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Gevurtz Menashe

PDX 503.227.1515
WA 360.823.0410

Since 1982.

International & Interstate Child Custody

If your child custody case has components outside of the Oregon or Washington borders, Gevurtz Menashe may be able to help!

Our Help Knows No Boundaries

Dealing with family and life changes is tough enough. Add distance and multi-jurisdictional considerations into the mix, though, and it can be next-level overwhelming. This is especially true when children are involved.

With your kids’ welfare on the line, you need to approach any custody agreement with care. Things like schooling, residency, visitation, and healthcare need to be sorted out in ways that accommodate the constraints and opportunities of living in different states or countries.

That’s why having an experienced and knowledgeable legal team on your side is crucial.
When you need an international or interstate child custody lawyer to fight for your and your child’s rights, Gevurtz Menashe is ready to apply our full expertise — more than 40 years’ worth — to your case.

 

Schedule a Consultation

Helping You Resolve Child Custody Issues with Ease

At Gevurtz Menashe, we offer you a complete range of international and interstate child custody services. These may include:

Child Custody & Support

  • Divorce or separation involving parents who live in different states or countries
  • Relocation of a parent with a child across state or national borders
  • Cases involving interstate or international child abduction

Dispute Resolution & Modifications

  • Conflict between parents over custody and visitation rights across state or national lines
  • Disagreements over the interpretation or enforcement of existing custody agreements or court orders
  • Modifying existing arrangements for custody or support due to changing circumstances, such as relocation

Tax & Estate Planning

  • Planning for instances of incapacity or death
  • Adjusting plans to account for changes of residency or citizenship

Our Process

While the end-to-end process can be quite complex, we try to make it as straightforward and simple as possible. Here’s a very brief sketch of what you might expect when you work with us:

Step 1. Consultation

You’ll schedule an appointment with one of our family law attorneys. During your meeting, you can ask questions and get an idea of what to expect if you have us take on your case.

Step 2. Engagement

Once you’ve hired us, we quickly get to work. Depending on the situation, this could involve gathering information, preparing documents, etc.

Step 3. Filing, Hearing & Judgement

As needed, we’ll submit any needed paperwork and represent you in any court appearances. When the judgment is handed down, we’ll make sure you understand the details.

Step 4. Follow On

If any additional action is required, we’ll help you with this, too. This could include making arrangements for assuming custody of your child, filing for an appeal, petitioning for a modification, and so on.

Choose an Attorney with Specific Knowledge and Experience in Complex Child Custody Matters

Here are just some of the many reasons why clients pick Gevurtz Menashe to handle their international and interstate child custody cases.

The Expertise & Results You Want

You can count on our track record of success in cases such as yours. Our decades of experience litigating family law and amassing knowledge are invaluable assets.

The Holistic Approach You Need

Our meticulous methodology and attention to detail are your advantages. They ensure that the process is made more manageable and outcomes are better.

The Service & Support You Deserve

Your journey with us is a poignant one. Our empathetic team will be there for you from the beginning, understanding your burdens and providing assistance as needed.

Attorneys

  • Jessica Flint Jessica Flint Of Counsel
    Jessica Flint

    Jessica Flint

    Of Counsel
    Jessica brings compassionate and practical advocacy to help resolve her clients' complicated legal problems. She enjoys assisting them through each step of the process. Working to determine their goals and needs, she uses tenacity to achieve optimal results. Her experience in international and domestic family law includes international child abduction, relocation, and domestic violence. Jessica received a Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark Law School, where she was lead article editor for the Lewis & Clark Law Review. She received a Bachelor of Science magna cum laude from Willamette University in 2007 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

    When Jessica is not practicing law, she loves traveling internationally and freelance photography. She has visited 25 countries so far. If she was not a lawyer, she would be an international photographer. She also enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her puggles.
     
  • Kathryn Root Kathryn Root Retired
    Kathryn Root

    Kathryn Root

    Retired
    Kathy is a leading authority on interstate and international custody disputes and provides legal advice and representation in cases involving international family law issues. A powerful litigator and tireless advocate for the interests of families and children, she has a special interest in contested child custody and parenting time disputes. Kathy has substantial experience representing clients in divorce and legal separation cases, including those involving child custody, child and spousal support, and complex property division issues. Kathy has a strong commitment to helping clients through turbulent times by providing reliable legal information and advice focused on each client's needs and desire to find a better future. She has focused her practice on family law for 37 years. A member of the Oregon State Bar Family Law Section, she served for three years on its Executive Committee. She previously served as Chair of the Oregon State Bar's Procedure And Practice Committee and is a former President of the Oregon Academy Of Family Law Practitioners. Kathy is the former Chair of the International Law Committee of the American Bar Association's Family Law Section. Kathy is a past Board member of Oregon Women Lawyers and Oregon Women Lawyers Foundation and is a current member of the Foundation's Advisory Board. 

    When she's not working, you will often find Kathy on a golf course. She loves the challenge of discovering the nuances of each course she plays.
Meet our entire team!

Our Locations

Portland

Vancouver

Our Clients Say It Best

“As an attorney/mediator in private practice in Portland, Oregon for over 20 years, I have facilitated numerous family law mediations with attorneys from the Gevurtz Menashe firm and their clients. I can always count on the Gevurtz Menashe attorneys to be well-prepared, professional and strong advocates for their clients in the settlement process. To a one, the attorneys bring strong skills, common sense and the desire to do the best for their clients, not only in litigation but in negotiations that lead to appropriate settlements and avoid unnecessary litigation and the costs of trial.”

-Ingrid Slezak
 

FAQ

  • Do you have the right to move to another state or country with your child?

    Do you have the right to move to another state or country with your child?

    Generally speaking, a parent is not authorized to move with a child to another state or foreign country without first receiving written consent from the other parent.  At a minimum, the legal custodial parent must give advance notice to the noncustodial parent of the custodial parent’s desire to move with the child and ask whether the noncustodial parent has an objection to the proposed move.  If there is an objection, the parents need to attempt to resolve the issue either between themselves or with the assistance of a mediator or attorneys before any move takes place.  Our experienced lawyers are able to help you understand the legal implications of moving to another state or foreign country with your child and will help to create a strategy for securing a long-distance move.

  • What is the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction?

    What is the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction?

    ​​It is a treaty between various countries which seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of abduction from one country to another country and which establishes a legal remedy which a left-behind parent may pursue to secure the return of a child who is wrongfully removed to or retained in another country where the treaty is also in force. 

  • Do you need a lawyer for interstate or international child custody cases?

    Do you need a lawyer for interstate or international child custody cases?

    If your case involves interstate or international child custody issues, it is very important to seek legal advice and representation from a lawyer who has experience handling such a case as these cases are extremely complicated.  Our experienced lawyers will guide you through each issue which is presented and make sure your rights are fully protected.  

  • What happens if there is a dispute over jurisdiction in interstate or international child custody cases?

    What happens if there is a dispute over jurisdiction in interstate or international child custody cases?

    If there is a dispute about jurisdiction, that dispute will need to be resolved before other issues in the case can move forward.  Jurisdiction issues are often complicated and may require the involvement of a lawyer from the other state or country.  Our experienced lawyers will be able to identify and work with a well-qualified lawyer in another state or country if that is needed in order to resolve the disputed issues regarding child custody jurisdiction.    

Talk to a Lawyer

For three decades, Gevurtz Menashe family law team has been helping clients navigate matters related to custody and guardianship. We also provide the expert estate planning services child guardians may need. To learn more or start taking action, contact us at our Portland (503-227-1515) or Vancouver (360-823-0410) office to schedule a consultation.