Divorce validation proceeding in Spain one year from US divorce?

[bluegill 0]

Long sad story short, I had a relationship with a Spanish exchange student I met in college. We made all the arrangements to get married and we did in December 2012. Unfortunately, things didn't work out. In November 2014, I found out that she had been on some dating websites and I lost my trust in her (I am pretty sure she cheated on me). We went to marriage counseling, but ultimately there were irreconcilable differences... and in 2015 we went through divorce proceedings here in the USA. At that time she had already filed for the removal of conditional permanency. The court ruled in both of our favor as all arrangements concerning finances and property were agreed upon outside of court; we did not have children. Since that time, I am certain that she has contested and had the conditional status removed because she is still here with a good paying job and a new boyfriend, even though being away from all her family and friends back in Spain was "so miserable for her."

Well, she emailed me today to notify me that divorce proceedings are taking place in Spain. She apparently hired a lawyer to help her file and take care of the proceedings, and she is mailing me an official notice regarding the proceedings. Apparently the proceedings involve validating the divorce that happened in 2015 in the USA, and it could take several months. She said that I am not responsible for any filing costs. However, I am nervous about a legal procedure occurring without having some representation. Should I be concerned? What if the judge orders some kind of alimony for me to pay or something like that? Why would she hire a lawyer if she didn't intend to sue me or something?

[LionessDeon 2,060]

No sure why the Spain proceeding is necessary. Do they not recognize USA divorces? That may be why she hired an attorney. If she's here but applying for a Spain divorce she would need someone to handle those proceedings there in Spain.

[WandY 430]

Your divorce decree in USA is absolute. Anything in Spain is meaningless. Don't worry about it.

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

I bet all she's doing is registering the already done divorce. You are already divorced. You can't get divorced again.

[Mollie09 1,543]

Some countries require the "legalization" of the completed US divorce to be recognized. You're not getting divorced again, she's just registering the divorce with Spanish courts.

I'm in the same process with Brazil and they require the ex-spouse to sign an affidavit that the separation of property has been done and some other things. They actually require I hire a Brazilian lawyer to do so, not because I want to sue my ex. PM me if you need more info.

Edited August 12, 2016 by F1H1I130

[Harmonia 211]

Here. Google gave this info. Its a process for a non-EU divorce to be recognized in Spain. Seems like a formality, no representation needed. The divorce judgement is final already.

http://www.tuexequatur.com/english/info/

[Lidia & JB 4]

It's a painless, no brainer formality, and it won't take MONTHS, it will take as long as the Spanish bureaucracy works. This is my 2nd marriage, back in Paris I had to go to the Portuguese consulate to register my divorce. I only had to provide the French divorce decree translated in Portuguese, and some 4 weeks later I received a letter saying it was done. I could then remove my ex married name. BTW I'm Portuguese.

[RodDetroit 118]

Long sad story short, I had a relationship with a Spanish exchange student I met in college. We made all the arrangements to get married and we did in December 2012. Unfortunately, things didn't work out. In November 2014, I found out that she had been on some dating websites and I lost my trust in her (I am pretty sure she cheated on me). We went to marriage counseling, but ultimately there were irreconcilable differences... and in 2015 we went through divorce proceedings here in the USA. At that time she had already filed for the removal of conditional permanency. The court ruled in both of our favor as all arrangements concerning finances and property were agreed upon outside of court; we did not have children. Since that time, I am certain that she has contested and had the conditional status removed because she is still here with a good paying job and a new boyfriend, even though being away from all her family and friends back in Spain was "so miserable for her."

Well, she emailed me today to notify me that divorce proceedings are taking place in Spain. She apparently hired a lawyer to help her file and take care of the proceedings, and she is mailing me an official notice regarding the proceedings. Apparently the proceedings involve validating the divorce that happened in 2015 in the USA, and it could take several months. She said that I am not responsible for any filing costs. However, I am nervous about a legal procedure occurring without having some representation. Should I be concerned? What if the judge orders some kind of alimony for me to pay or something like that? Why would she hire a lawyer if she didn't intend to sue me or something?

did she even registered the marriage license in the Spanish embassy ? if she didnt, Spain wont recognize your marriage automatically . Dont worry about it , you are divorced in the US, thats what it matters.