# International custody issue revised **URL:** \ **Category:** Divorce and Separation Answers\ **Created:** [January 16, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/international-custody-issue-revised/2894 "2006-01-16T13:40:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dthrom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b3f665/32.png) [@dthrom](https://forum.rosen.com/u/dthrom)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2006, 1:40pm UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/international-custody-issue-revised/2894/1 "2006-01-16T13:40:36Z")
The first step would be obtaining a custody order, either by consent with your spouse, or by seeking custody and having a court determine what custody arrangement is in your children’s best interests. Once you obtain a custody order, prepare to give copies of such an order to the children’s school or daycare, the passport office, the s State Department, and the embassy in the country you suspect she would flee to. Be sure to also keep as much information such as your wife’s numbers for: driver’s license, passport, social security card, and bank accounts. A current photo is also important. Your best preventive steps in anticipation or the possibility of your wife leaving the country would be to address the concern with restrictions imposed within a custody order. Deborah M. Throm Rosen Law Firm 1829 E. Franklin Street, Bldg. 600 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919.265.0017 direct 919.321.0780 main voice [www.rosen.com](http://www.rosen.com) Email: [dthrom@rosen.com](mailto:dthrom@rosen.com) 4101 Lake Boone Trail Suite 500 Raleigh, NC 27607 919.256.1544 direct 919.787.6668 main voice 301 McCullough Drive Suite 510 Charlotte, NC 28262 704.644.2531 ext. 100 ---
**Author:** ![JohnnyW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@JohnnyW](https://forum.rosen.com/u/JohnnyW)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2005, 6:44am UTC](https://forum.rosen.com/t/international-custody-issue-revised/2894/2 "2005-12-14T06:44:41Z")
I apologize… My wife knows my passwords, etc. and so I was trying to disguise that a bit in case. I did a poor job since I mingled two countries. I am taking more risk but this should be clearer. I should also note in this that I have a great relationship with her parents so have hesitated to do anything formal. However, some people have said that’s a mistake because they will back her when push comes to shove even though they understand her emotional problems and frequent violent rages(the reason for a potential divorce). My wife and I are still trying to work things out. That said, she is from Venezuela and, in recent discussions about a potential divorce, she has said on two occasions that she would “take the kids away to Brazil.” Of our two sons, I am am the stepfather to a 7-year old (with no legal rights) and biological father to a 13-month old. As I say, we are trying to work through things, however, we have serious money problems. If I decide to proceed further I would like to have a consultation, however, are there any steps at all I can take to guarantee that she does not try to flee the country with my biological son? Also, what recourse would I have if she did? I am desperate for any limited information which you may be able to provide.