absent spouce

[Romeo]

I was married in San Diego in 1989. She and I split in mid 1990 and the last time I spoke with her was about mid 1991. I have no idea how to contact her, where she is or ANYTHING. I do have her SSN and things of that nature but don't know where to find her. The last time we did speak she was speaking of getting married again and said that she was going to send me divorce papers. Of course I've never seen those papers. I called the San Diego Circuit court and they said that she's never filed any papers. My question is how do I go about getting a divorce from this woman although I have no idea where she is? I would appreciate any advice given to me on this matter.

 

[Mann]

Are you still in California?

You would still need to contact a lawyer, but from wat I've read you can 'search' for her through a newspaper (in her last known location maybe?). If this is done properly and she does not respond you can proceed with the divorce in her absence.

 

[Romeo]

Thank you very much for replying. No I'm not in Cali anymore. I haven't been since around 91. I haven't seen her since 90. I'm in St. Louis now. I'm guessing that I place some sort of add in the paper in San Diego where she and I lived once? Once again, Thanx so much for replying.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Almost Correct

My response:

You would file your Petition for Divorce. Then, you'd file a Motion with the court to allow you to have the Summons published in a newspaper of General Circulation nearest to where she was last known by you to have lived. If you were to merely take out an ad, it would be worthless in your litigation without following the law and obtaining a judge's permission. And besides, if you were to take out an ad, what exactly would you say, anyway ? That's why there are laws and procedures for this.

You can get more details with specific laws and necessary pleadings by buying a book on divorce at your local bookstore and by following Missouri law.

Good luck.

IAAL