I got married in a courthouse in Christiansfield, Denmark years ago with my boyfriend who was stationed in Europe at the time.
It was pretty much a shotgun wedding. We remained married for four years, but the marriage didn't work out, so we divorced in the states through the county courthouse system with the paperwork we had brought over.
I'm obviously still married in Denmark because neither of us took care of legal matters over there.
Can this bite me in the *** later? If I strike it rich or acquire a long-lost inheritance...or whatever...lol..Can he legally claim anything of mine, if he is technically still married to me?
2007-08-21 18:55:22 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
You are divorced, not just in America but everywhere.
Marriage is a legal contract. The fact that you made your original contract in Denmark and dissolved the contract in America makes no difference. The contract is dissolved, you are no longer married and he has no claim on you just as you have no claim on him.
2007-08-21 19:17:49 · answer #1 · answered by John B 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly? It depends on the amount of money you're worth (in the future tense). If a person is desperate and greedy, and get hold of a smart lawyer they can probably find some legal loophole to make you legally liable. After all you ARE still married in the country where you got wed, and that can be exploited, or not. Ugly as this sounds, if you're worth a few thousands, you can take it easy. But if that figure is ratcheted upto a million or more, that kind of money can make anyone's head spin. Even if its not about money, and you get married again in future or have children, its always going to be a door left open. Why not just tie up all loose ends and feel really safe?
2007-08-22 02:05:45 · answer #2 · answered by RealChic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go back to where you were married and file papers or whatever it is you have to do just to cover your bases. Because there is a good possibility that he could claim anything you might acquire later on. Even though you are divorced over here..but it will still showed you married over there. I would probably get the advice of a lawyer to see what you should do.
2007-08-22 02:02:59 · answer #3 · answered by XxSaRaHxX 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your best bet BigMach, is to verify with the Danish authorities. (ei. little chance you'll find a judge or lawyer from Denmark on this site). Maybe it can be dealt with by e-mail & (hardcopy) correspondance. Unless you re-marry, you're stuck with the Divorce title 'til your 6' under for all legal purposes (trust me, I know). And I'm sure the matter will come up even after we're both dead and buried. So, you may as well make sure it's done right to keep the books tidy
2007-08-22 03:53:25 · answer #4 · answered by The one with a tail... 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd find a consulate who deals with Denmark laws on marriage's , divorce's and deaths and get it sorted I dont know how out of country marriages are dealt with but I do know Australian's married out of the country are supposed to redo their vow's legally here or did 12 years ago might have changed.
Dont risk it.
2007-08-22 04:01:54 · answer #5 · answered by JadeyOz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He can only claim half of what you had while you were married and living together. Anything you make after you were separated and you can prove when you were separated then he cant claim anything you have earnt on your own after the both of you separated. Just make sure you have documentation to prove how long you have been living apart. Why not get a divorce, then there wont be anything to come bite you on the arrse?
2007-08-22 02:03:16 · answer #6 · answered by rightio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You said you got a divorce in the States...That means you're legally divorced no matter where you live. My aunt and uncle got married in Paris but divorced 10 years later in the States. Both have remarried. The divorce is binding no matter where you married.
2007-08-22 02:06:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You did get a divorce, so he has no claim on anything form that point on out.
You can get a copy of the divorce decree if you can, and take it to Denmark to file there.
You need a copy of that decree anyway.
2007-08-22 02:09:25 · answer #8 · answered by revsuzanne 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as the US is concerned you are divorced..... so unless you plan on going back over there you are fine. If you do come into any money I am assuming it would be in the US and it is only US laws you need to be concerned about.
2007-08-22 02:05:46 · answer #9 · answered by ♥♥♥MiSSY♥♥♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Supposed so since legally both of you are married & no papers of divorce.
Why not get a lawyer for a clean break?
2007-08-22 02:02:38 · answer #10 · answered by Rootbeer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋