Strategy & Consulting
for International Clients

& their Family Lawyers

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Planning for Future Family Law Issues Before an International Relocation

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Dispute Resolution for International Families

MKFL ALSO HELPS WITH

Expert Opinions on Unique Legal Issues Experienced by International Families

Family Law Across Borders Blog

Type a search term & press Enter to search the updated summaries of cases MKFL is watching.

Solving International
Family Law Disputes

MKFL helps clients across the globe, and their family lawyers, navigate and understand the complex maze of laws that impact them when they have some connection to another country.

MKFL works alongside local legal teams to design a comprehensive, uniquely-tailored plan, to solve cross-border family disputes for strategic clients who have a connection to the United States.

With its vast worldwide network, MKFL can help you create an international family law strategy.

MKFL Can Help You With…

  • Strategic Case Consulting

    MKFL works with your legal team to provide strategic advice and support on the complex international law issues you are facing in your family law dispute. Not only will you structure a tailor-made plan for your family law case, but MKFL can support your team in litigation and appeals.

    Create a Case Plan

  • Pre-Relocation Consultation

    If you are thinking of moving overseas with your family, MKFL offers flat-fee consultations to provide information you should consider in case your relationship breaks down, you want to return home, or you need to seek family law advice in the future.

    Know Before You Go

  • Neutral Intervention

    MKFL can serve as a neutral to help you resolve your international family law dispute economically and comprehensively. Melissa is a skilled mediator who works with international families across the globe, tailoring their dispute resolution process to meet the needs and sensitivities of any case.

    Resolve your Dispute

  • Expert Legal Opinions

    MKFL provides expert legal opinions, in writing and through oral testimony, to educate a court about the unique impact of international and jurisdictional laws and processes in your family's situation.

    Learn & Add Expertise

Cases To Watch on the Family Law Across Borders Blog

MKFL watches important international cases & summarizes their updates here on its blog for your convenience.

Blog Family Law Across Borders
Case Update (6 March 2024): Bhardwaj v. Sud; Minnesota Court of Appeals remands for further proceedings after Father submits additional information on abduction concerns
Read More →
Case Update (31 March 2024): Gross v. Gross; Mature Child Objected to Returning to England; Judge conducts in-camera interview
Read More →
Case Update (26 March 2024): In re JSN; a Father’s wrongful retention of a child in India did not establish India as the child’s home state
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Case Update (21 March 2024): Samaan v. Samaan; provisions in a voluntary return order in a Hague Abduction Convention matter
Read More →
Case Update (25 March 2024): Rodriguez v. Molina; the trial court did not commit clear error in finding past physical punishment was not a grave risk
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Case Update (15 March 2024): Mihigo v. Mihigo; New York applies lex loci celebrationis to recognize DRC marriage
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Case Update (7 March 2024): Horacius v. Richard; child who had lived in Florida most of his life is ordered returned to Canada
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HCCH Update (11 March 2024): CGAP Conclusions and Decisions Posted
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Case Update (4 March 2024): Alameda Dept Child Support v. TO; China is not a “foreign country” for purposes of enforcing its child support order
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Case Update (28 February 2024): da Costa v. de Lima; First Circuit affirms that child is now settled and evidence was properly considered
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Case Update (22 February 2024): Pereira v. Gunter; Mother’s removal of children from Brazil by court order is not wrongful
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Case Update (23 February 2024): Saydlin v. Ashby; Voluntary Return Order and Subject Matter Jurisdiction to Enforce its Terms
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Case Update (15 February 2024): CDVD v. BKT; trial judge did not abuse discretion in denying Mother’s request to relocate child to Portugal
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Case Update (16 February 2024): Yiting Wu v. Chun-Hsien Wu; Mother’s ongoing retention of child in Taiwan did not create situation that made Taiwan a more convenient forum for resolving custody
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Case Update (13 February 2024): Carmona v. Moreno; Child Ordered Returned to Mexico in a Robust Court Order
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Case Update (31 Jan 2024): Humaid v. Garland; doctrine of consular nonreviewability divested the federal court of jurisdiction in this visa dispute
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Case Update (9 Feb 2024): Delgado v. Marquez; Court gave Petitioner opportunity to propose ameliorative measures, but concluded that the proposed measures were insufficient
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Case Update (7 February 2024): Gregory v. Gregory; Belarus was the child’s home state, and Indiana was correct to decline jurisdiction in custody suit
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Case Update (31 Jan 2024): Kemp v. Centeno; a child’s temporary absence from their home state is based on a totality of the circumstances in Nevada
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Case Update (29 January 2024): Harvey v. Means; grave risk of harm not established by clear and convincing evidence
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Case Update (24 Jan 2024): Saada v. Golan; Petitioner Father’s request to return BAS to Italy denied based on grave risk
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Case Update (22 Jan 2024): Garcia v. Rosales; trial court’s failure to make findings on attorney fees in Abduction Convention case constituted an abuse of discretion
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Case Update (4 Sept 2023): Córdoba v. Paraguay; lack of diligence in abduction case breaches the Inter-American human rights framework
Read More →
Case Update (8 January 2024): Tereshchenko v. Karimi; two children, removed from Ukraine, are returned to father in France
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Case Update (4 Jan 2024): Teixeira v. Teixeira; divorce dismissed on forum non conveniens grounds
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Case Update (4 Jan 2024): In re. Marriage Morales & Meixueiro; custody decree that is silent on patria postestas is not a waiver of those rights of custody
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Case Update (5 Dec 2023): Salkhi v. Behroyan; anti-suit injunction was appropriate to prevent litigant from pursuing foreign divorce
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Case Update (13 Dec 2023): Baz v. Patterson; parents’ agreement to fix child’s habitual residence in USA is only one factor in a habitual residence analysis
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Case Update (8 Dec 2023): Livingstone v. Livingstone; Petitioner failed to meet his burden to prove custody rights under Australian law
Read More →
Case Update (4 Dec 2023): Bre v. Aguirre; Child who lived about 2 years in US and 5 years in Argentina was habitually resident in the US
Read More →

What Other Lawyers Say

  • Jennifer Riemer

    Melissa is brilliant and an incredible asset if your case involves international issues.

    – Wasser, Cooperman & Mandles

  • Lindsay Mason

    Melissa is a steadfast warrior whose depth of knowledge may only be outmatched by her compassion. I highly recommend her services.

    – Lee & Rivers

  • Brian Karpf

    ★★★★★
    Melissa is my go-to for International Law and Hague Convention issues. Her experience and reputation are top-notch. Five Stars.

    – Young, Berman, Karpf & Karpf

  • Rebekah Sullivan

    I have consulted with Attorney Kucinski as an expert in international family law on several matters. She is extremely knowledgeable in the law and procedures and her advice has been invaluable. I have also worked with Attorney Kucinski as a neutral mediator, and I have found her to be exceptionally skilled. She is thoughtful and professional.

    – District Family Law

  • Peter Stambleck

    Melissa is top-notch. Her work ethic is 2nd to none and she is fully versed on all aspects of her profession.

    – Mosberg Sharma Stambleck Gross

portrait of Melissa Kucinski, U.S.-based international family lawyer

Melissa Kucinski

I work with families who have some connection to another country and are going through a breakdown in their relationship with a partner, spouse, co-parent, or other family member, to create a legal plan for resolving their dispute.

Melissa Kucinski is a U.S.-based international lawyer who has spent her career working in the field of family law.

“The legal problems that my clients have are some of the most complicated, and they require expert advice beyond what is typically provided by their family lawyer.

I help both the client and their family lawyer sort through the maze of international treaties, jurisdictional rules, and legal processes to create a plan for their case, to minimize unnecessary litigation, to save costs and time, and to achieve a solution that moves the family forward.

I have spent my entire career building a network of resources, experts, and professionals, to help solve these problems.”