Divorce can be difficult domestically, but when one or both spouses were married in America but divorced somewhere else, the process can become even more difficult. While not impossible, international divorce can be logistically challenging to resolve, and if either spouse lives in the U.S. it may not be treated as valid stateside. 

For a spouse living in a foreign country, it is recommended that they seek advice at the U.S. embassy or consulate as to how to proceed. In most cases, the United States will accept a foreign divorce as long as procedural components, like notifying the spouses in the proper manner, are observed. 

International divorce can be especially challenging if children living in the U.S. are involved, or U.S. government pensions are involved. When these issues arise, the foreign court is unlikely to issue a ruling on them in order to respect the lack of jurisdiction that country has over U.S. citizens. Issues of child custody and child support will then need to be adjudicated by the local court in the U.S. that can oversee the matter.

If the spouse filing for divorce lives in the U.S., that also leads to a complicated matter. The international divorce will need to observe all of the local and state laws in the U.S. regarding divorce while potentially also being subject to international codes of laws such as the Hague Service Convention. Questions of how to serve the divorce and who has jurisdiction over the divorcing spouses can significantly impair proceedings. 

If you are attempting to divorce a spouse who is a resident of another country, you will need an experienced divorce & family law attorney. A divorce & family law attorney can help to navigate the tangled webs of procedure and bureaucracy in order to expedite your divorce as efficiently as possible. 

The best place to find a divorce & family law attorney is Attorney at Law. 

At AAL, our nationwide network of attorneys and law firms allows us to match you with a divorce & family law attorney in your area. Our partners have the resources, legal expertise, and experience to untangle the most fraught divorces and secure you the priorities in your divorce. 

In addition to a distinguished case record, our partners also excel in client care. At AAL, we understand the difficulty of going through a divorce. That’s why our partners make sure to keep you up to date and in the know while they seek to bring about a quick and equitable separation. 

Don’t wait. Contact AAL today for a free, no-obligation consultation and assert your marital rights.