Brazilian Lawyer – Dr. Ejchel

International family law and divorce

Family disputes with connections to more than one country often combine issues of jurisdiction, parental responsibility, financial obligations and the effectiveness of existing orders. A Brazilian proceeding may concern a different question from a case already under way overseas, even when both arise from the same separation.

The assessment therefore considers the parties’ residence, the child’s circumstances, the location of assets, the relief sought and any prior decisions or agreements. Divorce, property division, spousal support, child maintenance, custody and contact require an analysis of their respective legal foundations. An agreement must also be examined for the formalities and implementation measures needed in each relevant country.

Negotiation can form part of that work where the circumstances permit a meaningful agreement. Contentious representation requires a clear account of the disputed facts, the available evidence and any protective or interim measures that may need judicial consideration.

Hague Convention child abduction and relocation

A request for return under the 1980 Hague Convention addresses an alleged wrongful removal or retention across borders. The Convention distinguishes that process from a determination of custody on the merits. Its application requires consideration of the child’s habitual residence, custody rights, the relevant dates, the Convention relationship between the states concerned and the circumstances raised by the parties.

International relocation presents a separate planning problem: proposed arrangements must be examined against parental responsibility, consent requirements and existing orders before a move takes place. A passport, nationality or travel document alone does not resolve those questions.

The office’s published materials include My Child Has Been Abducted to Brazil, Child Not Returned from Brazil and Child Custody in Brazil. The official text of the 1980 Hague Convention provides the treaty framework, including the distinction in Article 19 between return proceedings and custody adjudication.

Parentage, international adoption and assisted reproduction

Questions involving international adoption, parentage or a foreign surrogacy arrangement require an initial review of the legal relationship established abroad and the measures sought in Brazil. Birth records, parental status, judicial orders, consent documents and the child’s nationality and residence may engage different authorities and procedures.

The appropriate route must be identified before assuming that a foreign document or arrangement will produce the intended effects in Brazil. These matters require attention to applicable safeguards, public policy, formal requirements and any need for advice from counsel qualified in the other jurisdiction. The scope of an engagement depends on that preliminary assessment.

Cross-border litigation and foreign decisions

International litigation requires more than selecting a court. Service abroad, evidence held in another country, translations, the treatment of foreign law and the recognition or enforcement of a decision can affect the conduct and practical value of a claim.

Brazilian representation and foreign representation must be coordinated according to the authority of each court and the professional rules governing counsel. A Brazilian bar registration does not itself authorise appearances before courts in another country. Where foreign proceedings are necessary, locally qualified counsel may need a separate engagement.

The Brazilian Code of Civil Procedure addresses international jurisdiction, legal cooperation and recognition of foreign decisions. The office’s article on letters rogatory and foreign procedural acts in Brazil explains the relevant distinctions and supporting documentation.

International contracts and business matters

Cross-border contractual and business questions connected with Brazil require attention to both the transaction and its legal setting. Reviewing an agreement involves identifying the parties, their authority, the services or assets concerned, payment obligations, governing-law provisions, dispute-resolution terms and the intended place of performance.

Enforcement and termination provisions should be considered alongside the commercial purpose of the transaction. A favourable clause may offer limited practical protection if the counterparty cannot be located, the evidence is unavailable or the resulting decision cannot readily reach the relevant assets. The legal work is defined by the transaction and the jurisdictions involved.

Consular directories and independent verification

The office appears in the legal assistance directory of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil, as checked on 18 October 2026. The entry identifies international family law, Hague child abduction, divorce and child support, and international litigation among its stated practice areas.

The directory is an informational resource. The U.S. Mission expressly states that inclusion does not constitute endorsement and that information is supplied by the listed providers. A listing should therefore be read within its published scope, rather than as an official recommendation or guarantee of professional results.

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office also maintains a service for finding English-speaking lawyers abroad. Its introductory guidance likewise explains that the lists are not recommendations. That general resource is provided for independent research; it is distinct from the U.S. directory entry verified above.

Preparing a consultation

A useful initial account sets out the countries involved, a chronology, the issue requiring attention in Brazil and any pending hearings or deadlines. Existing orders, agreements, pleadings, service documents and material correspondence help identify the procedural position before substantive advice is developed.

The proposed work, responsibility for proceedings in each country, fees and communication arrangements should be defined in the engagement. An initial enquiry does not establish that a particular remedy is available or that representation has been accepted. Sensitive records should be provided through the channel agreed for the matter.

For enquiries, use the office’s WhatsApp contact or email Dr. Mauricio Ejchel. These contact details also appear in the verified U.S. directory entry.

Office in São Paulo

Dr. Mauricio Ejchel
MF Ejchel International Family Law
International Family Law
OAB/SP 135.158
Avenida Marquês de São Vicente, 446, unit 706
Barra Funda, ZIP 01139-000, São Paulo, Brazil
www.internationallawyerbrazil.com

Institutional information and the office’s publications are available through the canonical website. Arrangements involving overseas counsel are assessed for the particular matter and the jurisdiction in which assistance is required.