Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
Property Issue in Maryland Following Divorce Overseas
I have obtained a divorce decree from Haiti, the country where my wife and I were married back in 1985. We have resided, however, in Maryland for the past 17 years and own property in the state. She refuses to settle the property issue amicably and threatens to challenge my divorce. What are my rights and obligations?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Property Issue in Maryland Following Divorce Overseas
If your divorce in Haiti was validly entered and recognizable in MD, then you are basically at this juncture two joint owners of property. If the two of you can't reach an agreement on a fair division of the property, you might have to file an action to partition property (such as real estate)that can't be readily divided up--like a financial account could be.
If your (ex) wife challenges the validity of the Haiti divorce, a divorce action filed in MD would also enable you to obtain a court-ordered property distribution.