The Missouri Bar

Court Refuses to Hand Over Mother Charged with Kidnapping

In Costa Rica, a court refused to send back a woman charged in the United States with kidnapping her daughter. The U.S. asked the court to extradite Nicole Kater, 28, who fled to the country three years during a contentious custody dispute with her American husband. The child's father was awarded custody in 2005, which led Kater to flee. She claims her husband was abusive - a standard tactic used in such cases. (Read more in the Nicaragua Daily News.)

International child kidnappings are on the rise as a global economy and the Internet bring together couples from various nationalities. These cases are tedious and difficult to win, depending on which countries a fleeing spouse resides in.

The Law in You Life tackles this topic with attorney Chris Schmidt, who explains to host Angela Wilson how to fight in these situations - and how to avoid them.

Law in Your Life #55: International Child Abductions

Parental child abductions are frightening - especially when the children are taken overseas. These cases are difficult to navigate as international laws come into play. This week, Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out just how common these abductions are, and what you need to know if it happens to you from attorney Chris Schmidt. Schmidt will also discuss ways to prevent international child custody issues before they happen.

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Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 12.9 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

Overseas Travel Declines

Fewer Americans are booking vacations overseas as travel costs soar. But there are still those who want to reach the summits of the Swiss Alps, or cross the famous bridges over the Seine - and are willing to pay for the luxury.

Overseas travel is fun, but takes a lot more preparation than a trip inside the U.S. You need to check the safety of the country you want to visit, know what to do if your passport is lost and more. Want the details? Check out this Law in Your Life podcast with attorney Leon Versfeld about what you need to know before traveling outside the U.S.

International Travel

More people traveled by plane outside of the U.S. than inside the nation last year. That's according to the 2008  Business Travel Survey by Business Travel News. Passenger revenues were some of their highest globally, but dipped in the U.S. because of rising fuel costs and lower demand. Read more

If you are one of these passengers - whether on business or vacation in another country - what should you know? Are there rules you should know about, or research to do before you set foot in a nation other than the United States? Attorney Leon Verseld shares his thoughts with host Angela Wilson in this Law in Your Life podcast.

Law in Your Life #38: Traveling Overseas

Summer is here, and many families will travel across U.S. borders to vacation in countries like Mexico, Europe and Canada. What do you need to know when traveling overseas? What happens if your passport is stolen? How can the U.S. Embassy help you? This week, host Angela Wilson gets the answers from attorney Leon Versfeld. (Internet Explorer users click twice.)

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On the Web:

Get a Passport

Get a Passport Card

Download audio to your computer. (MP3, approx 12.4 meg)
Note: in some browsers, the file may not begin playing until full file is downloaded.

On the Web:

Get a Passport

Get a Passport Card