Family Lawyer in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Family lawyer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for international families. Elias Kier Joffe and his team of English-speaking attorneys handle divorce, custody, property division and support in Argentina while you stay where you live.
Since 1940
Headquartered in Buenos Aires
Featured in
The New York Times & BBC News
English-speaking lawyers
Family law anywhere in Argentina
WATCH THIS 1-MINUTE VIDEO
then schedule your
FREE 15-MINUTE VIDEO CALL
Call or WhatsApp us to book it with attorney Elias Kier Joffe.
Family law in Argentina for international families
English-Speaking Family Law Attorneys in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Why Family Cases Get Harder Across Borders
When one spouse lives abroad, or the home, the bank accounts and the children are in different countries, every step gets harder. Argentine courts work in Spanish and follow their own rules. A mistake can cost you years, or the assets you were counting on.
Handle Your Family Case Without Traveling
You don’t need to move back or put your life on hold. You sign a power of attorney where you live, have it apostilled, and we represent you in Argentina. If the judge calls a hearing, it can usually be held by video. We handle cases anywhere in Argentina.
Clear Costs, Timelines and Updates in English
No surprises. We explain every option in plain English, give you a written estimate of costs and timelines before we start, and update you at every stage. You’ll always know where your case stands.
Divorce, Property and Support in One Place
A divorce, custody of your children, an apartment in Buenos Aires, a bank account or a family business to split, child support to set or collect, a divorce granted abroad to register here: we handle the whole picture, so nothing falls through the cracks between countries.
One Point of Contact for Legal, Tax and Notarial Matters
We are a one-stop legal solution. Our team includes lawyers, accountants, Argentine notaries (escribanos) and certified translators, all under one roof and coordinated by attorney Elias Kier Joffe. When needed, we also work directly with your own lawyers and accountants back home, for example on a divorce case in your country or the tax impact at home.
Our family law services include:
✓ No-fault divorce in Argentina, by agreement or requested by one spouse.
✓ Divorce when the other spouse lives abroad or can’t be located.
✓ Division of marital property: real estate, bank accounts and businesses.
✓ Child support (alimentos): setting, updating and collecting it.
✓ Economic compensation for a spouse after divorce (compensación económica).
✓ Recognition and registration in Argentina of divorces and orders granted abroad.
✓ Settlement agreements on property and support, drafted to hold up in court.
✓ Child custody and parenting time (cuidado personal), including moving a child abroad.
✓ International child abduction cases under the Hague Convention: returning a child or defending a return request.
✓ Prenuptial agreements (convención matrimonial) to choose separate property before the wedding.
✓ Our own lawyers, accountants, notaries and certified translators, working with your advisors back home when needed.
Simple process
How Our Family Law Firm in Argentina Handles Your Case
1
Case review
You tell us about your family, the assets and where everyone lives. We explain your options in plain English.
2
Power of attorney and documents
We prepare the power of attorney and a document checklist. You sign abroad; no travel needed.
3
Agreement or court case
We negotiate an agreement when possible, or file and manage the court case, and keep you updated at every stage.
4
Divorce, property and support settled
The divorce is registered, the property is divided or sold, and the support is set and paid.
Who you’ll work with
Meet Your Argentine Family Lawyer, Elias Kier Joffe
Hi, I’m Elias Kier Joffe. My grandfather founded this firm in Buenos Aires in 1940, and I’m the third generation leading it.
I know what you’re facing. A family breakup is hard enough, and now you have to deal with courts, lawyers and paperwork in another country, in another language, from far away. My job is to make that simple.
I oversee every case personally, and I’ll always tell you the truth about your case, even when it’s not what you want to hear.
You’ll always know who’s looking after your case: me.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to Argentina?
No. You sign a power of attorney in front of a notary where you live and have it apostilled, and we represent you in Argentina. If the judge calls a hearing, it can usually be held by video, and we tell you upfront if your case needs anything else.
How much does a divorce cost in Argentina?
It depends on your case. Here’s what moves the price:
• Whether you and your spouse agree, or one of you asks for the divorce alone.
• Whether there is property to divide: homes, bank accounts, a business.
• Where the assets are located: in one province only, or in several.
• Whether there are children and child support has to be set.
• Whether your spouse lives abroad or can’t be located.
• Whether a divorce granted abroad has to be recognized in Argentina.
Simplest case: you both agree, there is nothing to divide and you file together. Most complex: the property division is contested, the assets are in several provinces and there is a support claim. After your free 15-minute consultation, we send you a written quote, so you know the number before you commit.
How long does a divorce take in Argentina?
The divorce itself is usually the quick part. Since 2015, Argentina has no-fault divorce, and neither spouse can block it. What takes longer is everything around it:
• Whether you agree on property and support.
• How many assets there are and where they are located.
• Whether your spouse lives abroad and has to be notified there.
• Whether there are children and support has to be set.
Simplest case: a joint divorce with an agreement on everything. Most complex: a contested property division with assets in several provinces. We give you a realistic timeline after reviewing your case.
If we sell the marital property, can I receive my share abroad?
Yes. Once the property is divided or the sale is agreed or authorized by the court, we can sell it with your power of attorney and transfer your share to your bank account abroad, following the exchange rules in force at the time.
Is a divorce granted abroad valid in Argentina?
Often, yes, but it doesn’t update Argentine records on its own. If you married in Argentina, or own property here, the foreign divorce usually has to be recognized or registered in Argentina first. We review your divorce decree and tell you exactly what’s needed.
My child was taken to or kept in Argentina without my consent. What can I do?
Act fast. Argentina is a party to the 1980 Hague Convention on child abduction, like the U.S., Canada and most of Europe. We can ask an Argentine court to order the child’s return, working with the Central Authority in your country. If you’re the parent asked to return a child, we defend you. Timing matters: after one year, a return can get harder.
Your next step
Talk to a Family Lawyer in Buenos Aires Now
Not sure where to start? That’s what the free 15-minute consultation is for. We’ll listen to your situation, explain your options in plain English and tell you the next step.
Give us a call or send us a WhatsApp message today, and we’ll get back to you the same day—even on weekends.
General information only. Divorce, marital property, support, conflict-of-laws and tax consequences depend on the specific facts of each case.