Pereira family lawyer international
Law Offices of SRIS, P.C. is a US law firm that assists clients in Pereira, Colombia, and throughout the coffee region with cross-border family law matters that involve US legal issues. The firm’s founder, Mr. Sris, is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. For the Colombian-law side of a family matter, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in the Colombian bar and is not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. All US-law aspects are handled by Mr. Sris and the firm. To discuss a family law question that crosses the US-Colombia border, call (888) 437-7747.
How a US family lawyer can help with international matters involving Pereira, Colombia
A US-licensed family lawyer can handle the US side of a cross-border family dispute—such as a divorce filed in a US state, a child custody proceeding under the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA), or the enforcement of a US support order—while a Colombian-licensed attorney addresses the Colombian-law aspects. Many families in Pereira have ties to the United States through dual citizenship, business interests, or relatives living in Virginia, Maryland, or other US states. When a family law issue involves both countries, the legal work must be divided by jurisdiction. A US attorney cannot practice Colombian law, and a Colombian attorney cannot practice US law. The firm’s model is built on that division: Mr. Sris and the US-admitted attorneys handle the US side, and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, handles the Colombian side.
For example, if a couple married in Pereira later separates and one spouse now lives in Virginia, the Virginia court may have jurisdiction over the divorce. The US attorney would file the divorce complaint in Virginia, address property division under Virginia’s equitable distribution statute (Va. Code § 20-107.3), and handle child custody under the PKPA and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA). Meanwhile, the Colombian Of Counsel would advise on the validity of the marriage under Colombian law, the effect of any Colombian prenuptial agreement, and the recognition of the US divorce decree in Colombia. The two attorneys collaborate but maintain strict jurisdictional separation.
Frequently asked questions about international family law for Pereira residents
What does a “Pereira family lawyer international” do?
A Pereira family lawyer international handles family law matters that involve both Colombia and another country, typically the United States. The lawyer does not practice both countries’ laws alone; instead, a US-licensed attorney manages the US side and a Colombian-licensed attorney manages the Colombian side. At Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., Mr. Sris (admitted in five US jurisdictions) leads the US work, and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel (admitted in the Colombian bar, not admitted in any US state bar), leads the Colombian work. This division ensures that each part of the case is handled by an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Can a US divorce decree be enforced in Colombia?
Yes, a US divorce decree can be recognized in Colombia through a process called exequatur, but the procedure is handled by a Colombian-licensed attorney. The US attorney prepares the certified decree and any required apostille or authentication, while the Colombian Of Counsel files the exequatur petition before the Colombian courts. The firm’s collaboration model means that Mr. Sris and the firm handle the US documentation, and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, handles the Colombian court proceeding. Because Colombia’s recognition rules depend on the specific facts of the case, a consultation with both the US and Colombian attorneys is necessary to evaluate the likelihood of recognition.
How is child custody decided when one parent lives in Pereira and the other in the United States?
Child custody in a cross-border case is determined by the court that has jurisdiction under the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act (PKPA) and the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA), if the child is in the United States. If the child is in Colombia, Colombian custody law applies. The firm’s US attorneys can represent a parent in a US custody proceeding, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, can advise on Colombian custody law and represent a parent in a Colombian proceeding. The two sides coordinate to ensure that orders from one country are presented to the other, but each attorney practices only in the jurisdiction where they are licensed.
What if my spouse took our child to Pereira without my consent?
If a child is wrongfully removed from the United States to Colombia, the left-behind parent may have remedies under the International Child Abduction Remedies Act (ICARA) and the PKPA, but the return of the child depends on Colombian law and any applicable treaty framework. The firm’s US attorneys can file an ICARA petition in a US federal court and work with the US Department of State. On the Colombian side, Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, can advise on Colombian custody and abduction law and represent the parent in Colombian proceedings. Because the legal landscape is complex, a prompt consultation with both the US and Colombian attorneys is critical.
Do I need a Colombian lawyer for a family matter that started in the US but involves property in Pereira?
Yes, if the family matter involves real estate or other assets located in Colombia, a Colombian-licensed attorney is necessary to address the Colombian property law aspects. The US attorney can handle the division of assets under the applicable US state’s equitable distribution or community property law, but the transfer of title, registration, and any Colombian tax consequences require a Colombian lawyer. At Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, handles the Colombian property side, while Mr. Sris and the firm handle the US side. The two attorneys work together to ensure that the overall settlement is enforceable in both countries.
How does the firm handle communication between the US and Colombian attorneys?
The US and Colombian attorneys communicate directly and share documents through secure channels, with the client’s consent. Mr. Sris and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, coordinate strategy and keep the client informed of developments in both jurisdictions. The client typically has a primary point of contact—usually the US attorney for US-side matters and the Colombian attorney for Colombian-side matters—but the two attorneys collaborate to avoid conflicting advice. All communications are subject to attorney-client privilege to the extent permitted by the laws of each jurisdiction.
What should I bring to a consultation about an international family law matter?
Bring any relevant court orders, marriage certificates, birth certificates, property deeds, and correspondence from the other party or from government agencies. If documents are in Spanish, the firm can arrange translation. The US attorney will review the US-law aspects, and Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, will review the Colombian-law aspects. Having complete documentation allows both attorneys to give a more accurate assessment of the case. To schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
Can the firm help with a prenuptial agreement that covers assets in both the US and Colombia?
Yes, the firm can assist with a cross-border prenuptial agreement by having a US attorney draft the US portion and a Colombian attorney draft the Colombian portion. The US attorney ensures the agreement complies with the laws of the relevant US state, while Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, ensures it complies with Colombian law. The two attorneys coordinate to make the agreement enforceable in both countries. Because prenuptial agreements are highly fact-specific, a joint consultation with both attorneys is recommended.
Is the firm’s location in Pereira open for in-person meetings?
The firm’s location in Pereira, Colombia, is available for consultations by appointment only. Clients can meet with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, at that location to discuss Colombian-law aspects of their case. US-law consultations with Mr. Sris are typically conducted by phone or video conference. To schedule an appointment at the Pereira location or a remote consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
How are fees structured for a cross-border family law matter?
Fees vary depending on the complexity of the case and the work required in each jurisdiction. The US attorney and the Colombian Of Counsel each charge for their own services, and the client receives separate engagement letters. The firm provides a clear fee estimate after an initial consultation. Because every cross-border family matter is unique, the firm does not quote flat fees without first reviewing the specific facts. To discuss fees and schedule a consultation, call (888) 437-7747.
About Mr. Sris and the Of Counsel network
Mr. Sris, founder of Law Offices of SRIS, P.C., is admitted to practice in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. He has handled family law matters for over two decades and leads the firm’s US-side work on cross-border cases. For Colombia-law matters, the firm works with Eric Duport Jaramillo, Of Counsel, who is admitted to practice law in the Colombian bar and is not admitted in any US state bar. Mr. Duport Jaramillo’s role is limited to Colombian-law matters in collaboration with the US-admitted attorneys of the firm. Mr. Sris and his Of Counsel bring extensive combined legal experience to international family law issues. To speak with Mr. Sris or to arrange a consultation with the Colombia Of Counsel, call (888) 437-7747.