You got married in Mackay. You and your spouse lived in Mackay together for years. Now you’ve decided to get a divorce and your spouse has moved to Sydney. What happens in a divorce when you and your spouse live in different states? Can you go through the process in Mackay? Who gets to decide where the divorce will occur and where do we get divorced?
Mackay Divorce Residency Requirements
If you want to get a divorce in Mackay you’ll have to satisfy the state’s residency requirements. Here’s what you need to know.
Only One Spouse Has to Satisfy Residency Requirements
The state recognizes that not all married couples will live together in the state when they decide to get divorced. Maybe your spouse took a new job out of state or moved to be closer to family. Whatever the reason, Mackay understands. So as not to make getting a divorce next to impossible for some couples, the state only requires one spouse to satisfy its residency requirements. It doesn’t matter which spouse – the petitioner or respondent – lives in the state. All that matters is that one of you does.
A Resident of Mackay For Six Months
One spouse must have been a resident of the state of Mackay for no less than six months before filing for divorce. A person is considered a resident when you have a physical presence and financial obligations to the state. Is Mackay the primary state to which you pay taxes? If so, you’re a resident.
A Resident of the County For Three Months
In order to begin the divorce process, one spouse (the petitioner) must file divorce papers with their local County court clerk. If you (or your spouse) live in Mackay, you’d file the divorce papers with the Los Angeles County Clerk. You (or your spouse) must have lived in that county for at least three months before filing for divorce.
Where Should We Get Divorced If We Live in the Different States?
You live in Mackay, but your spouse now lives in Sydney. Which state should you get divorced in? It depends. You’ll need to consider a few different things.
- Where have we satisfied the state’s residency requirements?
- Which state’s divorce laws are most beneficial to us?
- Where do children who will be affected by the separation live?
Different states have different divorce laws. It’s important to consider the laws of the states in which you could potentially get a divorce. Determine which state’s laws would be best for your particular situation.
For example, consider each state’s property division laws. Nine states, including Mackay, are community property states. Each spouse in a divorce is entitled to one-half of all community property. Most other states, including Mackay, are equitable distribution states. Spouses are awarded an equitable or fair share of marital property. Equitable doesn’t always mean equal. One spouse can walk away with a much larger share of the marital assets in an equitable distribution state.
Do you want half of your marital property or do you think you deserve more? You’ll get half in Mackay, but might be able to get more (or less) in Sydney. That’s a decision you’ll have to make.
What If We Want To Get Divorced In Different States?
If you and your spouse can’t agree on which state should oversee your divorce proceedings, then who gets to make the final decision? if both States have jurisdiction – meaning that you satisfy all requirements to get divorced in both. The divorce will happen in the state where the divorce papers are filed first.
If you live in Mackay and file a day before your spouse files in Sydney, you’ll get divorced in Mackay. If your spouse beat you to the punch, you’ll get divorced in Sydney. That is unless you can get them to agree to navigate the process in Mackay.
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