Question for anyone divorced

[orleans]

did you have to go back to the county you were married in order to sign divorce papers?

also, do the papers have to be notarized?

my friend's friend says he has to do this. that he can't sign the papers through the mail. i think it's crazy but i've never been divorced.

on edit: apparently he didn't sign some paper when they first filed for divorce and he doesn't have a lawyer. i guess he was told he has to have this notarized before a judge.

i don't understand why he can't go to a judge in his own county--& why he has to drive over three hours to do this.

[uppityperson]

1. No, you don't have to get divorced in the same county or even state you were married in.

Different states and counties probably have different rules as to what you can send through the mail. If you send something, getting it notarized is a protection for the person so it makes sense you might have to.

You have to go to the county where the divorce papers are filed. WA has a 6 month waiting period between filing and it finalizing. I am sure other states have other times for waiting, thinking Nevada may be minimal.

[RebelOne]

2. I have been divorced and as much as I remember,

my lawyer handled it all. I went before a judge and he declared my marriage ended. I do not remember signing any papers after that.

[BainsBane]

3. No, I was married in London and divorced in Austin, TX

There was never any suggestion I had to return to the UK to divorce.

[pink-o]

4. We were both living in San Francisco, where we got married

And we had no kids, no property, so it was just a matter of filing, paying the fee and waiting 6 months. But I got divorced in 96, the ex-husband didn't contest it and no lawyers got involved.

Times might have changed, and if circumstances are more complicated or states laws are different, anything is possible.

Good luck to your friend. Happiest day of my life when I got my final papers!

[elleng]

5. Probably not, as stated by others,

but every state is different. Almost SURELY not necessary to return to the same COUNTY.

And he shouldn't have to sign anything; a JUDGE would do that. Seems like facts missing: Is friend's friend arriving at an AGREEMENT to divorce? THAT might require a witnessed signature = notary.

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. This may not be relevant, as I'm Canadian

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My wife (ex) filed for divorce in the late 70's.

I did not want this to happen, so I signed nothing.

We separated, both living with no contact for years.

However, I did engage a lawyer (who did squat) in the 80's.

She managed to have the marriage terminated in 1981, but I did not have to sign anything for that to happen.

I owned nothing of value at that time, so division of property was not an issue. I left her with everything I owned in the 70's - I was too distraught to care.

That's when I took off to California, (1979) and enjoyed all 14 months of it!

Still back in Canada, returned 1980 -

just bought a place in the bush in Ontario a few months back.

Plan to die here - but not too soon!

I'd like to get married again, but will definitely have a prenup!

Legal shit over divorces can ruin your life.

Anyone divorced knows this methinks . . .

CC

[Tuesday Afternoon]

7. My lawyer handled everything for me. Mailed me the papers. I signed. Had them notarized and

mailed them back. Did not have to appear in court. My case involved three different states. I filed before I moved.

Good luck to your friend.