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Specialty tag(s): High Net Worth Divorce, Divorce

International Divorce for High-Net-Worth Expatriates

Ryan R. Bauerle | December 2, 2025

Key Takeaways

• You can file for divorce in Texas even if your spouse lives abroad, so long as you meet Texas residency requirements.
• Foreign assets require careful tracing, valuation, and jurisdictional planning.
• A Texas divorce decree must be recognized internationally to protect property, business interests, and parental rights.
• Custody arrangements for expat families should anticipate travel, mobility, passports, and international law.

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A divorce involving a high-net-worth expatriate is rarely straightforward. Multiple properties, business interests overseas, international schooling, and children who spend significant time in different countries create layers of legal and financial considerations. The decisions made in these cases affect where you live, how you access assets, and how your family moves between countries.

As a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley, I advise clients with substantial wealth and layered personal obligations, helping them navigate decisions that carry long-term financial and family consequences. Many of the individuals I work with are executives, investors, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and families who value a disciplined, business-minded approach focused on protecting long-term interests.

Texas Jurisdiction: Filing for Divorce When One Spouse Lives Abroad

In many international marriages, only one spouse resides in the United States at the time of the divorce filing. Texas courts may still hear the case if the filing spouse meets the residency threshold of six months in Texas and 90 days in the county of filing.

This can apply when:

• A spouse is temporarily stationed or working overseas;
• The marriage took place in a foreign country;
• A marriage is registered abroad; or
• The couple spent time living outside the U.S. due to career or relocation.

Texas jurisdiction is often preferred because it offers a structured legal process, often more predictable procedures, and enforceable orders. Filing here may provide stability and a reliable path forward when a marriage no longer aligns with the realities of global life.

Foreign Assets: Wealth and Investments Across Borders

High-net-worth expatriates often hold assets in multiple countries. Texas is a community property state, meaning that generally assets earned or acquired during the marriage are subject to division. The complexity increases when determining how those assets are treated under foreign law.

Some examples include:

• Ownership interests in international companies or joint ventures;
• Private or luxury real estate abroad;
• Executive compensation, restricted stock, or performance incentives;
• Offshore trusts or family wealth structures;
• Foreign banking or investment accounts;
• Cryptocurrency held on non-U.S. exchanges; and
• Art, collectibles, or high-value personal property located internationally.

The process involves identifying the assets, understanding their financial and legal implications, and determining how Texas courts will treat them. Collaboration with financial professionals and, when appropriate, foreign counsel, helps ensure divisions are thoughtfully structured and legally sound.

Enforceability: Ensuring Orders Work Abroad

A divorce judgment issued in Texas may not automatically carry legal effect in another country. Recognition varies widely, and failure to address enforceability can lead to practical obstacles.

Challenges may include:

• Inability to transfer or sell real property in a foreign jurisdiction;
• Delays in accessing or liquidating business or investment interests;
• Custody agreements that are not recognized; and
• Ongoing financial obligations tied to foreign law.

To protect clients’ interests, some cases require additional legal steps to ensure that the outcome is honored in the countries most relevant to the family. This may involve recognition proceedings, registration procedures, or coordination with international legal advisors.

The goal is a resolution that works in the places where clients actually live, travel, and maintain financial ties.

Child Custody Considerations for Expat Families

Global families encounter challenges that extend beyond traditional parenting schedules. Important considerations often include:

• Travel permissions and exit restrictions;
• Passport issuance and renewals;
• School placement abroad;
• Visitation across time zones; and
• Hague Convention protections in cases of wrongful removal.

Custody arrangements should reflect how families actually operate in real life. Plans that account for frequent travel, payment of travel expenses, remote work, or extended stays abroad help maintain consistency for children and reduce conflict between parents.

Begin a Confidential Consultation

International divorce affects nearly every aspect of life—where you live, how you parent, how you access your assets, and what your future looks like in different countries. If you are a high-net-worth expatriate, investor, or executive seeking direction, I welcome the opportunity to help you navigate your options. Schedule a confidential consultation.

About Ryan R. Bauerle

Ryan R. Bauerle is a partner at Goranson Bain Ausley and Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® and has been named among D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40. Ryan works with high-net-worth individuals on complex divorce and property matters, including business-owner issues, valuation considerations, and financial risk mitigation.

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