Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Divorce...US diplomat....$40K ring & other issues

I'm a US diplomat posted overseas, but a resident of VA. I've been married for 2 yrs and my husband borrowed $40K from me, signed a general statement in front of a notary stating he would pay me back (no date mentioned). During our marriage I briefly lived in his $1.5million house which he purchased before the marriage. During the marriage he went into many business debts and owes a ton of money. When he last visited, he took my $40K diamond wedding ring and won't return it.

We are about to file for divorce but he hasn't paid me back. Several Q's: Can I be held responsible for any of his debts incurred during our marriage? Can the court require him to pay the money he borrowed (is a promissory note a legal document)? Can he be required to return my wedding ring?

Things are getting ugly and he's threatening to say I cheated on him, and to spread photos of me with ex-bf's on the internet as well and send them anonymously to relatives, friends, colleagues to ruin my reputation. Being a diplomat, it would not go over well w/the US embassy & the host country and would affect my job. Do I have any rights against this as well?

I don't think I can afford a lawyer.

Best regards,


Asked on 1/07/08, 6:08 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Divorce...US diplomat....$40K ring & other issues

1.Probably, few if any of these debts would likely be ascribed to you in any measure.

2, Yes.

3. If not the ring itself, possibly then the value thereof.

4. The defamation speculated upon is more problematical, and, if now only threatened, cannot now be properly evaluated as to what action or recourse(if any) might be taken in response to it if it actually occurs.

Lastly, you would likely be well advised to rethink your last assertion, as it would appear that you may not be able to afford not to have an attorney, particularly, if now "things are getting ugly".

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Answered on 1/07/08, 10:27 pm


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