Introduction: A Greek Truth in a Global Reality There’s a saying in Greek:“Πνίγομαι σε μια κουταλιά νερό.”“I’m drowning in a spoonful of water.” It captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by things…
Author: evan
Reconciliation Beyond the Courtroom: Why My Children’s Mother Will Always Matter
Introduction: More Than a Legal Matter In family law, especially in systems like Germany’s, there’s a strong emphasis on conciliation—finding a solution that works for everyone without assigning clear winners or losers….
The Court and the Law – A Personal Journey Through Family Justice Systems
When I filed my petition requesting sole custody of my children, my knowledge of the German legal system was extremely limited. However, I had already been exposed to Family Law in other…
Patterns, Rules, and Bias: What Chess and Law Have in Common
In Stefan Zweig’s Schachnovelle (Chess Novella), a man imprisoned during wartime survives by mastering a stolen chess book. With no one to play against, he internalizes moves, strategies, and mental games. When…
Competence Conflict: Who Should Decide in Urgent Family Law Cases?
Introduction When urgent decisions must be made about a child’s wellbeing, who has the competence to decide? In Germany, it’s often a social worker. In Greece, it’s a judge. This contrast reveals…
Enhancing Family Law Through Comparative
IntroductionComparative law isn’t just about evaluating different legal systems; it’s about understanding how they can inform and improve each other. The goal is not merely to critique but to foster a more…
Bias and Impartiality in Comparative Family Law
Exploring Principles from Australia and Common Law Jurisdictions In this excerpt from Legal Ties, Family Bonds, I would like to explore a foundational element of justice in family law proceedings across legal…
Bias in German Family Law: Where Impartiality Is More a Principle Than a Practice
Introduction: Is Family Law in Germany Truly Neutral? In theory, the German legal system prides itself on objectivity and the impartial treatment of all parties. This principle is especially vital in family…
Parenting Through Generations
Every generation believes it’s the one that finally got parenting “right.” And every generation also silently (or loudly) criticizes the one before and the one after. In the 1980s, many parents smoked…
Why Finding a Home in Germany as a Single Parent Feels Impossible
I didn’t expect that the hardest part of settling down in Germany with children would be finding a place to live. Not because I wasn’t working or couldn’t afford the rent—but because…