In a previous post, we discussed the complications that arise when one parent takes a child out of the country with the intent to never return. These are referred to as international parental abduction cases and many times arise from child custody disputes.

We've looked specifically at how Japan is reluctant to help the United States when it comes to international child abductions even if the fleeing parent has violated a court order. One father has been fighting to regain custody of his two children who were brought to Japan by his ex-wife.

Japan has already refused to assist the U.S. in extraditing the man's ex-wife. She brought the two children to Japan in the fall of 2009. Since then, the father who was awarded joint custody when the two divorced has not seen or spoken with his kids.

The courts had previously issued an order for her arrest in an attempt to bring her back to the U.S. When this did not work, the father resorted to filing a civil suit against her for breach of contract, false imprisonment, and even intentional infliction of emotional distress. She has recently been ordered to pay millions of dollars and could be ordered to pay more the longer she refuses to bring the children back to the States.

The father filed the lawsuit in the hopes that it would bring his children back. While Japan does not honor custody orders, they are more likely to enforce monetary judgments. The ex-wife has already been served with the documents that inform her of the amount of damages she must pay.

The father simply wants to see his children again. Despite being granted joint custody, he has missed out on nearly two years of being involved in his children's lives.

Source: The Tennessean online, "Order for ex-wife to pay millions doesn't make up for time lost with kids, says Franklin father," Brandon Gee, 10 May 2011