Where to divorce
Costs by nationality
• Spain: Spanish expats can divorce via Spain's courts in four months or less. Christopher Lee, a solicitor with Domenech Abogados in Barcelona, charges from €1,800 (Dh7,067) (plus VAT) plus court agent's fee of €350. If there are no minor children from the marriage, the div-orce may take place through the Spanish Public Notary for a similar price, but quicker than four months.
• South Africa: Divorce for South African expats involves the resolution of all issues including children, division of assets and maintenance. Beverley Clark of Clark's Attorney's in Johannesburg estimates that a fairly smooth divorce with a previously agreed settlement, would cost between 20,000 rand (Dh5,466) and 40,000 rand with attorney representation. She adds that an unopposed divorce takes six to eight weeks .
• Scotland: Divorcing Scottish expats can complete the process in Scotland within two to three months if the process is uncontested. Lucia Clark, a solicitor with Morton Fraser in Edinburgh, says where there are no children under the age of 16 and where the basis of divorce is one of the separation grounds, this involves completing a form, which she can process on behalf of clients for a small fee, or which can be completed by the parties themselves. The court fee is £120 (Dh550). If there are children under 16, or if either the behaviour or adultery is involved, the divorce proceeds either to the local sheriff court or the Court of Session. The court fee is £150. For this Ms Clark usually charges £750 plus VAT for an uncontested divorce.
• UK: To divorce through the English courts when uncontested, Expatriate Law charges £1,200, depending on the seniority of the lawyer. Court fees of £550 and courier or service costs are charged in addition. Where clients do more of the work for themselves, they can also try a DIY divorce package for Dh1,400 or £280 – this involves a face-to-face consultation followed by the client completing the process themselves.
• France: Ina Bremer-Proust of CBBC Advocates in Paris says UAE-based French expats can divorce through the French courts with lawyers' hourly rates varying from €200 to €600 per hour. Ms Bremer-Proust adds that divorce is either based on a settlement or on litigation concluded by a judge's ruling. The settlement includes provisions for children and/or compensatory benefits, and spousal rights over assets. Once the settlement prepared by the respective lawyers is signed by the parties, a two-week term allows them to reflect on theterms. After that, the divorce is registered with a notary public to become effective and enforceable.
• Australia: Max Meyer, a partner at Pearson Emerson Meyer in Sydney, Australia, says his firm's costs for an uncontested divorce is between A$250 (Dh700) and A$1,500 with the court filing fee A$865. He says Australia has a "no fault" divorce jurisdiction. The only ground is "irretrievable breakdown of marriage" proved by 12 months' separation.
The author is a solicitor at Expatriate Law (London).
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