Mediation in Hague Convention International Child Abduction Case – Does it Make Good Sense?
When a child is abducted by a non-custodial parent from their custodial parent, often little in the world makes sense. When the child is taken outside of the United States and is abducted by their non-custodial parent internationally, the situation can take on an even more confusing and terrifying flavor. Indeed, once a child is taken overseas and is abducted internationally, it can be extremely difficult to get the child back to their home country and back to their custodial parent. In fact, in some cases, it is impossible, and the child effectively and, unfortunately, goes missing.
When a child is abducted internationally from Chicago, there is no doubt that it is extremely important for parents to act immediately by, among other things, contacting law enforcement, airlines, and, of course, an experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyer. But once contact is made with the abducting parent, what are the options for negotiating the return of the child? Missing Children Europe recently highlighted one avenue for resolving international child abduction cases: mediation. But does mediation really make sense in an international child abduction case? Here is what Missing Children Europe has to say.
Benefits of Mediation in International Child Abduction Hague Convention Cases
According to Missing Children Europe, there are a number of potential benefits of mediation in international child abduction cases. Those benefits include:
- Confidential process: At the outset, mediation is a confidential process. This may encourage parents to be more open with each other in the process to get to a resolution. It may also provide a sense of power and “ownership” to the parents, as they are not at the mercy of a judge to make a decision over the outcome, but rather they can negotiate the resolution of the case;
- A Channel of Communication: Missing Children Europe explains that even if mediation fails, it can improve communication between parents on opposite sides of an international child abduction case;
- Cost: Mediation may be more cost-effective than going through the court process, and, as Missing Children Europe notes, the parents can discuss a broader range of issues, if desired;
- Hearing from the Child: In international family law Hague Convention mediations, children may have an important voice in the process. This may help the parents better understand the best outcome for the child.
Your Chicago International Family Law Hague Convention Case
Of course, mediation is not right for everyone in every case, and sometimes court intervention is necessary for the safe return of a child back to Chicago. If you are in the Chicago area and you need help with your international family law Hague Convention case, contact the experienced Chicago international family law Hague convention lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC. The experienced Chicago international family law Hague Convention lawyers at Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC, are here to help you navigate the complex international family laws and laws under the Hague Convention to get your child back to their home in Chicago. Contact Birnbaum Gelfman Sharma & Arnoux, LLC today and speak to a lawyer about your rights and options for the safe return of your child.
