Child Abduction / Hague Convention

Addressing International Child Abduction Issues In Lehigh Valley

If your child has been taken by the other parent to another country or brought to the United States from another country, you have legal options.

Understanding Your Rights As A Parent Under The Hague Convention

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a “treaty that governs the laws surrounding international parental abduction.”

The treaty’s goals are “securing the prompt return of children wrongfully removed” to another country and “ensuring that the rights of custody and of access under the laws” of one nation are respected by other countries.

This treaty is a valuable legal tool for parents seeking the return of a child under the age of 16 who have been unlawfully taken to another country.

The Process

If your child has been taken, a petition for the return of a child under the Hague Convention should be filed. There are other possible avenues to consider and weigh in determining how to proceed. Whether your child is taken out of the United States, or brought to the United States without parental consent, we can guide you through the process.

The petition is very document-intensive, and the process is complex. Obtaining the assistance of a lawyer knowledgeable in this area of law is vital to ensuring that proper procedures are followed so that your case receives the necessary attention it deserves in court.

A Depth Of Experience In Child Abduction Law Few Attorneys Can Match

Attorney Linda Shay Gardner has worked on approximately 300 international and interstate child abduction cases in almost 60 countries and has extensive understanding of the Hague Convention treaty and its application in the United States and other countries.

Governmental agencies and private organizations regularly rely on her focused knowledge on child abduction issues. She serves on numerous advisory committees and panels, and is regularly interviewed or cited in both print and electronic media on this topic. She has also been called to testify as an expert to educate the court on this novel area of the law.

Gardner Law Office also has expertise in working with countries that do not recognize the Hague Convention, where other remedies will need to be considered.

She will coordinate with law enforcement agencies and lawyers in the country where your child was taken in order to facilitate your child’s return.

She can help you.

Reach Out To Our Office Today: 610-866-9529

Linda Shay Gardner is nearly unrivaled in her experience helping parents reunite with children who have been unlawfully abducted by another parent.

If you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team as soon as possible.