Transnational Issues in Family and Inheritance Law

Inheritance and family relationships that transcend national boundaries present complex legal problems that demand a comprehensive approach. This entails beginning with the identification of the applicable law that governs marital and inheritance relationships and culminating with the determination of the most appropriate jurisdiction for resolving family or inheritance disputes. Particularly challenging, though equally intricate, legal issues arise in parent-child relationships, particularly regarding cross-border enforcement of child support and international child abduction. In the current climate of unilateral economic measures, these legal relationships are undergoing significant transformations. They are shaped not only by rapidly changing legal regulations but also by foreign policy considerations that impact the enforceability of inheritance and family rights. Hence, this section will examine the legal problems typically encountered by lawyers when handling cross-border family and inheritance relations. It will also consider those issues that are pertinent in the present foreign policy landscape.