Attorney Todd Dwire speaking with staff member in conference room

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U.S. Supreme Court will examine international child custody case

On Behalf of | Dec 14, 2012 | Firm News |

Earlier this week, we discussed the outcome of one international child custody case. Now another case in the news may be of interest to some Minnesota residents. This child custody battle concerns a soldier who has appealed to the United States Supreme Court in order to gain custody of his daughter. The daughter is currently living in Scotland with her mother.

The case began when the soldier was posted in Germany where he met his wife with whom he had a daughter. Eventually, he and his family moved to Alabama. While there, his wife was arrested for public intoxication and domestic violence, and was subsequently deported to Scotland. In due course, the solider filed for divorce. However, after he filed for divorce, his wife filed a petition in the Alabama courts and won custody of their daughter under the Hague Convention’s Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

Now the United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case. The court will decide whether the father may appeal the custody decision in Alabama courts. The soldier and his family are hoping that the Supreme Court rules in his favor.

Petitions have been filed in support of the soldier’s case, including ones from the Solicitor General of the United States, The National Center of Missing and Exploited Children and the U.S. Department of Justice. The soldier’s local VFW has been doing its best to help raise funds for the soldier’s legal fees.

Parents entangled in such high profile child custody battles tend to get supports from many avenues, which may help their cause. But what is most important is to prepare a strong case. Parents may choose to consult with an experienced family law attorney in order to prepare their case, protect their rights and their children’s rights.

Source: KCTV5, “Overland Park father heads to Supreme Court in international custody battle,” Chris Oberholtz and Emily Rittman, Dec. 3, 2012

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