About Our Services
Professional Services
In response to the demand for specialized services associated with International Child Abduction cases, Dabbagh & Associate can assist with your professional needs.
Authentication & Apostilles
Authentication & Apostille
Official documents produced in the United States and have the seal of a notary public, state or federal official, are typically not valid in other countries unless they have been authenticated by the United States Government and legalized by the consulate of the desired country. The full authentication/legalization and apostille processes typically involve several government agencies and can be time-consuming.
Authentication Certificates
An authentication certificate validates a notary's signature and official notary seal as matching what is on file with the Secretary of State, Corporation Division. It does not validate the completeness or correctness of the notarization. The format of the certificate differs depending on the country of receipt. It is important to note which country the document is going to when requesting authentication from the Secretary of State.
Apostilles
If the country belongs to the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, the apostille is used. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of notarized documents by use of a special form called an "apostille" in certifying the document.
Approximately 50 countries have signed the Hague Convention on Documents, which allows for an abbreviated legalization process called an apostille. An apostille is an official state-issued stamp or attachment to any public or private document that makes the document legal for use in any country that has signed the Hague Convention on Documents.
The apostille does not need to be ribboned onto the document being certified. With the certification by the Hague Convention apostille, the document is entitled to recognition in the country of intended use, and no additional authentication or legalization is required. The "Apostille" attests to the validity of the signature of the notary public, county official or Oregon state official, but not of the underlying signature nor of the contents of the document.
A list of Countries belonging to the 1961 Hague Convention can be found at:
http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.authorities&cid=41%20
Mediation Services
Dabbagh & Associates offers mediation services. Maureen Dabbagh, Principle of Dabbaugh & Associates is a mediator certified by the Virginia Supreme Court and is qualified to handle cases referred by the Juvenille and Domestic Relations Courts.
Mediation is a process wherein the parties meet with a mutually selected impartial and neutral professional mediator who assists them in the negotiation of their differences. Mediation leaves the decision power totally and strictly with the parties, unlike arbitration where a judge makes a final decision. The mediator (sometimes referred to as a neutral) does not decide what is "fair" or "right," does not assess blame nor render an opinion on the merits or chances of success if the case were litigated. Rather, the mediator acts to facilitate communications to bring the parties together by defining issues and eliminating obstacles to communication, while moderating and guiding the process to avoid confrontation and ill will. The mediator will, however, seek concessions from each side during the mediation process.
States have different qualifications for mediator certification. Most require a specific course completion as well as a period of Mentorship. State Certification is required in most jurisdictions for a mediator to receive court referred cases.
Mediation is appropriate for Hague and non-Hague cases, where the partie are agreeable to meet for the purpose of developing an agreement regarding issues of custody, visitation, travel, etc. The agreement between the parties may be written up by the mediator as a "Memorandum of Understanding". This MOU can be filled with the court of competent jurisdiction and a Judge can sign it as an order if the parties so chose. Legal issues differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and parties to mediation wishing to validate any agreement should consult with legal experts in that jurisdiction. A mediator may not act as a legal advisor, even if they are a practicing lawyer. Parties to mediation may have their attorney present during mediation, as well as any expert or other interested party.
*This mediation process is not appropriate for cases with histories of family violence, high conflict or intractable disputes. Mediator are governed by a professional code of ethics.
Negotiation
Unlike mediators, the negotiator may or may not be a neutral party to the negotiation process. An example of this would be a Crisis Negotiator (Hostage Negotiator). Negotiation is a type of mediation. However, the field of negotiation includes a variety of methods as well as a vast arena of specialities and expertise ( i.e. business, peacekeeping, etc).
Dabbagh & Associates provides negotiation services in cases which are defined as intractable disputes. Unlike traditional family mediation, negotiators often exchange and negotiate the list of issues to be discussed in advance. Also, discussed is the location of the negotiations, the time and duration of the sessions, and the parties to be involved in the negotiations.
The negotiation process can be lengthy and involved multiple meetings over a period of time. In cases of international child abduction, negotiation can result in resolution in less than a week, or may take several months. The process has proven effective in cases of international child abduction where the "Hague" was not an option, the case has not been resolved.
Professional ethics govern negotiators. Negotiators tend to have additional training and certification or a degree in a specific area of negotiation. Dabbagh and Associates training, experience and expertise are in international child abduction issues. They have traveled worldwide to assist in facilitating resolution for families in crisis.
Prevention Services
Dabbagh and Associates provides professional services to attorney's, and individuals on individual cases of international parental kidnapping prevention. Professional services include risk assessments, court testimony, and case support.
Maureen Dabbagh has been qualified as an expert witness on international child abduction in more than a dozen states and has been provding testimony since 1997. She is Daubert/Fry qualified, with Appeals court decisions supporting her expertise.
*Indidivuals must have a professional referral to retain Ms. Dabbagh in this capacity. Attornies of record should notify Ms. Dabbagh to determine if services are appropriate to meet the client's needs.
Case Support
Dabbagh & Associates provides information and case support to professionals and NGO's in returning children. Dabbagh has provided case support working in cooperation with federal agencies within the USA and aboard and include law enforcement, diplomatic missions, NGO's and other agencies. Dabbagh's knowledge, and experience in working with multi-agencys has lead to the successful return of children through non-aggressive, legal avenues by recognizing the unique role various agencies play in processes, as well as their limitations. Coordinated, cooperative efforts by multiple agencies ensure the most effective and successful resolution through their combined expertise.
Call Dabbagh & Associates today to lern how we can serve you.
(434) 658-3050 EST
Monday-Friday
9:00am to 5PM
