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…
Author: evan
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…
The Shift in Housing Demand: Should Remote Work Drive People Away from Expensive Cities?
The real estate market in major cities like Frankfurt and Berlin has long been characterized by high demand, skyrocketing prices, and fierce competition for rental properties. Many people who choose to live…
What Happens to Stateless Children in Europe? A Comparative Overview
Introduction: The Hidden Crisis of Stateless Children Statelessness remains one of the most overlooked issues affecting children in Europe today. Children born to parents with unclear or no legal status often find…
The Unseen Legal Gap: How European Family Law Fails Families with Tolerated or Unclear Immigration Status
Introduction: The Hidden Reality of Unidentified and Tolerated Unclear Immigration Status of Parents in Europe What happens when a parent living in Germany under a tolerated status suddenly dies? Their children, legal…