Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts

Re: Marriage

If under the law of St. Maarten they are legally married, then they are legally married here.

You retain your maiden name under soc security until you file the appropriate forms with social security to change your name from maiden to married.

Your friend needs to file for divorce if she no longer wants to be married.

: Marriage

The initial integrity of the marriage is measured by what the law is in St. Maarten, not in the US. U.S. is there to recognize if the formalities of the marriage have been executed. If they were, then they are married. There is no requirement to sign a certificate on their return, and it does not matter nor is it interesting what her social security says.

If you have any other questions, contact me.

Re: Marriage

I guess it depends what type of documents either one can produce to show they were married. What type of documents exist from St. Maarten? Did they file their taxes jointly? Did they buy real estate together as joint tenants by the entirety? Did the wife use her married name for legal purposes? If there is no evidence of a marriage,it would be difficult to prove.

Re: Marriage

To restate Mr. Lebensbaum's correct answer, a marriage is valid in Massachusetts if it was validly entered in another state or country.

She should be happy for this -- people who think divorce is ugly have no idea how ugly it can be to merely live together and have to sort out property and child-related issues -- without the help of ONE court in ONE legal action.