Enforcing Orders in Non‑Hague Countries

When the other parent lives in a country that hasn’t joined the Hague Child Support Convention, enforcement is still possible—just less standardized. You’ll combine local law in the foreign country, U.S. court orders, and practical tools to motivate payment.

Start with information. Identify the parent’s exact location, citizenship, employer, and assets. Confirm whether the country recognizes U.S. judgments under its own civil‑procedure rules or through bilateral agreements. Your state agency may have experience with common destinations; ask for country‑specific guidance and contacts.

Routes to recognition. Without the Convention, foreign courts may still recognize a U.S. support judgment via “exequatur” or comparable procedures. Typically you’ll file a petition in the foreign court with certified/apostilled copies of the order and proof of service from the original case. Expect requirements for local counsel and translations.

Leverage assets reachable from the U.S. If recognition abroad is slow, target assets that touch the U.S.: bank accounts at international institutions, payments from U.S. companies to the parent (contractor fees, royalties), or property located in the U.S. Domesticate your arrearage judgment in states where assets sit and garnish or lien there. If the parent travels to the U.S., serve them with motions or contempt proceedings while in jurisdiction.

Employer and platform pathways. Many multinational employers will honor U.S. IWOs or court directives even when the employee resides abroad, especially if payroll runs through a U.S. entity. For gig and freelance platforms headquartered in the U.S., subpoenas and garnishment orders can reach payouts flowing through U.S. accounts. Tailor orders to identify the correct payor entity.

Passports and travel. Significant arrears can trigger U.S. passport denial or renewal holds. While not “enforcement” in the foreign country, passport problems often motivate payment or settlement for expats who need travel flexibility. Coordinate with your agency to certify balances promptly.

Safety and strategy. Some countries penalize debtors harshly; others provide little help. Weigh whether aggressive tactics could endanger the child or local caregiver. Consider mediated settlements that set realistic payments through international wire or platform transfers with clear case numbers in the memo for SDU crediting.

Documentation and patience. Non‑Hague paths take time and expert help. Use a bilingual attorney with local standing. Keep ledgers impeccable and provide “as of” arrears spreadsheets. Budget for translations, notarizations, and apostilles.

Bottom line. Outside the Hague system, you can still reach income and assets using U.S. leverage, local recognition procedures, and travel‑document pressures. It’s slower and more custom, but with precise paperwork and the right counsel, money can move.

Disclaimer: Educational information only; not legal advice. Laws abroad vary widely and change over time. Consult your child support agency and qualified foreign counsel.

Case study. A designer relocates to a non‑Hague country and freelances for U.S. brands through a U.S. marketplace. The custodial parent domesticates an arrears judgment in the platform’s home state and serves a garnishment on the platform’s U.S. payor entity. Payouts are diverted to the SDU until a settlement is reached that includes a percentage of monthly earnings plus a lump sum from a U.S. tax refund. Meanwhile, local counsel files an exequatur petition abroad to recognize the order in case the debtor opens a local bank account. Sequencing U.S. leverage with a parallel foreign filing yields results without relying on a single system.