Indian Man Allegedly Harassed by Wife for More Sex, Seeks Divorce

The Times of India reports that a family court in India granted a decree of divorce to a man claiming his wife is an aggressive and adamant sex addict.

The husband petitioned for divorce in January, and said in the petition that “it was intolerable for him to bear any more atrocities and he also apprehended danger to his life and limb.”

The Thailand divorce attorneys at Chaninat and Leeds have successfully filed thousands of court divorce and uncontested divorce cases in Thailand.

In the court ruling, Judge Laxmi Rao stated, "Due to respondent's (wife's) non-appearance before the court, the petitioner's (husband's) evidence remains unchallenged on record. Hence this court has no option but to accept his evidence as it is and he is entitled to a decree of divorce as prayed.”

Read the full story here.

Divorce Lawyer Gets 2 Years in Tax Evasion, Eavesdropping

Making headlines in California, a Federal judge has sentenced a female divorce attorney to two years in prison for tax evasion and illegal wiretaps.

The female divorce attorney, name Mary Nolan, is a veteran attorney with many decades of experience. She was accused of setting up her client’s spouses with fake DUIs with the help of a private investigator.

In the scheme to win more financial settlement for her clients, Nolan paid an investigator to plant illegal listening devices in her client’s spouse’s cars. The investigator would then pay beautiful women to buy the spouses drinks in bars and restaurants and when they get into their cars to drive home, they would get pulled over by tipped off law enforcement officials. 

This scheme was allegedly intended to discredit the spouses by hurting their characters in court.

Character evidence and evidence of bad conduct is often prescribed in divorce cases according to Chaninat and Leeds divorce attorney, Jiraporn Thongphong, especially during child custody cases. Investigators are often employed to uncover evidence about the opposing spouses, and used to discredit them in courts, however creating contrite evidence about an opposing spouse is often times not needed because backgrounds and histories will usually suffice.

Read the full story here

Millionaire asked ex-wife to stay on as maid

A UK ex-wife of a millionaire was asked to stay on as a maid in the home she shares with her ex-husband for over twenty years after their divorce, reports TheTelegraph. Since the ex-husband is moving in his new partner, he had thought the arrangement would be ideal for all. Understandably, the ex-wife was upset as she found the request insulting. The unnamed couple, who was married in the 70’s, but divorce later continued to live together as “usual” in the marital home for over twenty years. A high court judge in the UK has determined that she was entitled to half of her husband’s total net worth.

This is a perculiar case since the couple continued to live together for so long after a divorce was already granted. The main issue that most attorneys reading this would struggle with, in cases arising over 20 years prior to origination is the statute of limitations, or the prescription period is the length of time that had passed. In Thailand, similar to mother other nations, the prescription period for various cases could be found in the Thailand Civil and Commercial Code. According to Thai Attorneys, a case like this, concerning statutes of limitations, would generally be difficult to litigate, after such a long period of time. 

For the full story, click here

Related Videos:

International Prenuptial Agreements

Many of these couples sign prenuptial agreements while in foreign countries (international prenuptial agreement). Often, couples believe that once the agreement is signed and the couple is married, that the agreement will be effective and valid within any country.

Unfortunately, this is not the case. For example, a Thailand prenuptial agreement is invalid unless it is officially registered in Thailand before the marriage. This is not the case as with the US and the UK.

This video prepared by Thailand Attorneys Chaninat & Leeds explains more:

Related Articles: Prenuptial Agreements: US Law, Thailand Law and EU Law Compared
International Prenuptial Agreements: Conflicts of Law in the United States
European Prenuptial Agreements and the Hague Convention
Prenuptial Agreements in Japan - the Devil’s in the Details

Divorce and Marriage in Thailand

In marriage in Thailand a dream or a nightmare for expats? For many the marriage is a dream, for others the dream turns into a nightmare.

Sometimes a fatal nightmare.

Thailand Family Attorneys 

Chaninat &Leeds specialize in Thai and international family law  

Britain Ian Beeston came to Asia, fell in love, bought a dream home and imagined spending the rest of his days there with his new wife.  A retired design engineer, he left the UK to find a new existence in Thailand. He met a young woman named Wacheerawan at a beer bar in the seaside resort of Pattaya and, despite the age difference, they married.

Tragically for Beeston, he didn’t enjoy his new life for long. His wife plotted to have him stabbed to death so she could enjoy his money with her secret boyfriend.

Very sadly, Beeston is not the only one to find his Thai dream turn into a nightmare. 

Read our full article here. 

Related Articles:  

International Divorce Cases and Prenuptial Agreements

Protection Of Assets In a Divorce

Some couples choose the option of drafting a prenuptial agreement prior to marriage in order to safeguard their independent assets. On the other hand, those without a prenuptial agreement in place may face a struggle to entitlement of mutual assets at the time of divorce. Protecting yourself from financial harm and being financially independent are key factors that one should take into great consideration when going through a divorce situation.

If you have an instinct that the divorce will be a long drawn out battle, there are steps which you can take action before the formal process of a divorce. Generally, in a Thailand divorce situation, the assets that were acquired prior to the marriage will belong to the original spouse. In this video, managing partner Joe Leeds of Chaninat & Leeds Law Firm discusses in brief how different types of assets can potentially be harmed and provides an approach in safeguarding assets.  

Related video

 

Flicker photo credit - dno1967b

Top 10 Most Expensive Celebrity Divorces

It was announced last week that Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have decided to separate after more than 10 years of marriage. If they decide to make things more permanent and divorce, it could be the most expensive divorce in history.

Celebrity divorces tend to be more expensive and complicated than "normal" divorces due to the amount of size of assets and wealth involved.

Thailand Divorce Attorney 

Chaninat and Leeds are specialist divorce attorneys 

Bold sky have this week compiled a list of the most expensive divorces in history. Rupert and Anna Murdoch so far top the list.

Although litigation can be an unpredictable process and the laws of different countries may vary, an individual with significant assets, or even an individual who is merely careful about his/her financial future, may find it beneficial to have a prenuptial agreement. In the event of a divorce, a prenuptial agreement can assist with dividing the marital assets. Thailand prenuptial agreements differ from western prenuptial agreements in that they are null and invalid unless they are registered before the marriage. 

Read the whole list here 

Relevant Video:

Relevant Articles:

Prenuptial Agreements: US Law, Thailand Law and EU Law ComparedInternational Prenuptial Agreements: Conflicts of Law in the United StatesEuropean Prenuptial Agreements and the Hague ConventionPrenuptial Agreements in Japan - the Devil’s in the Details

Flickr photo credit: david_shankbone 

1.8 Million Pound Divorce Settlement Set Aside

Courts in the UK have set aside a 1.8 million pound settlement agreement, after it was discovered the husband had not made full financial disclosure about all of his personal assets. 

The couple cannot be named, but the judge has told the husband he may now have to pay more after a judge ruled that couples have a duty to be honest with each other when making such deals reports The Telegraph. 

Thailand Divorce Lawyers 

Chaninat and Leeds specialize in divorce law in Thailand 

The Court heard that the businessman had shares worth up to £740,000 in one company which had a £50 million turnover but that he had told his wife the company was not trading and therefore had a ‘nil value.’

When couples divorce in Thailand, separate property, namely assets and property acquired before marriage, generally remains the property of the owner. Assets and property acquired during marriage are commonly considered community property with both spouses having ownership rights.  

Read the whole article here 

Relevant Video:

Related Documents:Thailand Divorce Law

Divorce:Marriage and Divorce in Thailand: When Love Turns DeadlyThailand Marriage and Divorce: Thai Dream or Foreigner’s Nightmare?

Texas Divorce Relies On Unique Immigration Clause

We suspect Steve Summers is now long regretting signing the affidavit in support of his bride, Mexico-born Evangelina Zapata's US residency application, for according to Fox News Latino, she is now using the very same document against him to claim alimony.

Thailand Divorce Law 

Thailand Attorneys, Chaninat and Leeds specializes in Thai and international divorce law 

Mr Summers signed an affidavit vowing to support Ms Zapata so that she would not become a “public charge” but she is now arguing that he should support her at 125% of the federal poverty level unless she becomes a U.S. citizen, works for approximately 10 years in a job which pays into the Social Security system, or fails to keep the permanent legal residency status.

US Immigration Attorneys warn that people need to pay attention to this case and remember the implications signing such an affidavit can bring. 

Related Documents:

Thailand Divorce Law

Divorce:

Marriage and Divorce in Thailand: When Love Turns Deadly

Thailand Marriage and Divorce: Thai Dream or Foreigner’s Nightmare?

US Divorce Feud Spans 17 Years

A 17-year legal fight between two law professors over their divorce and continuing disputes has received sharp criticism from judges who say the former spouses are setting a bad example, or rather a good exmaple of how exactly not to behave in a courtroom. .

The feud between University of Cincinnati professor Christo Lassiter, 56, and his former wife Sharlene Boltz, 52, has lasted seven years longer than the couple's 10-year marriage. 

Thailand Divorce Law 

Chaninat and Leeds specialize in Thai and international divorces 

Historical issues were with regards to the couples two children, now 17 and 20, but it is understood than financial issues are yet to be resolved. 

A new hearing date has been scheduled for 6 September. 

Generally speaking, if one or both spouses are currently residing in Thailand a divorce can be petitioned under Thailand family law. If the divorce is jointly requested, the divorce proceedings should be relatively simple. If one of the parties is unwilling or unable to proceed in the divorce proceedings, the legal process of filing for a divorce in Thailand then becomes more complicated. Thailand is a "Community Property" jurisdiction. When a couple divorces in Thailand, separate property (sin suan tua), namely assets and property acquired before marriage, generally remains the property of the owner.

Related Video:

Related Documents: 

Thailand Divorce Law 

Divorce: 

Marriage and Divorce in Thailand: When Love Turns DeadlyThailand Marriage and Divorce: Thai Dream or Foreigner’s Nightmare?

Simon Cowell Named In New York Divorce

It will have been impossible to have missed the recent headlines that Simon Cowell has been named in divorce papers. New York divorce law is one of the few American states that still allows a for cause divorce with adultery being a commonly plead cause.

However, this week it has been revealed that adultery is also a criminal misdemeanor under New York criminal law, and if convicted an individual can face up to 3 months imprisonment. It is highly unlikely that Simon would however face prosecution.

In Thailand divorce law, for cause divorces are also permitted if one spouse does not agree to the divorce. There are many different grounds for divorce in Thailand  which can also be pleaded.   A contested divorce however requires a judgment from the Court. If the petitioning spouse is now living abroad, a Thailand lawyer can file a divorce claim on their behalf.  However, they must appear in person when the divorce claim is heard by the court.

Related Video:

Related Documents:
Thailand Divorce Law

Divorce:
Marriage and Divorce in Thailand: When Love Turns DeadlyThailand Marriage and Divorce: Thai Dream or Foreigner’s Nightmare?

Are English Prenuptial Agreements Enforceable?

Many people still believe that English prenuptial Agreements are still not legal valid, and whilst that is still technically true, English courts have in fact started to uphold them in the event of a dispute.

Prenuptial agreements can help create a financial plan that can be managed through the course of marriage and in the event of a divorce, to control the division of assets between the husband and wife.

Thailand Prenuptial Lawyer 

Chaninat and Leeds law firm specialize in drafting international prenuptial agreements 

In 2010, English courts upheld a prenuptial agreement, and since then, more and more courts have been showing a willingness to uphold and follow the terms of prenuptial agreements. This is of course still a discretionary power, as they is no specific law yet providing for prenuptial agreements in England, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

There is presently formal legal consultation ongoing about prenuptial agreements, and it is thought they could become legal towards the end of 2013/early 2014.

Thailand lawyers advise that prenuptial agreements will be null and void unless they are officially registered in Thailand before the marriage. Prenuptial agreements are not registered in Western countries.

Related Video:

Relevant Articles:  Prenuptial Agreements: US Law, Thailand Law and EU Law Compared                                              International Prenuptial Agreements: Conflicts of Law in the US                                               European Prenuptial Agreements and the Hague Convention                                              Prenuptial Agreements in Japan - the Devil’s in the Details                                              The New Developments in the United Kingdom

 Thailand prenuptial attorneys, Chaninat and Leeds explain that prenuptial agreements which have international aspects to them, may fall under different legal jurisdictions which have different requirements. It is therefore important to ensure any Thailand prenuptial agreement addresses those needs and is valid under Thailand Prenuptial Law.

Prenuptial agreements are a specialized form of contract because governments play a far larger role in prenuptial agreements because they regulate family affairs. This is different to most standard legal contracts.

Different jurisdictions have different requirements for what makes a prenuptial agreement valid.

The important thing to remember about prenuptial agreements is that their quality  will only be tested when an attempt is made to enforce by one of the parties. Unlike  a new car, which can be test driven, or a a new electrical item which should offer a warranty allowing a defective or faulty product to be returned or exchanged, there is no way of knowing the validity of the prenuptial agreement you have entered into, unless divorce proceedings are commenced. If there is then an issue with the the prenuptial agreement being defective, it may be too late to change it.

Jurisdiction issues are better explained by way of an example.

If there is only one jurisdiction involved in a prenuptial agreement then matters tend to be straightforward. For example, Couple A live, get married, get divorced, and have all of their assets in California. Any prenuptial agreement should be relatively straightforward as there is only one jurisdiction - California.

In contrast, things can change when there are two or more different jurisdictions. Couple B met and got married in Thailand, but then moved to New York. After commencing divorce proceedings, Mr B decides to stay in New York, but Mrs B returns to Thailand. They have joint assets in Thailand and the US. Any divorce proceedings or enforcement of a prenuptial agreement would be far more complicated than in the first scenario because Thailand and the US operate under different legal systems. There could well be a conflict between those laws.

It is important therefore that any prenuptial agreements anticipates this issue.A consumer may therefore wish to consider instructing a practitioner who has both divorce and prenuptial litigation experience and is confident with international issues.

Watch the video here:

Related Documents: Thailand Prenuptial Law

Related Articles: U.S. Prenuptial Agreements in Thailand: Why Thai Law is Important
                                         International Prenuptial Agreements: Conflicts of Law in the United States
                                         Prenuptial Agreements: US Law, Thailand Law and EU Law Compared
                                         International Prenuptial Agreements: Issues for Prenuptial Agreements in the United States
                                         U.S. Courts and the Application of Foreign Law to International Prenuptial Agreements
                                          Prenuptial Agreements Could Be Challenged