Family law in Siena for Italian-Argentine and Italian-Brazilian families
Separation, custody and international child abduction between Italy and South America
Family law for Italian-Argentine and Italian-Brazilian families in Siena
Families with ties to both Italy and Argentina or Brazil face particular challenges when separation or custody disputes arise.
The geographical distance between Siena and South America, combined with differences in legal systems and the involvement of children who may hold dual nationality, creates a complex jurisdictional landscape.
The 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction, to which Italy, Argentina, and Brazil are all parties, provides a framework for the resolution of wrongful removal or retention of children, and its provisions must be carefully considered in any custody arrangement.
The firm assists Italian-Argentine and Italian-Brazilian families in navigating these complexities, managing proceedings before the courts of Siena, coordinating with South American counsel, and working to support the enforceability of custody and maintenance arrangements across both jurisdictions.
The firm's established familiarity with South American consular procedures and apostille requirements facilitates the efficient management of the documentary aspects of these cases.
How to proceed — preliminary consultation
The first recommended step is to schedule a thirty-minute preliminary consultation, available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, to discuss the specific family law situation and identify the available options.
The firm accommodates South American time zones and provides culturally sensitive guidance.
- The L'Aurora Law Firm is available for those seeking professional virtual legal assistance and customized solutions in Siena. We offer a wide range of bespoke legal services designed to effectively meet the needs of private individuals, companies and professionals.
- We remain constantly updated on the latest legislative developments and judicial trends, ensuring comprehensive, targeted and cutting-edge assistance. Every client is unique, and for this reason we strive to provide customized consultations, aimed at resolving legal issues that may arise in daily life or in the professional context in the most effective and timely manner possible.
- Our approach is founded on a thorough and meticulous analysis of each case, offering practical and concrete solutions, always oriented towards protecting the rights and legitimate interests of our clients. We firmly believe that a solid professional relationship is built on mutual trust and maximum transparency, and for this reason we maintain constant and open dialogue with our clients, updating them punctually at every stage of proceedings.
- We provide virtual consultation and qualified legal assistance in Siena, in the region of Toscana, in various areas of law, including civil, commercial, corporate, labor and criminal law. Whether it is a contractual dispute, a family law matter or a corporate litigation, we are ready to provide all necessary support to face every legal challenge with confidence and serenity.
- We work with passion, dedication and professional rigor to achieve concrete and measurable results, always with the primary objective of ensuring the full protection of our clients' rights. Contact us for an initial consultation and discover how we can help you protect your rights and resolve every legal matter with expertise and professionalism.

I am Lawyer Liliana L'Aurora, registered with the Bar Association of Latina, with expertise in business distress law and over-indebtedness, according to the Business Distress Code. Crisis Manager in over-indebtedness procedures and insolvency proceedings. I am registered with the Register of Crisis Managers and the OCC of Latina.
During my career, I have gained significant experience at the De Felice Law Firm, with focus on bankruptcy proceedings and real estate sales. I offer consultation to private individuals and companies in the following areas: commercial law, family law, civil liability, debt recovery.
Graduated in Law from La Sapienza University in Rome, I continue to participate in advanced courses and seminars, with particular attention to business distress.
I offer remote legal support throughout the national territory, using digital tools to ensure safe and agile remote consultations.
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Does the law firm handle legal matters related to Siena?
- The firm provides specialised legal counsel on matters involving Siena and the surrounding territory — irrespective of the client's place of residence.
- From property disputes to local regulations, employment law to family matters: should a case be connected to Siena or neighbouring municipalities such as Buonconvento, Murlo, Monteroni d'Arbia, the firm is available to assist.
- Consultations are conducted remotely via video call or telephone, without the need to attend the office in person.
- Book a consultation →
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Can legal assistance be obtained for a matter involving Siena without residing there?
- The firm handles legal matters connected to the territory of Siena and surrounding municipalities, regardless of where the client is based.
- Cases involving local real estate, commercial activities, contracts, inheritance and disputes tied to the following areas are fully covered: Buonconvento, Murlo, Monteroni d'Arbia, Trequanda, Asciano, Montalcino, San Quirico d'Orcia, Pienza, Rapolano Terme, Castiglione d'Orcia.
- The firm is available to provide qualified legal assistance tailored to each specific situation.
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Does the firm provide legal assistance for over-indebtedness and debt crisis procedures connected to Siena?
- The firm offers specialised legal assistance for over-indebtedness procedures under Italian Law No. 3/2012 and the Business Crisis Code (D.Lgs. 14/2019), assisting both private individuals and sole traders connected to the Siena area.
- Available procedures include the debt restructuring plan, the consumer arrangement, and the controlled liquidation of assets — instruments designed to provide a lawful and structured resolution to situations of financial distress.
- Clients residing in or holding assets within Buonconvento, Murlo, Monteroni d'Arbia, Trequanda, Asciano, Montalcino, San Quirico d'Orcia, Pienza, Rapolano Terme, Castiglione d'Orcia and surrounding municipalities may access these procedures with the support of the firm.
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INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS REQUIRING FAMILY LAW ASSISTANCE IN SIENA
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Recognition of a foreign divorce decree in Siena
- A divorce pronounced by a court in the United States or the United Kingdom requires formal recognition in Italy to produce legal effects on Italian soil. This is essential where the parties own property in Siena, share children who hold Italian citizenship, or where one party requires an updated civil status for remarriage. The firm manages the recognition procedure before the Court of Appeal or, where applicable, through simplified transcription at the civil registry of Siena, advising on the documentation required and the enforceability of foreign maintenance orders.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Separation and custody matters for Italian-Argentine and Italian-Brazilian families in Siena
- Families with ties to both Italy and Argentina or Brazil frequently face jurisdictional complexity when a separation occurs. Where one party resides in Siena and the other in Buenos Aires or São Paulo, the firm assists in determining the competent forum, managing service of process across continents, and negotiating custody arrangements that comply with the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The firm's familiarity with South American consular procedures and apostille requirements enables efficient coordination of the documentary aspects of the case.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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International child support enforcement in Siena
- The enforcement of foreign child support or spousal maintenance orders in Siena requires the application of the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support. Where the paying parent resides in the province of Siena and the receiving parent abroad, or vice versa, the firm assists with the recognition and enforcement procedure, ensures compliance with Italian procedural requirements, and negotiates modifications where circumstances have materially changed since the original order was issued.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Child custody and parental responsibility across European borders — Siena
- Disputes involving parental responsibility where one parent resides in Siena and the other in Germany, Switzerland, or France are governed by the 1996 Hague Convention and, within the EU, by Regulation 2019/1111. The habitual residence of the child determines jurisdiction, but urgent provisional measures may be sought before the court of Siena regardless of the child's domicile. The firm provides counsel in international custody matters, with particular attention to the child's best interests principle and the rights of the non-resident parent.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements with international elements — Siena
- International couples establishing residence in Siena or owning assets in Siena should consider the enforceability of prenuptial or postnuptial agreements under Italian law, which differs materially from common law jurisdictions. While Italian law does not recognise prenuptial agreements in the Anglo-American sense, the choice of matrimonial property regime — comunione or separazione dei beni — and specific patrimonial agreements under Article 162 of the Civil Code can achieve comparable protective effects. The firm advises international couples on structuring these arrangements in a manner recognised across relevant jurisdictions.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS IN SIENA
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Which court has jurisdiction over a divorce when one spouse lives in Siena and the other abroad?
- Jurisdiction is determined under EU Regulation 2019/1111 for EU-resident spouses or under Italian private international law provisions for non-EU spouses. Generally, the court of the habitual residence of the respondent has jurisdiction, but alternative grounds — including the last common residence — may apply. The firm advises on the most favourable forum for the client's specific circumstances.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Is a divorce obtained abroad recognised in Siena?
- Foreign divorce decrees can be recognised in Italy through transcription at the civil registry of Siena, provided the decree meets certain requirements of Italian public policy. For EU decrees, recognition is largely automatic under the Brussels II ter Regulation. For non-EU decrees, a specific recognition procedure may be required before the Court of Appeal.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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Can child custody arrangements be enforced across borders from Siena?
- Yes. The 1996 Hague Convention and EU Regulation 2019/1111 provide mechanisms for the recognition and enforcement of custody orders across borders. The firm assists in obtaining enforcement of foreign custody orders in Siena or in securing recognition of Italian orders abroad.
- Schedule a preliminary consultation
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What is the Italian approach to spousal maintenance for international couples?
- Italian courts determine spousal maintenance based on the economic disparity between the spouses and the standard of living during the marriage. For international couples, the court considers both spouses' income and assets regardless of jurisdiction. Maintenance orders issued in Siena can be enforced abroad under the 2007 Hague Convention or EU Regulation 4/2009.
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