First, let’s kick one myth to the curb. It is not true that lawyers crave deeply contested divorce cases which drag on for years. If you manage to split up in a non-hostile manner, I certainly won’t try to complicate the situation.
But if your divorce should turn into a second Battle of Salamis – and we all know it’s your spouse’s fault -, then I will be by your side.
Second, please don’t feel bad about getting a divorce. Lifelong love might have been a valid concept when most people died at age 30. Now that we live three times as long, it’s unrealistic to expect that people won’t change. In fact, I propose to embrace that change, as well as the opportunities and the freedom that come with it.
International Family Law
I predominately deal with international family law. That means divorces between spouses with different nationalities or different countries of residence, as well as cross-border custody disputes and international child abductions. This area of the law also covers preparing international prenups, adoptions, paternity cases and the enforcement of foreign court orders.
I enjoy this kind of work, because it means that I always learn something new. Suddenly, I need to look up the family law of Kazakhstan to determine if it may be more favorable to my client than German law. Or find out how paternity can be established for a child born out of wedlock in Iran. Or be fascinated (and confused) by the different types of family law simultaneously in place in India.
All of this is important, because in international family law, you can often choose which court to address and which law to apply. You can even go to court in Germany, but choose to apply the divorce law of your home country. (I am not sure if the judges like me for mentioning that possibility.)
Immigration and Citizenship Law
In these international cases, it comes in handy that I also deal with immigration law and citizenship law.
Because it won’t help if you get the divorce that you wanted, but then discover that your residence permit was based on the marriage. You may be free from your ex-spouse, but you just gained a whole new set of problems.
That is why I always have the implications on immigration and citizenship law in mind, even when you only contact me for a family law issue. (Often, a first consultation with me lasts several hours, because it’s my job to think of all the problems you didn’t even know you had.)
Custody Law
Many lawyers hate child custody cases, deeming them too emotional.
I am the opposite. Because if I have to fight, I much rather fight about custody or access to a child than about money, houses or other boring stuff. When it comes to children, I know that I am fighting for the most important part of my clients’ lives.
Having said that, I am generally a proponent of maintaining shared custody even after a divorce. You may no longer be husband and wife, but you will always remain parents. You cannot undo that. Also, from my own experience as the child of divorced parents, I can tell you that children don’t mind a divorce that much, as long as they don’t get the feeling that it’s about them.
One of my specialties within custody law is – please don’t laugh – pet custody. Having worked with cats for five years, I seem to have a certain way with them. This does not extend to any other animals, though. Sorry!
International Child Abduction
The most dramatic aspect of international separations is child abduction. This happens when one parent thinks of the child as his or her property, gets on a plane with it, and moves (back) to another country, often without even informing the other parent.
Between most countries, these cases are governed by the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and you can request the immediate return of your child.
I have successfully litigated several such cases before German courts and ensured the return of the kidnapped children to their fathers in the United States and in the United Kingdom.
In one case, the court order was issued so promptly that the father couldn’t make it to Germany in time. So, I picked up the one-year old baby, and flew the boy to the United States myself.
That’s the kind of lawyer I am.
So, if you got any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me. After all, you don’t want your evil spouse to hire me first, do you?
Andreas Moser Rechtsanwalt 
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