Short time between divorce finalized and re-marriage. Red flag?

[mrss13 2]

So I'm actually doing DCF, but I thought it might be better to ask this here in a more general forum. I was married to a Canadian and lived in Canada. The laws in Ontario state that there must be a year of separation before a divorce. The separation doesn't have to be legally documented, so since we were poor and did everything without a lawyer, the separation wasn't documented. What also complicates things is the fact that we lived together as roommates during part of the separation. (This is common in that area, and is permitted until the same divorce laws)

We had to file two "rounds" of paperwork. The first, we filed before I left the country. The second had to be filed three months later, with a 500 dollar fee. I left the fee with my ex when I left the country for the second round, but he spent the money on other things, which delayed the paperwork from being processed. Long story short, the divorce wasn't finalized until January of this year. For some reason, the documents I have for the divorce (I had to order them, as my ex has refused to assist me in obtaining anything.) don't state anything but the date the divorce was finalized. I re-married this April after knowing my husband for 10 months.

We have a large amount of proof in terms of letters, messages, photos, trips together, facebook posts, and cohabitation together in in Korea, where we are teachers. We also have letters from friends and family explaining our relationship and how it came about even though I was still legally married. The only part that is a problem is showing financial co-mingling. As foreigners in Korea, we cannot own property or even open a joint bank account. I have some paperwork showing transfers between our Canadian bank accounts but that's it.

We are nearly the same age and are very similar in terms of background, personality, etc.

So, is this a huge problem? Could I do anything else to help ease my case along? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Edited June 7, 2013 by elee09

[KLS2010 30]

This is just my experience, so take it as you will.

I had a similar situation to you - I was only just separated from my then husband when I met my new husband. Same thing in Australia (where I'm from) - 12mth separation before you can file for divorce. Same thing about them allowing co-habitation during the separation period, which I did for a little while in between trips to the US. My current husband (USC) and I were married 3mths after my divorce was finalised.

The short time frame was never bought up at any stage of my process.

I don't have any experience with the embassy in Korea (I'm assuming that's where you will interview), so I can't really say how they will view it there - hopefully someone who has been through there can chime in soon with their opinion. I would imagine that they would have an understanding of their country's laws regarding foreigners not being able to open joint accounts etc, and would take that into consideration.

I guess all you can do is make sure you gather as much evidence you can in the other areas, and maybe when having to send evidence, provide a short explanation as to why you can't include much financial information.

Good luck with it

[Hornet 2]

I got remarried 6 months after my divorce was finalized here in the USA, and my ex-wife is a foreign national too. She wanted not me.

I talked to a lawyer and she just recommended I attach a letter explaining my situation. I think it helps if that USCIS officer gets to know you as they read your file, you become a person to them and not just a number.

I had no problem from NOA1 to NOA2. No RFE's I included about 2 dozen pics also with captions under neath the pics.

Now I'm just stuck waiting for over a month at NVC because of their I-864 AOS screw up with the new form! It's always something with that agency!

[mrss13 2]

Thanks for the info.. I'll probably add a letter. My father spoke to the situation a bit in his support letter too, so that probably helps. Thanks, all. I hope your process starts to go more smoothly, Hornet!