You need to consult a family law attorney in your state familiar with divorcing someone who is outside the country. Most states will allow a divorce if one of the parties is a resident (usually met after living in the state for 6 months or more).
If you've been married less than five years and have no children, you may qualify for a simpler way to get divorced (summary dissolution).
One of the most important things to consider when pursuing a cross-border divorce is whether it will be recognized in the United States. California courts will not accept a foreign divorce unless one of the spouses had a domicile in that country. California law defines a domicile as a “true, fixed, permanent home and ...
Countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the U.K. regularly work with U.S. courts to enforce alimony orders across international borders. However, enforcing an international alimony order may take more time than enforcing a domestic one.
Divorcing your spouse when they live overseas is not as difficult as you may believe. While it is a bit more complicated, logistically, the divorce process is functionally the same as for two people who live in California.
The citizen spouse must sign a contract (I-864) with the Federal government promising to support the non-citizen spouse financially. In most cases, even if the couple divorces, the citizen spouse must continue to support the non-citizen spouse.
The timeline for an international divorce is not straightforward due to the numerous factors that play a role. It fundamentally depends on the laws and processes of the countries involved, the couple's agreement, and how contested the divorce is. Generally, this may range from several months to a few years.
Misconduct: Certain behaviors can also lead to the disqualification of alimony. For instance, if a spouse is found to have engaged in financial misconduct, such as hiding assets or failing to disclose financial information during the divorce proceedings, this can result in disqualification.