In a complex and emotionally charged case, Ari Gourvitz of Gourvitz & Gourvitz, LLC successfully represented a client in a legal battle for the return of their child under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The case began when the child’s mother wrongfully retained the child in New Jersey, prompting Gourvitz to file a complaint for the child’s return to their home country.

The mother responded by filing for custody in state court and initiating a domestic violence case, alleging abuse. However, after careful legal maneuvering, both the custody and domestic violence matters were dismissed, allowing the case to proceed in Federal Court under an expedited scheduling order.

What followed was an intense period of litigation, including depositions, discovery, and negotiation. Despite these challenges, Gourvitz demonstrated that the respondent had no viable affirmative defense. As a result, he successfully obtained a Voluntary Return Order for his client.

However, the child’s return to the petitioner was far from straightforward. Due to the significant influence the mother had over the child for more than a year, the reunification process took nearly six hours. Yet, through the dedication, persistence, and expert counseling of Gourvitz & Gourvitz, LLC, the child and the petitioner were finally reunited. They walked out of the court hand in hand, marking a poignant conclusion to a hard-fought battle for justice.

This case underscores the importance of experienced legal representation in international child abduction cases and highlights the firm’s commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for its clients, no matter how challenging the circumstances.