Client story
Client's Story
Where they started
After a difficult divorce, Inna was building a new life and wanted to move herself and her fourteen-year-old son to Europe—to obtain a Portuguese residence permit through an investment fund. Everything was in order with her part: the investment, the documents. The stumbling block was the child.
Why the standard route did not work
The point is that Portugal, as a state under the rule of law, protects the rights of both parents. To register a minor for a residence permit, as a general rule, the consent of the second parent is required—in this case, Inna's ex-husband. And he, in the aftermath of a difficult divorce, refused to give such consent, essentially using the child as leverage.
What BRIDGES had to solve
The situation seemed like a dead end: without the father's consent, AIMA would not register the son for a residence permit, and the father would not give consent. Many in such a position give up. But a law-abiding system that protects the rights of both parents also has a mechanism for when one of them maliciously blocks it—resolving the matter through court.
Why a standard answer would not do
Inna approached BRIDGES, understanding that the task was not to "persuade the ex-husband"—that would be useless—but to obtain a legal alternative to his consent: a court order that would grant her the right to determine the child's place of residence and education, which could be presented to AIMA instead of the father's consent.
After a difficult divorce, my ex-husband spitefully refused to consent to my son's residence permit—and without consent, Portugal will not move the case forward, as it protects the rights of both parents. It seemed like a dead end; he was holding the child hostage. Anna found a legal way out: through court, I obtained sole right to determine where my son lives and studies, with apostille. We presented this court order instead of the father's consent. Both of us obtained residence permits. My ex-husband could no longer block us.
