Dear Karina,

I have a difficult Russian law problem.

I am a US citizen and had a relationship with a Russian man, the result of which was a daughter. The man did not tell me he was married and when I found out I ended the relationship.

The man is a well known businessman in Moscow. He has two older sons from his marriage.

The man and I had a verbal agreement (and I have done emails too) that he would pay child maintenance to me for my daughter, would pay for her to attend private school and pay for her university education - i.e. she was to be in the same position as his sons and enjoy the same lifestyle. He has paid nothing. After my daughter was enrolled in the school it was left to me to find the money to pay.

Three years ago I commenced legal proceedings against him.

His son angrily told me that, two years ago, this man signed over the successful business to him and his brother (obviously to hide his assets/earnings etc).

My question are:

1) Why are the courts taking so long to settle this matter when they have all of the information required (to date three years)and this man is quite well known?

2) If court proceedings were started three years ago, but he only transferred the business to his sons two years ago, will the courts still consider the business in its calculations and understand he has transferred the business to avoid paying?

3) Can my daughter make a claim to a third of the business or else ask for monetary compensation for her third?

4) Can the court impose sanctions on this man, restricting his passport for example, for hiding assets and non payment etc?

Any help would be so much appreciated.

Thank you and kind regards.