawyer of the calibre of Grant Stephens (I worked with numerous locally throughout my divorce). Grant supported me wholeheartedly, offered me sound professional advice, I became part of a team with Grant who I trust implicitly. Even when there were difficult decisions to be made, I always looked forward to my meetings with Grant due to his warm engaging nature, empathy and when appropriate good humour. Grant has secured the future for my children in incredibly trying circumstances. I feel extremely lucky to have had Grant represent me throughout this process and I could not be more grateful to him for the result he achieved.”


Alexandra Jackson

“I recently instructed Grant on a family law matter/ and was extremely impressed with the high level of service I received. Grant took great care and attention to understand the circumstances fully/ and wholly assisted both myself and my family through the entire process. His level of professionalism/ integrity and tenacity is outstanding/ which undoubtedly supported us in securing a successful outcome of our case. I would confidently recommend Grant Stephens Family Law Practice to anyone requiring sound family law advice and exceptional representation.”


Karen Jones

FAQs about International Divorce

Can I get a divorce if my spouse lives in a different country

Yes – you can still get divorced if your spouse lives in a different country. You can apply for divorce in England and Wales providing that one or both spouses meet one of the following criteria: have habitual residence or are domiciled in England and Wales or got married in England or Wales. 

Can I divorce in the UK if I live abroad

There are several factors that will determine whether you can divorce in the UK if you live abroad. The factors are:

The country that the marriage took place in.

Habitual residence 

Domicile 

Nationality 

What happens to overseas property in a divorce?

When the divorce process begins in England and Wales, you will have to disclose all international property and assets and get them accurately valued as part of the process of full and frank financial disclosure. Assets, such as properties will then be determined to be either a matrimonial asset (an asset that was gained during the marriage and therefore can be a part of the division of assets), or non-matrimonial assets (an asset that was gained before the marriage and can arguably be ring-fenced unless needed to meet the parties ‘needs’). 

To find out more about matrimonial vs. non-matrimonial assets, read our article here: Matrimonial Assets Explained .

Can child arrangements be international?

Yes – Child arrangements involve both the practical and legal decisions about where a child lives and can therefore include agreements on contact, travel plans and relocation.

How long does an international divorce take?

It is hard to give an exact answer as there are so many factors that will affect the length of an international divorce. Divorces with international elements will likely be more complex and therefore can take longer to finalise, usually requiring proceedings to be issued in court to resolve finances (although not always). Your solicitor will provide you with a likely timeline once you have instructed.

How do I start an international divorce?

The first step to starting your international divorce is to contact a specialist international divorce solicitor as soon as possible. Due to the added complexity of international elements, getting specialist advice early is important.  Such advice may include the need to obtain advice in other jurisdictions.