When a child is taken across a border
Urgent help when a child has been taken to or from Ukraine without your consent — Hague Convention return applications, access rights and court proceedings in Ukraine.
Travel to Ukraine
Not required in most cases
Typical timeline
Urgent — from 6 weeks
Format
Legal agreement signed remotely
Language
Updates in English
Overview
When the Hague Convention applies
The 1980 Hague Convention aims to return children quickly to the country where they habitually lived. Time matters: applications made within a year have the strongest position. The war adds specific questions that courts examine closely.
01
Your child was taken to Ukraine without your consent
02
Your child was taken from Ukraine to another country
03
The other parent will not return the child after a trip
04
You need regular contact with a child abroad
Your options
Routes to your child's return or contact
01
Negotiated return
Agreeing on the child's voluntary return or new living arrangements with the other parent.
From 2 weeks
01
Hague Convention return application
An application through the central authorities and court proceedings for the child's return.
Urgent — from 6 weeks
01
Access application
Securing regular contact with your child when return is not ordered.
Usually 2–4 months
How it works
How a return case moves forward
01
Consultation
We review your situation and confirm the right route.
01
Legal agreement
You sign remotely; we confirm the scope and fee in writing.
01
Urgent assessment
We assess the situation and the applicable convention within days.
01
Return application
We prepare the application with the central authorities.
01
Court proceedings
We represent you in the return proceedings in Ukraine.
What we need from you
What we need urgently
- Passport (copy)
- Child's birth certificate
- Custody decisions or agreements
- Evidence of the child's habitual residence
- Travel details and correspondence about the removal
Scans are enough to start. We tell you if any document needs an apostille or translation, and arrange it if you prefer.
Related services
Often handled together
International parental child abduction
Hague Convention return and access cases involving Ukraine.
Common-law relationships
Property and inheritance rights for partners who were not married.
Property division
Dividing apartments, land and businesses in Ukraine.
FAQ
What clients ask before filing
Not covered here? Ask an attorney directly during your consultation.
How does the war affect return cases involving Ukraine?
Can a court refuse to return a child?
How fast should I act?
Is Ukraine a party to the Hague Convention on child abduction?
What counts as international child abduction?
Let's put an end to the uncertainty.
Tell us about your matter. An experienced attorney will review it and lay out your options — clearly and in English. We always see the matter through to the end.
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Outcomes our clients felt from abroad
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