International Child Custody Law in Japan Is Like 'A Black Hole'

American father Christopher Savoie, whose ex-wife took their two children to her home in Japan in violation of a Tennessee court order, told Today Show host Meredith Vieira he may never see his kids again until they're adults. Unlike most other countries, Japan explicitly ignores international treaties that uphold parental custody rights. In essence, international child custody law is a 'black hole.'

The Today segment was summarized at MSNBC's web site, highlighting the painful story of a father who has tried everything to get his kids back:

"It's a black hole. The children go in. They don't come out."

While Chicago family law attorneys are skilled at helping their clients gain custody of their children domestically, international child custody issues involve the laws of sovereign states. That means contradictory court decisions from vastly different parts of the world may leave custody issues unresolved.

Christopher Savoie's attorney has done just about everything he possibly can do. Besides Japan's unwillingness to recognize international child custody law, Japanese courts award custody to the mother in nearly 100 percent of the cases. Adding insult to injury, he added, "there is no enforceable visitation for another parent."

He went to Japan last September to regain custody but was apprehended by Japanese police before he was able to get his children to the U.S. consulate office. Not one child abducted by its mother and taken to Japan has been returned by the courts since Japan returned to self-governance after World War II.

International child custody disputes are always complicated but Japan is a special case, given its refusal to honor international law. But a seasoned Illinois family lawyer can help you assert your rights in this country and, in many cases, help petition foreign courts as well.

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