such thing as unrecognized marriage?

[PurpleHayesParticipant 3]

Can you go to a country and get a marriage that is recognized by the church, that will not be recognized by the USA, so that you cannot file for divorce here?

[KeymasterKeymaster]

What an excellent question. Made it sticky. Perhaps a (divorce) attorney can answer that one.

If you keep doing what you've always done... you're gonna keep getting what you always got.

[ILiveAgainParticipant]

I think it depends on the church or faith.

In the depths of my twisted mind, I seem to remember African Zulu weddings may be worth a look. If I get time I will check.

Realistically you’re going to be looking at some sort of tribal affair ….. but all said and done, once back home …. the law will find a way of extraction.

[RusskyParticipant 13503]

I would assume that the court will go off the notion that if it walks like a marriage, if it talks like a marriage – then it’s a marriage.
In such case testimony of a wife should be enough.
It’s all double standards with courts. If it’s a family court – we have a marriage. If it’s an immigration court – you will be questioned and evidence examined to make sure it wasn’t a fictive marriage. Depending on a circumstance. I’ve been fictively married, so I know this first hand

proud carrier of the 'why?' chromosome

[BeerParticipant 11832]

I’d gladly get married if there was a marriage that wasn’t legally recognized.  It would be the true test of a woman…you give her the wedding and the vow of commitment she wants, yet you don’t give her power to your finances, which women will claim they don’t care about even though we know they are full of s~~~.

[BestoftherestParticipant 285]

Great question but you’re operating under the assumption a small bit of legal work could made it valid.
I can easily see a judge enforce a marriage that wasn’t “enforced on face value” in the US. If you find a place and it stands a legal challenge, wonderful. If that happens just keep in mind common law marriage.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."
Abraham Lincoln

[ShinyParticipant 2307]

Sorry, I just saw this.

Malaysia.

As an Islamic state – only muslims allowed in government positions – Christian priests / ministers in Malaysia do not automatically get registered as celebrants, as they do in the West (part of a priest’s ‘faculties’ to administer the sacraments, and doubtless similar for a Prot minister). I am told there are ways for a priest / minister to get around this but they are prohibitively complicated. Hence, if a non-muslim, the standard procedure is simply two ceremonies – one in church for the faithful, one in the government offices to get your legal marriage certificate. (Or 3 if you are inter-faith – had a Catholic sister-in-law who married a Hindu guy, they did all 3 ceremonies, both religions and the registry office).

I say this as someone who did it nine years ago, in Kedah (Penang diocese).

Probably works in other muslim countries.

I’ll add the caveat already mentioned though – Western courts will still recognise common law / defacto marriages. You’ll still need a pre-nup, as mad as that is.

“Honey, in as much as we are not getting married, please sign here…”

[Chucks_RevengeParticipant 216]

ABSOLUTELY there is such a thing. Y’see it isn’t the fancy wedding ceremony that completes the contract. Nor is the consummation that follows legally binding. What is legally binding is SIGNING the contract. When you sign the marriage certificate and deliver it to the court to be filed THAT is what seals your legal doom.

Now keep in mind that there is, in many states, such a thing as a “common law marriage” where you need only spend a certain amount of time with a woman. That time varies by state. My state, Washington, does not recognize common law marriage. On the other hand it does hold men accountable for child support. In fact in some cases they have assessed child support when the victim isn’t even the father. The rule is if you “bond” with the kid and they can’t get the money out of the father they can come after YOU legally. Ain’t that some bulls~~~?! The smart move, therefore, is to talk to a lawyer in your own state to ensure that you aren’t falling into some kind of trap.

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