Foreign Marriage and Foreign Divorce

The current situation is a nightmare, even after 7 years' living apart from my ex who was from another EU member state, it cost far more to be divorced. Once it becomes multi-jurisdictional, the lawyers must clap their hands in delight. No point in trying for a DIY divorce either, it isn't allowed.

My Nordic ex, was happily living in Turkey, outside the EU, without forwarding his address. (Probably to avoid being caught for little things like child support etc). He could marry again there or in his own EU country after living apart from me for 2 or 3 years. He was as free as a bird. I on the other hand was still 'married' because I was Irish and we married here. It took over 8 years after we had been living together, to get a divorce, which ended up costing over 5k. I was 'awarded costs', which meant I paid, and he was responsible if he was back here and they could get him - some chance of that!

In a bizarre twist, because he wouldn't get a solicitor, my solicitor acted for him too. He agreed to a divorce only if I didn't look for anything from him (which I had never sought anyway). Apparently it was the first time a divorce here was dealt with through email and accepted with an electronic signature. Even though the property is registered in my sole name, the lending institution won't take his name off the mortgage as my earnings supposedly aren't high enough, even though I've now been paying the mortgage for over 11 years singlehandedly without any type of maintenance or child support. I feel the system doesn't serve married people divorcing very well. It all seems quite straightforward if you're Irish, your partner is Irish and neither of you are ever leaving here or would marry a non-Irish person.

The Irish divorce system penalises the most law abiding people who actually have most respect for marriage. It facilitates those who have no ties in Ireland and no respect for marital status or law.

1k for the Barrister for one day. Then the Solicitor pretended to do a GREAT deal for me by "only" charging almost another 5k. I paid him another 4,200 amid lots of arguing about the extortionate charge. He threatened to bring me to the civil court and put a charge on my home, with some ridiculous interest rate. Robbery, there was no property to settle, no custody, visitation rights, no child support or alimony to settle, myself and ex at that point both agreed to the divorce. House was in my name in land registry already, so that wasn't an issue but the mortgage remained in both names, as I said the Bank won't do anything about that despite the fact I've been paying the mortgage by myself well over a decade. I've almost finished paying it now anyway, another thing that won't matter very soon. All in all it has cost a lot and taken AGES.

No, I applied after 7 years living apart. Yes, it was multi-jurisdictional, however, as we both agreed on it, there was nothing sought from either party, it was really just the Irish divorce paper which was required in this country. Both I and my ex responded very quickly, any problems after my application were caused by the solicitor as a matter of fact.
It was a large bill, and considering how other countries would view a marriage where both parties are living apart well over 7 years and agreed to the divorce, it is ridiculous.

I'm sure he was well paid for every second he spent on it.

The AGES I was referring to was the final detail where the Bank has the ex's name on the mortgage. In fact, in all other divorces, this aspect is dealt with DURING the divorce by the solicitor.

However, I am sure you are either The AH Solicitor I used, or Another one, so your sympathies will lie with the one charging huge fees for some paperwork, incompletely and very tardily done.

You seem to have a great interest in my particular divorce and the cost, Mustard Seed. I know exactly what went on there, you are surmising from the bare bones.

However, happily I don't need anymore advice on it, it's finished and I've moved on, things worked out extremely well for me, in spite of the solicitor being worse than my ex. I only wish him all the unpleasant karma he deserves.

Your opinion isn't really of interest, which is why I've put you on my Ignore list.

I was making the point on this forum generally, that in Ireland any aspect of marriage and non nationals, or marriages/divorce outside the state create unnecessary problems and extra expense. Even on this forum, there are so many stories of people's second marriages not recognised here, lots of extra expense to re-divorce, so Ireland will recognise it etc. People being married in the North or in England.

Anyway, I've since found a very good solicitor who charges reasonable rates for excellent work, it is immediately recognisable when you have a good solicitor rather than a con man. And, the wonder of the age, she is not at all condescending.

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