Divorce can become significantly more complicated when culture, immigration status, or international law are part of the equation. I'm joined by family law attorney Diana Romanov for a conversation about what happens when divorce crosses cultural and international lines.
Diana brings a rare perspective to this work, shaped by her own immigration journey, her legal training, and practice across multiple countries. Together, we unpack how jurisdiction is determined when spouses live in different countries, how cultural norms shape power and decision-making in divorce, and why custody battles often look very different when one parent has been the primary caregiver for most of the marriage. We also dig into the realities of international relocation with children and how courts decide who can move, who can't, and why.
At its core, this is about understanding how power, protection, and parenting are negotiated when the rules are shaped by more than one system.
What you'll hear about in this episode:
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How Diana's international background and lived experience as an immigrant informs the way she practices family law and advocates for clients across cultural lines (2:06)
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What "jurisdiction" really means in international and cross-border divorce (5:00)
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How cultural norms around gender roles, finances, and marriage can deeply impact the divorce process (11:05)
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Strategic realities behind custody negotiations, including when equal timeshare is about optics or money rather than actual parenting (13:08)
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How international and long-distance custody and relocation cases are evaluated, including the factors courts use to decide whether a parent can move with children (24:46)
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What parents need to understand about documentation, communication, and evidence in high-conflict and cross-border cases (34:40)
✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here.
Learn more about Diana Romanov: Diana Romanov is a San Francisco family law attorney, licensed in California and Germany, and a certified Family Law Specialist. Fluent in English, Russian, and German, she provides counsel, representation, and mediation services across cultural lines.
Previously a prosecutor at the Regional Superior Court of Berlin, Diana practiced with Beiten Burghard & Wegner and Linklaters Oppenhoff & Raedler. She earned the Justice and Diversity Center's Outstanding Pro Bono Award (2012–13) and was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star for her client care and legal expertise. Diana holds a J.D. in family law from Freie University School of Law (Berlin) and an LL.M. in US Legal Studies from Golden Gate University.
Born in Kiev and raised in Germany, Diana's multicultural background enriches her empathetic approach. Drawing on her own divorce experience, she founded a boutique firm to deliver personalized, efficient solutions in custody, support, mediation, alimony, and asset division.
Resources & Links:
Get Your Curated Podcast Playlist
Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate
The Divorce Survival Guide Resource Bundle
Phoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment Collective
Kate on Instagram
Kate on Facebook
Kate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch
The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube!
Seven Step Mindset Reset for Divorce
Diana's website
Diana on LinkedIn
Diana on Facebook
Diana on YouTube
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DISCLAIMER: THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLO
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