International Child Abduction Argentina

International child abduction occurs when a child is wrongfully removed from, or retained outside, his or her country of habitual residence without the consent of the other parent or in breach of custody rights.

Legal Assistance in Cross-Border Family Disputes

Wrongful Removal or Retention

Legal representation in cases where a child has been wrongfully removed to, or retained in, a country other than his or her habitual residence, including an immediate assessment of jurisdiction, legal strategy, and urgent protective measures. Visit our Hague cases page
Mother wanted red flag interpol: Take a look and help

Return Applications and Defenses

Representation in applications for the return of children under The Hague Convention, as well as in defenses opposing the return, particularly evidence, applicable exceptions, and the urgency that characterizes these proceedings.

Protective Measures and International Coordination

Legal advice on urgent protective measures, communication between jurisdictions, coordination with foreign attorneys, and the management of simultaneous proceedings involving custody, parental responsibility, and contact rights. 

Argentina Faces Systemic Delays in International Child Abduction Proceedings

Argentina continues to experience significant delays in international child abduction proceedings under The 1980 Hague Convention. These systemic delays have been repeatedly identified by the United States Department of State which has included Argentina in its annual reports on countries demonstrating patterns of noncompliance with their obligations under the Convention.
In practice, proceedings may take several years due to appeals, procedural incidents, and difficulties enforcing return orders, even after a final decision has been issued. For this reason, when there is a risk of wrongful retention, authorizing a child to travel to Argentina without first assessing the legal implications may have serious consequences.
If the other parent requests authorization to travel with the child, it is often advisable to raise the issue before the competent court before granting permission, clearly explain the specific risks of the case, and support the request with a well-prepared evidentiary strategy. Please visit our Expert Witness page.
An expert witness may prevent your child from travelling to Argentina and being wrongfully retained here. In our experience, when these risks are properly presented and supported by evidence, courts may refuse to authorize travel to Argentina in order to protect the child from the risk of wrongful retention.
Likewise, if the child is already in Argentina, time is critical: the earlier an effective legal strategy is developed, the greater the chances of achieving a successful outcome.The appropriate jurisdiction will depend on where the child lived before the removal or wrongful retention and on the circumstances of the case. Argentina has been identified as a country of concern regarding delays in international child abduction proceedings.

Strategic Advantages of The 1996 Hague Convention

The 1996 Hague Convention extends beyond child return proceedings. Its primary purpose is to determine international jurisdiction and facilitate the recognition and enforcement of child protection measures among Contracting States. In many situations, it may be more effective to obtain a decision in the child's State of habitual residence, such as France, Spain, Italy, or England and then seek its recognition and enforcement in Argentina.
This approach can save valuable time. When a foreign measure has been issued by a competent authority under The 1996 Hague Convention, the scope of review by Argentine courts is limited. Rather than re-litigating the merits of the case, the Argentine court generally recognizes and enforces the foreign decision, except in the limited circumstances provided for by the Convention.