Category Archives: Law

Books to give away

Zur deutschen Fassung. I think they have become useless. Admittedly, these are somewhat older editions. But law school was one Cold War ago. I also ask you for a minute of silence for the US State Department lawyers, who, with … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Law, Military, Politics, USA, Venezuela | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Brain biopsies, they are everywhere!

When I got an e-mail with the subject line “help sueing the german government”, I thought it was concerning another lawsuit for delayed processing of a citizenship application. Which I get a lot, and in which cases I am happy … Continue reading

Posted in Law | 11 Comments

Nirvana

In the child custody case of an American family that I am litigating before the Kaiserslautern Family Court, the opposing lawyer in her brief lists all the places that the family have lived at since they married: It took me … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, Language | Tagged | 6 Comments

Historical Ignorance

Zur deutschen Fassung. I am always a bit disappointed when my clients show little enthusiasm, as I explain to them that the finely balanced inter- and sometimes counterplay between federal laws, the state judiciary and municipal executive power in Germany … Continue reading

Posted in Germany, History, Law | Tagged , | 10 Comments

FAQ on Military Divorce in Germany

As you know, I am a lawyer in Germany and I specialize in international family law. But did you know how I got into family law in the first place? I grew up in Amberg, which used to have a … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, German Law, Germany, Law, Military, USA | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Marriage makes stupid

Zur deutschen Fassung. As a divorce lawyer, I never tire of singing the praises of single life and trumpeting the dangers of marriage. Unfortunately, no one ever listens to me. Instead, people continue to walk down the aisle, towards doom … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law | Tagged , , , , | 14 Comments

How much does Child Custody cost?

A potential client is trying to convince me to take on her case, listing the reasons why she should have child custody. “I have a house, I have a car, my ex doesn’t have anything,” she says, among other equally … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, Law | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

FAQ on Reclaiming German Citizenship – updated 2025

The FAQ on German Citizenship are the most popular post on my blog. But some aspects are so complicated, they warrant their own list of FAQ, like those on reclaiming German citizenship or German citizenship by restitution. I am a … Continue reading

Posted in German Law, Germany, Law | Tagged , , | 207 Comments

A realistic lawyer movie: “Maîtres”

Zur deutschen Fassung. Most lawyer movies and legal series convey a completely skewed image of lawyers and courts. But as most people unfortunately spend more time in front of the television than before an appellate court, these misconceptions inform their … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, France, Immigration Law, Law | Tagged | 21 Comments

FAQ on International Child Abduction – updated 2025

I have noticed that I receive many e-mails with the same questions, so I have started to post the most frequent questions – and of course the answers to them – for everyone to read. For free, can you believe that?! … Continue reading

Posted in Family Law, German Law, Law | Tagged , , , , | 110 Comments