Elias Yiannatsis

Lawyer

at Elias Yiannatsis (Ηλίας Γιαννατσής)

+30 6 981 316 921

Athens

Greece

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I am a member of the Athens Bar Association and I am practicing as a lawyer at court. I specialize in family disputes, including domestic violence cases, cross-border disputes (e.g. international child abduction) and cases of LGBTIQ+ families, while I also practice criminal law.

I am a graduate of the Athens Law School and I hold a Master’s degree in Private International Law and International Transactions Law from the same University.

I speak Greek (mother language), English, Italian, French and German.

Subsidized legal aid is not possible

Relevant experiences and positions

I completed my LLB in Athens National and Kapodistrian University and I also got an LLM in Private International Law and Law of International Transactions in the same university. I have also completed a semester at the University of Copenhagen, focusing on international law.

As a member of the Athens Bar Association, I have handled several family law cases with international element before the Greek courts, while I have also assisted in cases before foreign courts drafting legal opinions about Greek Law and providing evidence as a Greek Lawyer. I used to be a partner in Yiannatsis & Associates Law Firm, while now I am a solo practitioner.

As a pro bono member of the NELFA legal team (Network of European LGBTIQ* Families Associations) I’ve worked with same sex couples living abroad pursuing the recognition of their legal status in Greece and I have advocated for legislative reforms in family law.

Some personal questions

What makes international divorce cases different from other divorce cases?
The complex jurisdiction and international private law rules, which apply, make it a unique field of law, where partners need to be very cautious regarding their legal steps and strategy.

What do you believe to be one of the biggest problems when dealing with international divorces?
Usually, each partner wants to pursue the divorce proceedings in the jurisdiction which is closer to him/her, making the lis pendens rules and the capacity to move “fast” of outmost importance.

What is your advice to couples who are starting an international family?
Be sure that you have a safety plan and a supportive network in both your country of origin and the country you are residing. It will be important in case things do not turn out well. Try to keep your independence both in financial and personal level. Creating a family means also to respect each other’s autonomy.

What advice do you have for same sex couples who want to formalize their international relationship or start an international family?
It is important to check the requirements for the recognition of your family in all the countries you are “involved” legally, namely your country of origin, countries where you have property that you may wish to pass on your children, or in general countries that you may need to travel for work.

What is your advice for children of international families, when their parents are divorcing?
You have a saying on what’s going on between your parents and even if you can’t control the situation right now, everything will get better in the future. Your experiences make you unique and you deserve only love.

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