The Law Offices of Edward Harrington Heyburn, PC

David Goldman won an international custody battle that began 5 years ago when his wife took their son to Brazil. Mrs. Goldman established residency and divorced David Goldman and then remarried in Brazil. The controversy peaked when the former Mrs. Golman died during child birth. Her new husband, Silva continued the custody battle for Sean Goldman and thwarted the fathers efforts to bring his son back to the United States. Finally, on December 23, 2009 a judge from Brazil’s highest court ruled in Mr. Goldman’s favor and permitted him to take Sean back to the United States.

While the facts of the Goldman’s case are unusual, they highlight the fears of separated parents involved in custody battles. If you are involved in a custody battle and fear that your spouse may flee the jurisdiction, you should demand that they surrender their passport to the court.