Articles and publications

Russia's Economic Crisis Spurs Drop in Divorces

The unromantic perspective is shared by Karina Duvall, an attorney and expert on Russian law, who also thinks it’s financial issues, rather than renewed marital bliss causing the shift in statistics. “I think that the reduction in the number of divorces in 2015 has nothing to do with the fact that Russians began to love each other,” she says. “We all know that Russia is in a deep crisis because of the sanctions, lower oil prices, the fall of the rouble, an increase in prices for goods.” Read More »

Divorce Jurisdiction

The Russian divorce is final and valid and both parties appeared in the action to advance their respective interests. This Court should recognize the Russian judgment. Divorce in Russia does not prevent both parties from requesting division of property by commencing an appropriate action in a competent court in the United States. Read More »

Divorce in Russia

KARINA DUVALL, being duly sworn, deposes and says:

1. I am an attorney admitted to practice law in the Russian Federation. I have over 15 years of high-level experience in the Matrimonial, Family and Civil Law of the Russian Federation as well as in International Law.

2. I am expert in the Russian law.

3. I also have been designated as a Foreign Legal Consultant, pursuant to Rule XI, Section 8 of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio. Accordingly, I may render legal services in Ohio to the extent authorized by Rule XI.

4. I am often called upon to testify in United States courts as an expert on Russian law. Documents evidencing my right to practice law in the Russian Federation, New York and Ohio are attached hereto as Exhibit A. My clients are individuals of all nations who need expertise in Russian law. I specialize in Family and International Private Law and my area of expertise is complex multi-jurisdictional family and matrimonial cases.

5. I was retained by Andrei Orlov (“Andrei”) to represent him in a divorce action in the Russian Federation. His American counsel has asked me to make an affidavit for use in this action, setting out the result of that action as well as to explain certain principles of Russian law. Any factual statements set out herein are based on knowledge I acquired during the pendency of the Russian litigation.

6. Andrei and Inna Orlova (“Inna”) were married in 1990 in Russia. Both parties are Russian citizens.

7. Article 160, Part 2 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation allows Russian citizens who live abroad, to file for divorce in Russia even if his or her spouse lives outside of the Russian Federation.

8. The Russian Federation generally recognizes as valid, judgments of divorce entered in foreign courts in compliance with foreign law. Article 160 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation.

9. Article 28 and 29 of the Civil Procedural Code of the Russian Fede... Read More »

Divorce with German Citizen in Russia

In justification of her claims Plaintiff specified that parties were married on December 1, 2015. The marriage has broken down irretrievably, there are no economic issues, further mutual life and maintaining the marriage is impossible. There are no minor children. From dissolution of the marriage in Civil Act Registration Office spouse evades. Read More »

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A woman accused of abducting her infant daughter from South Carolina 20 years ago pleaded not guilty Monday during her first court appearance after being extradited from Australia

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A woman accused of abducting her infant daughter from South Carolina 20 years ago pleaded not guilty Monday during her first court appearance after being extradited from Australia. Read More »