International Careers, Family and Children

A career that crosses borders brings family law questions to match.

A transfer abroad, a career spent in more than one country, or a family spread across borders all add another layer to family matters. Where you can divorce, which country’s courts decide arrangements for your children, and what happens to assets held abroad can all turn on the international details of your life.

We advise sportspeople on the international and children aspects of family law, and coordinate with lawyers overseas where your life reaches into another country. This page draws those issues together and links to our fuller guidance.

Where you can, and should, divorce

For an international career, one of the most important early questions is which country should deal with a divorce. The choice can significantly affect the financial outcome, and more than one country may have jurisdiction, based on where you are habitually resident and where you are domiciled.

This is a technical and time-sensitive area, and we cover it fully on our International Divorce and jurisdiction pages. For sportspeople, whose lives and assets often span countries, getting this right early is essential.

Children, contact and a demanding career

Arranging time with your children around training, travel and fixtures takes thought, and a demanding schedule should not mean losing out on a meaningful relationship with them. We help build arrangements that are realistic and workable around a sporting career.

Where a transfer or relocation is involved, particular care is needed, and both parents’ positions and, above all, the children’s welfare come into play.

Relocation and transfers abroad

A transfer to a club in another country, or a former partner wishing to move abroad with the children, raises significant questions. Moving a child to live in another country generally needs the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility, or the permission of the court.

We advise on relocation, both where you wish to move with your children and where you wish to maintain your relationship with children who may move away, and you can read more on our International Children Matters and children pages.

Joined-up, cross-border advice

International family matters rarely involve only one country’s law, or one type of adviser. We coordinate with family lawyers abroad, and with your agent, financial and tax advisers, so the advice from every quarter fits together.

Our aim is to give you a single, clear strategy across every country and issue involved, handled with the same discretion as everything else we do.

Frequently asked questions

I may transfer abroad. Where would I divorce?

It depends on your connections to each country, through habitual residence and domicile, and more than one country may be able to deal with your divorce. The choice can strongly affect the outcome, so it is worth taking advice early, ideally before any move. Our International Divorce pages cover this in detail.

Can I still see my children with my training and match schedule?

Yes. Arrangements can be built around the demands of a sporting career, so you keep a meaningful relationship with your children. We help design arrangements that are realistic and workable, always with your children’s welfare at the centre.

Can my ex move abroad with our children?

Not without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility, or the permission of the court. Moving a child to live in another country is treated seriously, and the court decides on the basis of the children’s welfare. We can advise whether you are seeking to move or to prevent a move.