Change of Child Raising Person after Divorce | ANT Lawyers

 When divorce, children raising issue is very important and is always considered by the parties. Typically, parents always want the best for their children. However, there are also cases that the person who is raising that child unable to provide comprehensive benefits for the child. Then the person who is not directly raise the child may request for caregiver to ensure human rights.

ANT Lawyers would advise to customers some of the content in the issue of stipulating caregiver and change of caregiver after divorce.

The nursing, take care, educating and parenting after divorce

After divorce, parents are still obliged to look after, take care, educating, parenting minors or adults who are disabled, lost their civil act capacity, inability to work and have no property to support themselves.

The person who is not directly raises children have to provide rearing support.

Husband and wife agree on the person who directly raise the children, the rights and obligations of each party after divorce to their children; if no agreement is reached, the Court decided to assign one party to directly raise children based on the interests of that children in all aspects; if the children is nine years old or older, the wishes of the children must be considered.

In principle, children under three years of age are directly raised by the mother, unless the parties agree otherwise.

Change the person who directly raises children after divorce

For the benefit of the children, at the request of one or both parties, the Court may decide to change the child directly raising people.

The change of child directly raising people after divorce is conducted in case the people who directly raise the child does not guarantee the rights of the child in all aspects. Moreover, if the child is nine years old or older, we have to take into consideration the aspirations of the child.

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How Divorce Procedures Involving Foreign Elements in Vietnam Are Regulated? | ANT Lawyers

 The procedure for divorce in Vietnam involving foreign elements is one of the complicated procedures. Therefore, when implementing this procedures, the parties need to pay attention to the related legal provisions to avoid problems when conducting the divorce procedure in Vietnam or involve family lawyers for assistance in preparing documents and filing petition, especially if there are potential dispute in custody or common assets, properties division.

Divorce involving foreign elements means termination of the husband and wife relation under a court’s legally effective judgment or decision, in which at least one partner is a foreigner or an overseas Vietnamese or in which partners are Vietnamese citizens but the bases for terminating that relation are governed by a foreign law, or that relation arises abroad or the property related to that relation is located abroad, according to the interpretation on “divorce” and “Marriage and family relation involving foreign elements” of Law on Marriage and family 2014.

The parties when implementing this procedure need to ensure that s/he has the right to request a divorce as prescribed in Article 51 of the Law on Marriage and family 2014. Specifically, the subject of the divorce procedure must be the wife or the husband, or the legal guardian of s/he in the case s/he lost the civil act capacity. The husband has no right to request a divorce when his wife is pregnant, gives birth or is nursing an under-12-month child.

The divorce between a Vietnamese citizen and a foreigner or between two foreigners permanently residing in Vietnam shall be settled at a competent Vietnamese agency. In case a partner being a Vietnamese citizen does not permanently reside in Vietnam at the time of request for divorce, the divorce shall be settled in accordance with the law of the country where the husband and wife permanently co-reside; if they do not have a place of permanent co-residence, the Vietnamese law shall apply.

The Court in Vietnam has the jurisdiction to settle the divorce request. More specifically, the People’s Court of province have the jurisdiction to settle the case in which involve parties or properties in foreign countries or which must be judicially entrusted to representative agencies of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam overseas or to foreign courts.

The Court will settle the case according to the procedure on code of civil in Vietnam. The time to settle the case will be based on the details of the case. The time limit for trial preparation is from 04 to 06 months from the date the Court accepts the case. The time to set up the court is from 01 to 02 months from the date on which the decision to bring the case to trial is issued. The marriage relationship will terminate from the date the Court has the valid divorce decision.

Besides, the dossier on divorce involving foreign elements including the documents related to marriage relationship, the identification and the documents related to the property, children according to the regulations on Law on Marriage and family 2014 and Code of Civil procedure 2015. In detail, the dossier includes the petition for divorce, the copy of Identification or other personal documents (Passport, Identification card); the copy of Household book, the original of Marriage certificate, in case the parties lost the original of Marriage certificate, the parties could provide the copy of Marriage certificate with the confirmation of competent authority and need to show this information in the petition for divorce, the copy of the birth certificate of the child/children (if having the common child/children); the copies of the documents on the ownership of the property (if increasing the dispute).

In addition, when submitting the dossier on requiring to settle the divorce case: (i) if the parties got married in Vietnam, then the spouse exits abroad (and s/he could not find the address of the spouse), s/he needs to have the confirmation of the competent authority that the spouse existed; (ii) if the parties got married under foreign law wish to divorce in Vietnam, they need to implement the procedure on legalization the Marriage certificate, other related documents, and note in the register book of Department of Justice, then submit the divorce petition. In the case the parties did not implement the procedure on note in the register book but they still wish to divorce in Vietnam, they need to show the reason why they did not make the marriage note.

The person whom submit the divorce petition will submit the dossier to the People’s Court of Province where one of the parties are residing in Vietnam. The Court will check the dossier, if valid, the Court will issue the notification on paying the court fee. After the court fee is paid, the Court will accept the divorce case and issue the notification on acceptance the case to Procuracy, and defendant (the involved parties). Many Courts in Vietnam require the parties to implement the reconciliation step.

It is suggested to involve dispute lawyers if the case of divorce would turns out to be complicated when there are disputes on custody and assets or property division.

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Guidance on Unilateral Divorce Procedure | ANT Lawyers

Divorce is the termination of husband and wife relationship according to the court’s legally effective judgment or decision. Divorce procedures are prescribed in the Civil Procedure Code, Law on Marriage and Family, Law on Mediation at grassroots… There are two forms of divorce in Vietnam: divorce at the request of one party (unilateral divorce) and divorce by mutual consent.

For divorce at the request of one party, the Court shall handle divorce at the request of spouse if it has grounds to believe that a spouse commits domestic violence or seriously infringes upon the rights and obligations of the husband or wife, which seriously deteriorates the marriage and makes their common life no longer impossible and the marriage purposes unachievable. The goals of a marriage that are not achieved include unequal obligations and rights between husband and wife; no husband and wife friendship; husband and wife do not respect each other’s honor, dignity and reputation; do not respect the right to freedom of belief and each other; do not help, and facilitate each other to develop in all aspects. In addition, a husband has no right to request a divorce when his wife is pregnant, gives birth or is nursing an under-12-month child. This provision limits the husband’s right to request a divorce when the wife is pregnant or is raising children under 12 months of age and if the wife requests divorce, whether she is pregnant or raising children under 12 months of age, the court the court still accepts and resolves like other normal cases.

Documents to file divorce petition?

Documents required for unilateral divorce include: Unilateral divorce application form; Marriage certificate (original copy); Identity card of husband and wife (certified copy); Child’s birth certificate (if there are common children, certified copy); Household registration book (certified copy); Documents proving ownership of common property (if there is common property, certified copy).

In order to proceed with a unilateral divorce, the petitioner needs to file a lawsuit for divorce at the competent court. The Court where the defendant resides and works is competent court to settle according to the first-instance procedure disputes about marriage and family. Therefore, in the case of unilateral divorce, the Court where the competent jurisdiction is located is the place where the defendant resides and works. In case of foreigners being husband or wife, the provincial/municipal courts are competent courts to settle.

What is procedure of divorce petition?

Before accepting the divorce petition, the State and society encourage the mediation at the grassroots level when the husband and wife request the divorce with petition. Mediation is conducted in accordance with the Mediation at grassroots.

After receiving the unilateral divorce petition, the Chief Justice of the Court assigns the Judge to examine the application and relevant papers. In case of necessity, the plaintiff shall notify the applicant of additional papers and necessary information. If the dossier is complete and eligible to accept the case, the Court shall notify the plaintiff of the advance payment of court fees at the Civil Judgment Execution Bureau within 7 days and return it to the Court a receipt of court fee advances. The judge proceeds to accept the case upon receiving the receipt of payment of court fee advances and shall notify the plaintiff, the defendant and the persons with relevant rights and obligations regarding the acceptance of the case within 03 days. The defendant and the persons with relevant rights and obligations within 15 days from the date of receipt of the notice of acceptance have the right to make counter-claims to the plaintiffs’ requests.

After the petition has been accepted, the Court shall conduct conciliation according to the law on civil procedures. The judge assigned to solve the case conducts a meeting to check the handover, access, disclosure of evidence and mediation of divorce between the involved parties and analyze clearly the rights and obligations for the involved parties to reach an agreement on the resolution of the case. In case after mediation the husband and wife reunite, it is considered the plaintiff withdraws the petition, and the Court issues a decision to suspend their request. If they cannot reunite but reach an agreement on the divorce, property division and children custody, after 7 days from the date the Court makes the minutes of the mediation to the parties without changing their mind. The Court shall recognize the divorce agreement and issue a decision recognizing the agreement of the parties. In case of unsuccessful mediation, the Court shall issue a decision to bring the case to trial if it is not in the case of suspension of settlement as prescribed.

How court trial is opened for divorce petition case?

Within 01 month from the day on which the decision to bring the case to trial is issued, the Court must open a trial. In case of good reason, this time limit may be extended but for no more than 2 months. At the end of the trial, the result of unilateral divorce resolution will be decided by the civil judgment. In case of unilateral divorce, the settlement time may be longer, maybe from 04 to 06 months. In fact, due to possible child custody and property disputes, the time to resolve may be longer.

For cases with disputes over assets, apart from the court fee of VND 300,000, the involved parties must also bear court costs for the disputed properties, determined according to the value of the disputed properties according to the provisions.

It is important that the parties need to research and prepare for relevant documents and procedures in their case and consult with lawyers in civil, family and property division, child custody disputes in Vietnam before taking action.

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How To Determine The Child Custody in a Divorce? | ANT Lawyers

Upon divorce, in addition to dispute over property division, child custody dispute is also popular. How to determine the child custody in a divorce depends on many factors and the parties are suggested to consult with dispute lawyers in Vietnam in civil matters. The following does not try to give legal advice but a brief opinions on the matters of concern for reference.

According to Vietnamese law, after a divorce, parents still have rights and obligations of looking after, caring for, raising and educating minor children or adult children losing their legal capacity or having no working capacity and no property to support themselves. The law always prioritizes agreement right of both parties. Accordingly, husband and wife shall reach agreement on the person who directly raises their children and on his and her obligations and rights toward their children after divorce. If they fail to reach agreement, the Court shall appoint one party to directly raise the children, based on the children’s benefits in all aspects. If a child is full 7 years or older, his/ her desire shall be considered. In addition, a under-36-months child shall be directly raised by the mother, unless the mother can not afford to directly look after, care for, raise and educate the child or otherwise agreed by the parents in accordance with the interests of the child.

In reality, opinion of the children is only regarded as orientation and reference for the Court to consider making decision, not as completely decisive meaning. The Court shall base on interests of the children to appoint one party to directly raise him/her, according to: living, current education of the children, occupation of the direct caretaker, accommodation condition after divorce, income, child care time… and some other elements of each party. Accordingly, the person being entitled to directly raise the children must prove themselves to provide the most favorable environment for normal development requirements of the children and have enough conditions for ensuring both economy and mental health. The person being entitled to directly raise the children must prove themselves to have enough material conditions (stable income, property, and accommodation…), mental condition (having enough time to be with the children, care for, raise them, always put the children at the forefront…) to make the children have more stable life and more developed than living with the other party. In addition, one of the parties can provide additional evidence to prove that the other party does not have enough material conditions and mental condition to raise the children or often has behaviors of violence, unstable income…

In case of request of a parent or individual, organization being entitled to request (Next of kin; The state management agency in charge of families; The state management agency in charge of children; The women’s union), the Court may decide to change the person directly raising a child. The change of the person directly raising a child shall be settled if there is one of the following grounds: (i) The parents agrees on change of the person directly raising a child in the interests of this child; (ii) The direct caretaker no longer has sufficient conditions to directly look after, care for, raise and educate the child. Like divorce settlement, desire of full-7-years or older child shall be considered in case of changing the person directly raising a child. Seeing that both parents fail to have sufficient conditions to directly raise a child, the Court shall decide to assign this child to a guardian.

Obligations and rights of indirect caretaker after divorce: (i) Respect the child’s right to live with the direct caretaker; (ii) Support this child; (iii) Visit and care for this child without being obstructed by any person after divorce. Direct caretaker is entitled to require the Court to restrict the right of the indirect caretaker if the latter takes advantage of his/her visit to and care for the child to prevent or adversely affect the looking after, care for, raising and education of this child.

In accordance with obligations and rights of indirect caretaker, direct caretaker also has obligations and rights toward indirect caretaker after divorce: (i) require the indirect caretaker to fulfill the obligations; (ii) require this person and family members to respect his/her right of raising the child; (iii) The direct caretaker and family members shall not prevent indirect caretaker from visiting, caring for, raising and educating this child.

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Marriage and Divorce in Vietnam | ANT Lawyers

Vietnam family laws covers all legal matters concerning marriages and divorces, including marriage registration procedures, and divorce procedures, matters concerning separate or joint ownership assets and property, child custody, child support, and dispute on related matters.

Vietnam marriage laws have developed during the past 40 years and are still connected with changes in the thinking of the Vietnamese society and are thereby not exempt from future amendments that might appear simultaneously with the changes in Vietnam’s fast emerging society. The legal fundamental basis for marriages in Vietnam is the Marriage and Family Law. Some of the main points that are included in this law’s mission are for contributing to build and protect the marriage and family regime as well as to protect legitimate rights and interests of family members. The essential legal provisions of the Vietnam marriage law requires and determines: a required marital age for male is at least 20 years and female 18 years; marriages must be voluntary, progressive, monogamous marriages in which husband and wife are equal; marriages between partners of different nationalities, religions etc. are respected and legally protected but marriages between married people, people without civil act capacity, between the same direct blood line or within three generations, between (former) adoptive parents and children or parents- and children-in-law and stepparents and stepchildren, are forbidden. Although the marriage between persons of the same sex is not forbidden any more but the State shall not recognize it.

Furthermore, marriage or remarriages must be registered with the competent State bodies (registration offices) where either of the marriage partners resides. Vietnamese citizens living abroad shall refer to overseas Vietnamese diplomatic missions or consulates for services. Unless otherwise provided by law, the provisions of the Marriage and Family law also are also applicable for foreigners involved in Vietnamese marriages. In case a treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party contains provisions different from those of this Law, the provisions of such treaty prevail.

The registration procedures might differ in some points for foreigners because of the documents required from their home countries. Papers issued, granted or certified by competent foreign agencies for use in the settlement of cases and matters of marriage and family shall be notarized, legalized, except cases eligible for exemption from consular legalization under treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a contracting party or on the principle of reciprocity. Foreigners must demonstrate that they are eligible for marriage in compliance with the law of their home countries. According to the Vietnam Marriage and Family law, foreigners enjoy the same rights and obligations like Vietnamese and Vietnam provides protection for the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese living abroad in marriage and family relations in accordance with the law. In the case of a marriage between a foreigner and a Vietnamese, each one must abide by the legislation of his/her country on the marriage conditions. The law also bans marriages whereby foreigners take advantages related to human trafficking, sexually abuse against women.

The law on marriage and family has brought a positive change to the role of the family in Vietnamese society and the traditional values ​​of marriage and family. These legal provisions have contributed to the protection and perfection of a progressive marriage and family regime by creating legal standards that keep pace with the times but also respect long-standing traditional values ​​of Vietnam. However, Vietnam still lacks complex mechanisms to deal with all those involved and another problem is that some clauses are overlapping and are not clear enough to address outstanding issues such as: cohabitation system such as husband and wife, separated or surrogacy. Prenuptial agreements, premarital agreements or similar marriage contracts are not recognized in Vietnam. However, agreements on joint assets, or division of assets during marriage are recognized but certain procedures have to be followed.

Lawyers at ANT Lawyers have experience with registration of marriage, divorce procedures or dispute matters of assets, properties in Vietnam.

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Marriage and Family | ANT Lawyers

 Marriage and family matters are of importance to each individual.  Decision on such will impact their life for a long period of time.  Marriage and family lawyers could help clients make right decisions and provide services required.  At ANT Lawyers, a law firm in Vietnam with offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, we assist clients on:

• Consulting the general provisions of the Law on Marriage and Family in Vietnam;
• Reviewing and drafting prenuptial agreement;
• Advising on marriage with foreigners;
• Advising on divorce involving foreigners;
• Consulting on division of property, children in divorce;
• Consulting on lawsuit to protect interests;
• Lawyers representing and protecting the clients at competent authorities;
• Consulting on child adoption procedures.

 

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