Divorce

[air117]

What is the name of your state (California)?

I got married 10 years ago in los angeles..In 2008 my wife kidnapped my children and left the country..

I want to get divorced now and want to know what type of divorce I should file for..Lawyers are too expensive for me right now so appreciate any advice I can get..

 

[Silverplum]

What is the name of your state (California)?

I got married 10 years ago in los angeles..In 2008 my wife kidnapped my children and left the country..

I want to get divorced now and want to know what type of divorce I should file for..Lawyers are too expensive for me right now so appreciate any advice I can get..

Most counties in CA have self-help centers. Call yours and see if they do. If so, utilize their services.

 

[mistoffolees]

Most counties in CA have self-help centers. Call yours and see if they do. If so, utilize their services.

Or start here:
California Courts - Divorce or Separation

However, it will not be easy to get a divorce without the help of an attorney in OP's situation.

 

[LdiJ]

Or start here:
California Courts - Divorce or Separation

However, it will not be easy to get a divorce without the help of an attorney in OP's situation.

It may not be too hard to get just the divorce, but the divorce certainly couldn't include any child custody issues or property issues (for property not located in the US).

Under the Hague Convention the children would be legal residents of the other country and the US would no longer have any jurisdiction over them, as they have resided in the other country for more than two years.

Also dad, strictly speaking legally, mom did not kidnap the children. As married parents you both had equal legal rights where the children were concerned. You had a chance to take action to have the children returned to the US, but you didn't do so.

 

[Silverplum]

Under the Hague Convention the children would be legal residents of the other country and the US would no longer have any jurisdiction over them, as they have resided in the other country for more than two years.

Also dad, strictly speaking legally, mom did not kidnap the children. As married parents you both had equal legal rights where the children were concerned. You had a chance to take action to have the children returned to the US, but you didn't do so.

HOW do you KNOW that??

 

[LdiJ]

HOW do you KNOW that??

I guess I don't. However, one would think that if he had done so, that he would have mentioned it. That would be a pretty important factor.

 

[mistoffolees]

I guess I don't. However, one would think that if he had done so, that he would have mentioned it. That would be a pretty important factor.

Or maybe it wasn't an option - if ex went to a non-Hague Convention country.

 

[LdiJ]

Or maybe it wasn't an option - if ex went to a non-Hague Convention country.

That is also a possibility, although there are remedies even with non Hague Convention countries. You have to use the courts in those countries, but there are remedies that can be attempted.