One of the most difficult situations that can arise with regards to child custody issues involves scenarios where a non-custodial parent takes a child across international borders and prevents the custodial parent from regaining access to that child.  One of the relatively few countries that has not endorsed a 1980 Hague Convention treaty that deals with these situations is Japan, and estimates indicate that hundreds of American children are currently living there with non-custodial parents in violation of domestic court orders.

For some time, the international community has been applying pressure to the Japanese government to sign the treaty and to become the last of what is considered to be the 'G8' countries to begin to take part in the international cooperation that is currently in place with not only the rest of the G8, but also with 87 countries around the world.

In what everyone considers a positive step, the Japanese government has announced that it could put forth a bill in March that would allow Japan to join the other countries on this treaty.  If that occurs, non-custodial parents who are hiding with children in Japan could be subject to the same steps and remedies as those hiding in other countries, and thereby bring about the possibility that these children could be returned to their custodial parents in accordance with the court orders that were issued in the United States.

San Diego Child Custody Lawyers

Clearly, if this bill becomes law in Japan, it would open up an entirely new world of possibilities for parents whose children have been kidnapped and hidden in that country.  As of now, there is little if anything that can be done for parents who are suffering through this experience, and those in this position could take action as soon as the bill is passed.

If you are dealing with any type of child custody issue, whether it’s in the United States or abroad, you need to seek the help of San Diego child custody lawyers who have been fighting for fathers and husbands for many years.  Contact the Men's Legal Center today to schedule an initial consultation.