Custody in Italy
Custody of minors is one of the most delicate topics in the family area, especially when it involves parents of different nationality, or cases of separation and divorce of foreign citizens residing in Italy.
According to Italian family law, the custody of minors, and equally the custody of minor children for foreign citizens residing in Italy, is based on the fundamental principle of the “superior interest of the minor”, also enshrined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and recalled by Legge n. 54/2006 which introduced the institution of shared custody as the general rule.
However, there are situations in which the judge can also decide for exclusive custody, when there are serious conflicts between the parents or when one of the two is considered unsuitable to exercise parental responsibility.
In the context of foreigners residing in Italy, the problems relating to custody of minor children can be more complex. This happens especially when one parent is a foreign spouse and the family has international ties, such as residence in multiple Countries or the involvement of different legal systems. For example, decisions on custody in Italy for foreigners residing in Italy must respect internal regulation but also take into account international agreements.
Disputes and violation of the judge’s orders on custody of children
Once custody of the minor children has been established through a judgment of the Tribunale, the parties are obliged to respect all the conditions imposed by it. Not by chance, the violation of the prescriptions contained in such orders can entail significant legal consequences.
The Italian Codice penale, for example, provides at art. 388 severe penalties for those who do not respect a decision relating to such a delicate topic.
The most frequent violations encountered in practice may include the failure to respect the established times of visitation of the parent to the child, the transfer of the minor to another city or even abroad without the consent of the other parent and in the absence of authorisation of the judicial authority (in this case the case of international child abduction can be configured), or, again, the failure to fulfil the obligations of support.
The disputes can become even more complex in the case of temporary custody or direct custody, situations that often require a re-examination by the judge to determine whether the minor must continue to live with a relative or return to the family of origin.
In such cases, the intervention of a lawyer for the protection of the minor becomes essential to ensure that the rights of the child are fully respected and that the violation of the judge’s orders does not produce prejudicial consequences for their well-being.
Another question of relevant importance concerns the return of the minor to the Country of origin of one of the parents.
As is known, this circumstance requires considering at the same time Italian regulation and international treaties as regards competence, applicable law or any measures of protection of minors. It is not rare, in fact, that a foreign spouse finds themselves in the situation of having to defend their rights before an Italian court, also asserting the laws of their country of origin.
Legal advice for custody of minor children for citizens residing in Italy
The custody procedure in Italy for foreigners residing in Italy may prove complicated both from the legal and the linguistic point of view. A foreign citizen might not be familiar with the Italian concept of shared custody, the latter providing for the active participation of both parents in important decisions concerning the life of the minor, also when the minor lives mainly with one of the two parents.
It is here that Boschetti Studio Legale comes into play, with its team of professionals capable of guiding the client, in providing them with specific legal assistance for custody, both with regard to the Italian context and, in particular, to the international implications.
The problems that foreign parents find themselves having to face can vary.
For example, in case of family custody to relatives, it might be necessary to demonstrate that the extended family environment is the most suitable for the well-being of the minor, if the parents cannot exercise parental responsibility.
In cases of international separations, the procedure to obtain custody of minors may require the application of bilateral or multilateral agreements between States, such as the EU Regulation Bruxelles II bis, which establishes which court has competence on matters of custody of minor children when the parents reside in different Countries.
Furthermore, when a minor is transferred to Italy or from one State to another, it is fundamental to establish who has the jurisdiction to decide on temporary or definitive custody.
International agreements, as well as the recognition of decisions of foreign courts, are essential to prevent situations of conflict or international child abduction.
Typical scenarios / Case studies
The typical scenarios have been developed by combining the most significant family law cases that the firm routinely handles, with the aim of creating a structured and complex case study to help readers navigate the handling of their own personal cases. The case studies, on the other hand, illustrate individual cases that have actually been handled by the firm, with data and details anonymised to ensure client confidentiality.
Registrazione del contratto di convivenza e regolarizzazione del partner straniero
Coppia residente a Roma: cittadino italiano e compagna straniera priva di documenti di soggiorno. Ricorso cautelare ex art. 700 c.p.c. per tutela della convivenza, seguito da pratica per carta di soggiorno familiare UE.
Adozione di maggiorenne per riconoscere un rapporto familiare di fatto
Cittadino statunitense residente a Roma con legame affettivo stabile con lo zio acquisito. Procedimento per adozione di persona maggiorenne ex artt. 291 e ss. del Codice Civile per formalizzare il rapporto familiare.
Contratto di convivenza per coppia italo-brasiliana: tutela patrimonio e permesso di soggiorno
Imprenditore italiano e compagna brasiliana conviventi da tre anni a Milano. Tre vulnerabilità interconnesse: migratoria, patrimoniale e successoria, risolte con un intervento coordinato su tre fronti paralleli.
Adozione in Colombia: coppia italiana realizza il sogno dopo 3 anni di percorso
Una coppia sposata da otto anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale con la Colombia. Un percorso attraverso due ordinamenti, tre istituzioni italiane e l’autorità centrale colombiana.
Successione con eredi in 4 paesi diversi: coordinamento Italia-USA-UK-Svizzera
Un imprenditore italiano lascia un patrimonio distribuito tra Italia, Stati Uniti e Svizzera, con quattro eredi in altrettanti paesi. Quattro ordinamenti, quattro sistemi fiscali da coordinare in parallelo.
Adozione maggiorenne figlio del partner: riconoscimento legame affettivo ventennale
Un uomo di cinquantotto anni chiede di adottare il figlio trentenne della moglie, cresciuto insieme da vent’anni. Un legame reale che la legge non riconosceva, con implicazioni successorie per i figli biologici.
Impugnazione testamento per lesione di legittima: recuperati 800.000 euro per gli eredi
Due figli ricevono 20.000 euro ciascuno da un testamento che lascia quasi tutto alla seconda moglie del padre. Un’azione di riduzione per lesione della quota di legittima risolta in mediazione.
Pianificazione successoria azienda familiare: passaggio generazionale da 3 milioni
Un imprenditore di sessantadue anni deve trasferire un’azienda da 50 dipendenti al figlio che la gestisce, tutelando la figlia che ha scelto un altro percorso. Patto di famiglia e holding per garantire continuità.
Adozione internazionale da parte di single: quando la legge apre una strada che pochi conoscono
Una donna single di quarantacinque anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale. Un percorso giuridicamente possibile ma poco conosciuto, che richiede una strategia legale specifica fin dal decreto di idoneità.
Eredità digitale: gestione criptovalute e asset digitali del defunto
Un professionista muore lasciando criptovalute per oltre 600.000 euro su wallet e exchange, senza istruzioni di accesso. Un patrimonio digitale che rischiava di andare perduto per sempre.
Rettifica del nome per persona transgender: documenti coerenti con la propria identità
Una professionista trentaduenne, in trattamento ormonale da otto anni, con documenti ancora al nome maschile di nascita. La discrepanza anagrafica generava outing forzati quotidiani in ambito lavorativo, bancario e amministrativo.
Attribuzione di sesso e aggiornamento di oltre 20 documenti: dalla sentenza alla nuova identità anagrafica
Un dirigente di 45 anni con sentenza di rettificazione già ottenuta si trova davanti al vero ostacolo: coordinare carta d’identità, patente, laurea, contratti di lavoro, mutuo e polizze assicurative presso enti con procedure non uniformate.
How can we help you
A law firm for custody of minors, like Boschetti Studio Legale, has the necessary experience to assist families in Italy, regardless of their nationality, also dealing with cases of custody of minor children for foreign citizens residing in Italy, offering with professionalism and dedication tailored advice for you on every aspect of the custody procedure.
Boschetti Studio Legale will accompany you step by step, providing you with experienced and prepared defence both in negotiations between the parties and in litigation before the courts, always having at heart the superior interest of the minor.
Fill in the form to allow us to assess your case. We will contact you back within 48 working hours to inform you whether and how we can assist you.
This form is reserved for those who need legal assistance on a concrete situation. We do not provide free advice nor answers to generic queries by email. If you have a case that requires professional assessment, fill in the form: we will contact you back for a first exploratory meeting.
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How much does a lawyer for custody of children cost?
For custody of children, the cost of a lawyer can vary based on the complexity of the case, on the duration of the proceeding, whether it be of consensual nature or of contentious nature, and on the competence of the court involved.
In general, rates are contained, but can increase in case expert opinions, multiple consultancies and further necessities occurring during the case, or when the case requires the study of international regulations, become indispensable.
How long does a case for custody of children last?
A case for custody of children has a variable duration, being determinable by the complexity of the case and by the workload of the court approached.
On average, the duration may range from a few months to over a year in the most conflictual cases.
However, if the parties reach an agreement consensually, the proceeding can conclude more rapidly.
When can a father request custody?
A father can submit a petition for custody of the children at any time, in case of separation or divorce, or if they consider that the mother is unable to ensure the well-being of the minor.
The custody they can request can be exclusive or shared, depending on the specific circumstances of the case at hand. The court always decides following the principle of the "superior interest of the minor", assessing the parental capacity and the living conditions of both parents.
Who pays the lawyer of the minor?
Generally, the legal expenses for the lawyer of the minor are covered by the parents according to their possibilities and economic capacities.
However, if one of the parents cannot afford to bear such expense, the court can dispose that the expenses be borne by the other parent or, in particular cases, can appoint a court-appointed lawyer at the expense of the State.
What does giving in custody mean?
Giving in custody means temporarily transferring the custody and responsibility of a minor to another person or to another family, for reasons of health, family difficulties of economic or relational type, or in case of separation of the parents.
Custody can be temporary or lasting, and is based on the cardinal principle of the "superior interest of the minor".
During this temporal period the custodian must ensure the well-being of the child, maintaining contact with the parents if allowed.
When is a child given in custody?
A child is given in custody when the judicial authorities consider that they cannot remain living with the parents, due to particularly relevant situations such as abuse, neglect, psycho-physical problems or parental incapacity.
The custody of the child can also take place simply because, in the course of a procedure of personal separation of the parents, the latter are unable to ensure them a healthy and safe environment.
The decision is, in fact, always taken with the objective of protecting the well-being of the minor.
