Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
Divorce
Married in Canada, Divorced in the Dominican (neither party went to Dominican), reside in Massachusetts. Is my divorce legal?
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Divorce
Your divorce is legal if it was legal under the laws of the Dominican Republic, and if treaties of which the U.S. is signatory grant the decree effect through "comity." However, I cannot answer either question without further research, and/or consultation with the State Department or other Federal officials who would know. I would urge you to pay a lawyer to do the research.
In addition, it may not have effectively and legally divided property, and almost certainly did not properly award any child-related relief that was needed. As to the latter, ONLY Massachusetts would appear to have had jurisdiction.