My husband and I are Russian citizens. Our child was born in Ukraine and received a birth certificate in Ukrainian. Prior to departure to Ukraine we visited our civil records office to get a consultation concerning documents we will need to obtain; we were told that we will need a notarized translation of the certificate in Ukrainian. Upon return to Russia we applied to a civil records office for the purpose of obtaining a Russian birth certificate but were refused. Civil records officers said that we would have to use the Ukrainian certificate with the translation into Russian until the child receives a passport. Are they right? We also took legal advice, a lawyer advised us to obtain an apostille but we didn't understand for which purposes.

Is a Russian Consulate entitled to refuse to register a Russian citizen in the consulate in the country of residence in case a citizen is not de-registered in Russia?

What is an apostille?

Dear lawyers! I am taking care of my aunt (born in 1915) who was a prisoner in Germany during the war. She is entitled to receive a compensation from the fund of common understanding and reconciliation. The payment will take place till the end of 2005. Her health is getting worse. Can she issue a power of attorney in my name for receiving the money after her death?

Can I register my son’s marriage after his death (he was killed) with his common-law wife? They lived together for 2.5 years. The daughter-in-law is expecting a child (8 months pregnancy). Can we give my son’s name to the child? Thank you.

My husband and I are divorced. Our daughter will be 18 next year. She entered a university this year (contractual education). The father refuses to finance daughter’s education. Can I (or daughter) bring a case against him in a court and require alimony payments until graduation from the university?

My husband effects alimony payments in favour a child from his first marriage equal to 25% of his income. How much will he pay ton me and his first wife in case I apply for alimony payments?

I am married for the second time and have a child from the first marriage. I pay 25% to the child. I also have a child from the second marriage. My wife doesn’t work. Can I reduce alimony payments?

My brother is going to marry but I think the girl wants to get married solely for the purpose of obtaining an apartment and probably other property. It is impossible to persuade my brother from marriage but I can at least give him advice in order to minimize material losses in case of divorce. What is a wife entitled to in case she initiates a divorce in a year? My brother owns an apartment (he lives there alone), a half of our country house and a car.

Can child support money be paid in case a marriage is not terminated but a parent doesn’t live with the family? Child’s mother doesn’t want to divorce and threatens to forbid me meeting with the son. How can I legally solve this matter?