my wife is divorcing me from another state, where do i need to have a lawyer

by Hulda Lesch 9 min read

Because your state would not have jurisdiction over property or children located in another state, I recommend that you seek the advice of a divorce attorney in that state before filing for divorce in your state as the state where your wife and children are would likely have jurisdiction over most of the issues your divorce would seek to resolve.

Full Answer

Can I divorce a spouse who lives in another state?

Divorcing a spouse who resides in another state might seem like a complex matter, but it only requires a few extra considerations at the outset with regard to the question of jurisdiction before moving forward. All but three states (Alaska, South Dakota and Washington)...

Do I need a lawyer for my out of state divorce?

Most divorces, especially out of state divorces, involve a detailed legal and financial analysis. And, if you have children, you must also address the complexities of child custody and support payments. A lawyer can ensure that your case is properly handled and your rights are fully protected.

Can divorcing parties move to different states before legally separating?

If divorcing parties physically separate and move to different counties, or even different states before legally separating, this can raise questions as to where to where the jurisdiction is in order to file for the dissolution of the marriage or the legal separation.

Can I get a divorce in another state after getting divorced in Texas?

Once you get divorced in Texas, the divorce should be recognized in any other state. Similarly, if you do need to get divorced in another state because you do not meet Texas’ residency requirements, your divorce should also be recognized in Texas.

What should you not do during separation?

5 Mistakes To Avoid During Your SeparationKeep it private. The second you announce you're getting a divorce, everyone will have an opinion. ... Don't leave the house. ... Don't pay more than your share. ... Don't jump into a rebound relationship. ... Don't put off the inevitable.

How long do you have to be separated before you can file for divorce in the state of Indiana?

60 daysIndiana divorce law requires a separation period of 60 days before a divorce can be finalized. The couple does not need to be separated prior to filing for divorce, but the court does require this waiting period before the divorce can be finalized.

Can we divorce without going to court?

No it is not possible for you to take divorce legally without going to court. If both parties are ready than go for Mutual Consent Divorce in which case you will have to appear in court only 4 times on different dates. If your marriage is legally solemnized than only way for legal divorce is through Court.

Can you get a divorce without the other person signing the papers?

Overview: It is not necessary that both the spouses have to agree to file for a divorce. One of them may file for a divorce without the others' consent if they are sure that they have strong grounds for breakdown of the marriage.

How Do I File For Divorce When My Spouse Lives Out of State?

Residency RequirementsMost states have residency requirements before you can file for divorce. (Alaska, South Dakota, and Washington do not have th...

What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Filing in Different States?

Every state has its own laws concerning divorce, child custody, child support, and alimony. If you and your spouse live in different states, it is...

What If Both Spouses Have Filed at About The Same Time in Different States?

Sometimes, both spouses file for divorce at about the same time. Called “concurrent filing,” this can complicate a divorce. However, the general ru...

Do I Need A Lawyer For An Out of State Divorce?

Unless your divorce is very simple and uncontested, it is in your best interest to hire a family law attorney. Most divorces, especially out of sta...

Where do you file for divorce when you live in different states?

Generally speaking, a divorce action is filed in county of the state that the Defendant (non-filing spouse) lives. However, state law may allow for an exception to file where the Plaintiff (filing spouse) lives when the Defendant resides out ...

What is the requirement for a court to hear a divorce?

In order to hear a divorce action, a court must (1) have subject matter jurisdiction, (2) have personal jurisdiction over the parties, and (3) be the proper venue.

How does personal jurisdiction work in Georgia?

Second, the court must have personal jurisdiction over both spouses. Personal jurisdiction is the power the court has over the parties in the case. To establish this power over the spouses, the spouses must have minimum contacts with the state in which the court is located. The court has personal jurisdiction over the spouse that resides within that state if that spouse has been a resident of that state for the state’s minimum residency requirement. In Georgia, a party must have lived in Georgia for at least 6 months preceding the divorce filing in order to satisfy the minimum residency requirements.

How long do you have to live in Georgia to get divorce?

In Georgia, a party must have lived in Georgia for at least 6 months preceding the divorce filing in order to satisfy the minimum residency requirements.

Where is the venue for a divorce?

Generally, venue is the county where the Defendant lives. If the case is being filed under the long-arm statute or the Defendant waived personal jurisdiction then generally the case will be filed in the county where the Plaintiff lives.

Who has personal jurisdiction over a non-resident spouse?

The court may have personal jurisdiction over the non-resident spouse (1) under the state’s long-arm statute or (2) when the non-resident spouse waives personal jurisdiction.

Can a spouse file a lawsuit if the spouse lives out of state?

However, state law may allow for an exception to file where the Plaintiff (fi ling spouse) lives when the Defendant resides out of state. The analysis of which state to file can be complex and complicated especially when the spouses have lived in multiple states.

What is jurisdiction in divorce?

Jurisdiction within divorce proceedings essentially represents a state court’s authority over a couple’s marriage, and each state has unique jurisdiction rules that must be abided by. An example would be if a married couple lives in California, an Ohio court wouldn’t have authorized jurisdiction to preside over their divorce ...

How long do you have to wait to file for divorce in California?

Even if both spouses are lifelong California residents but move to different counties, they’ll have to wait at least three months in their new county of residence prior to filing for divorce. You’ll need to ensure that you’re properly prepared to provide evidence of your residency in this type of situation, which means being able to provide the court with a copy of your lease, your driver’s license or voter registration.

How to give notice to spouse of divorce?

This means that a sheriff, process server, or some other qualified person will provide your spouse with the necessary documentation pertaining to your divorce petition .

What are the issues in divorce?

However, state laws can make a big difference in a divorce proceeding in terms of some common issues, including child custody, spousal support, child support and the division of property. All states will have different child support formulas that determine how much one spouse will pay another.

What happens when you first file for divorce?

First to File. When both spouses meet their current state’s residency requirements, then there will be two eligible states that have jurisdiction over the divorce proceedings. This means that the state in which the divorce is first filed will undertake the jurisdiction over the divorce proceedings. An example of this would be a couple having their ...

How long do you have to live in California to get divorce?

In California, the residency requirements are that a spouse must live here for at least six months and at least three months in the specific county in which the divorce is to be filed in order to authorize the state’s jurisdiction.

Why do courts have to honor divorce?

The Full Faith and Credit Clause within the Constitution asserts that courts must honor any divorce proceeding that is granted within another state because states must always honor any court orders that come from other states.

What is subject matter jurisdiction?

Subject Matter Jurisdiction. Jurisdiction over the action itself is called subject matter jurisdiction. Often, the statutes of a state will identify which courts of the state may hear a dissolution or separation action. Frequently, however, either circuit or superior courts have subject matter jurisdiction over dissolution or separation actions.

How long do you have to be a resident of a state before filing for divorce?

For example, many states require that an individual is a resident of the state for a certain number of months before filing for divorce or legal separation.

What is the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act?

In addition to all of the above jurisdictional considerations, an additional statute must be considered when the parties have children. Currently all states except Maryland have adopted some form of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Enforcement Act (UCCJEA).

What to do if my spouse is separated?

Once a spouse files for divorce or separation, if distance is a factor, the best course of action would be to contact an attorney to determine your jurisdictional options prior to responding.

What to do if you are served with a court document in a different state?

Because of this, if an individual is served with any court documents in a county or state different from his residence, his or her best course of action would be to contact an attorney in the state where the action was originally filed to discuss his options for contesting jurisdiction of the court and to determine the best course of action for establishing where jurisdiction would be preferred so a case can be commenced as quickly as possible and the preliminary issues of the case can be addressed.

What does the court look for in a child's case?

The courts will also look at whether another state would have jurisdiction over the child under the act, whether the child and a parent have a significant connection to the state, and whether the majority of the evidence and witnesses are located in the state.

What is personal jurisdiction?

Jurisdiction over the husband, wife, and children, if any, is called personal jurisdiction. That means the court has the authority to issue orders binding the persons involved in the action. Personal jurisdiction may be a little more difficult to determine in certain instances than subject matter jurisdiction.

What happens if you divorce in two states?

If two different states are eligible to have jurisdiction over a marriage, the state that takes jurisdiction will be the state where a divorce petition is first filed. This could give the filing spouse an advantage in a contested divorce, since he or she will not have to travel as far to participate in hearings and the trial. The out-of-state spouse may also have to hire an attorney in the state where the divorce is pending instead of using an attorney from his or her home state.

What happens if you have two different states in a divorce?

If two different states are eligible to have jurisdiction over a marriage, the state that takes jurisdiction will be the state where a divorce petition is first filed. This could give the filing spouse an advantage in a contested divorce, since he or she will not have to travel as far to participate in hearings and the trial. The out-of-state spouse may also have to hire an attorney in the state where the divorce is pending instead of using an attorney from his or her home state.

How to contact a divorce attorney in Rhode Island?

Please contact us online or call our Warwick office directly at 401.946.3200 to schedule your free consultation. We help divorce clients in Providence, Warwick and all areas of Rhode Island.

Can you divorce a spouse who is still living together?

The road to divorce is not always straightforward. Some spouses decide to separate while still living together, but others will enter divorce proceedings after years of living apart—sometimes after one spouse has moved to a different state. Divorces involving spouses living in different states are often more complicated than those filed by spouses ...

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Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later. The road to divorce is not always straightforward.

What happens if both spouses file for divorce?

If each spouse meets the residency requirement of his or her respective state, a situation may arise in which both spouses file for divorce. Generally, the state where the divorce petition was filed first takes jurisdiction over the proceedings.

How to get a divorce notice?

You must be able to provide notice to your spouse in some form. The best way to establish that the other spouse actually received your complaint or petition for divorce is by having him or her “served.” A process server, sheriff or other qualified individual provides the necessary documents to the other spouse. Other options may be available, such as sending the documents via certified mail or publishing the impending divorce in a publication for a certain period of time. Discuss your case with a family law attorney to ensure that service is proper because if notice is not provide properly, the divorce can be declared invalid.

What are the issues that can be resolved in divorce?

However, there are variations in how different states treat issues related to the divorce, including alimony, child support, child custody and property division. Consider if one of the states where you may be eligible to file for divorce has any favorable laws that may work in your favor before you file for divorce.

Can another state honor a divorce?

However, there are certain situations in which another state may not recognize or honor a divorce. For example, if you failed to properly notify your spouse of the divorce proceedings, the state will not recognize the divorce. Likewise, if the court never had the authority to decide the case, a court may refuse to honor the divorce.

Do courts honor divorces?

Courts must usually honor divorces that are granted in other states. This specific provision is provided through the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution. States must honor valid court orders from other states. However, there are certain situations in which another state may not recognize or honor a divorce. For example, if you failed to properly notify your spouse of the divorce proceedings, the state will not recognize the divorce. Likewise, if the court never had the authority to decide the case, a court may refuse to honor the divorce. If you failed to meet the residency requirement and proceeded with the divorce in your home state, the court in your spouse’s case can refuse to honor this order.

Does divorce matter in your home state?

Whether you choose to file for divorce in your home state or your spouse’s may depend on a number of cases. If your case is straightforward and you and your spouse both agree to the material terms of the divorce, the state where you actually file for divorce may not matter. However, there are variations in how different states treat issues related ...

Can a divorce be complicated?

Getting a divorce becomes more complicated when spouses no longer live in the same state. In some situations, a spouse has moved to another state right after the couple recently separated. In other cases, the spouses have continued separate lives in different states for several years.

How to find out if divorce is recognized in a foreign country?

The best thing to do to find out whether your divorce will be recognized or enforced in a foreign country is to contact an attorney in that country. An experienced lawyer in your foreign country should be able to advise you whether your divorce will be recognized in the courts there. You can contact your embassy to obtain a list of attorneys.

What to do if your state does not recognize your divorce?

If you're concerned that your state may not recognize your foreign divorce, contact your state’s Attorney General for guidance or, if necessary, hire a private, experienced family law attorney from your area.

Does a state recognize a foreign divorce?

If the spouse who is the defendant, or respondent, in the divorce case received timely notice of the court proceedings, a state is more likely to recognize the foreign divorce .

Does a foreign divorce decree have to be recognized?

States will consider various factors when they decide whether to recognize a foreign divorce decree, including: If at least one spouse was living in the foreign country during the divorce proceedings, a state is more likely to recognize the foreign divorce decree.

Does each state recognize divorce decrees from another country?

Beyond those two prerequisites, it is for each state to decide whether it will recognize a final divorce decree from another country. This is because divorce law is not federal, but rather a matter left to the discretion of each American state. States will consider various factors when they decide whether to recognize a foreign divorce decree, including:

Do you have to have service of process for divorce?

Both spouses had notice of the foreign divorce proceedings. If one of the spouses was living in the U.S. at the time the divorce action was filed, that spouse must have received service of process (meaning, timely deliver of the divorce documents).

Is divorce painful?

Getting a divorce is daunting. It can be a painful and emotional process that saps time and money from two spouses and multiplies their feelings of anger and betrayal. But if that wasn’t hard enough, imagine divorcing in another country, a place where you aren’t as familiar with the laws and procedures of the official court system.

How long do you have to be separated to file for divorce in Texas?

If you are filing a divorce case based on living separate and apart, you can use part of that 3-year separation period to acquire residency in Texas and the county in which you will be filing. Texas’ residency requirement allows either party to file the divorce case based on the other party’s residency. This means that even if your spouse leaves ...

How long do you have to live in Texas to file for divorce?

This means that if you were the one who moved away from your spouse to go to Texas, you could actually file your divorce case in Texas as soon as you’ve lived there for 6 months.

What is the number to contact for a no fault divorce in Texas?

For a free legal consultation on your case, contact our law offices today at (817) 719-8082.

How long do you have to live in Texas before filing a case?

In addition to being a resident of Texas, you must also be a resident of the county you are filing in for the 90 days preceding your filing. This means that if you or your spouse moved apart within Texas, you must have lived in your new county for at least 90 days before you can legally file your case there.

Do you have to stay in Texas for separation?

Even if you are getting a no-fault divorce based on separation, there is no requirement that both of you need to stay in Texas during the separation period. A Texas divorce based on “living apart” requires the parties to live separately and apart for “at least three years” under Texas Family Code § 6.006. This law does not require either party to stay in Texas. In fact, staying in two separate states entirely is excellent evidence that you truly were living “separate and apart” during those 3 years.

Can you move back home after divorce in Texas?

Whether you are seeking a no-fault divorce or simply living separately while the divorce is pending, one spouse might decide that they want to move back home or otherwise leave Texas.

Is Texas a resident of Texas?

Texas, like most states, has a “residency requirement” for divorce cases . Under Texas Family Code § 6.301, either party can be a resident of Texas for the divorce case to be legally filed, tried, and finalized by a Texas court.