GETTING
DIVORCED:
Easy and quick some say? If you marry in Thailand its easy but if you want a divorce in
Thailand both parties must agree to the divorce & can and is a drawn out process if one person eg. the foreigner is no longer in Thailand. We need to work with Thai immigration on this and it can get involved so not easy..
It can be as simple as going to the registrar's office where your marriage is
registered and filing the divorce. You just go with your wife to any Amphur,
show them your wedding papers, your passport, her ID card, and tell them that
you want to divorce. They will ask you some questions, like have you children
together and what have you decided for their future?... are there financial
problems pending?
They will fill a form. You both sign it then wait a few
minutes, the time needed to fill the divorce certificate... the wedding
certificate was in "portrait form '' the divorce certificate is
"landscape form".
You will have to pay 50 baht & your wife must change her name to yours
BEFORE the divorce can be granted...and she can reverse to her old family name,
the minute after the divorce is granted.
If you are married and your spouse does not agree
to a divorce in Thailand then you will need to obtain a judgement from the
Court. You need a lawyer for these steps BUT YOU MUST APPEAR YOURSELF IN PERSON. You cannot remarry until
this has been allulled. Judegement for divorce is granted only if the
application is based on any of the 12 grounds for divorce & becomes
effective at date of final judgement & must be registered at a District
Office or a Thai Embassy.
If in the US each state has their own set of
rules. Most states require a 6-month cooling off period (separation) before the
divorce becomes final. On the other hand, Nevada only requires six weeks of
living in Nevada (for non residents).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. IF NOT SURE JUST WRITE TO US
Qu: What if my Thai wife won't agree? Then
you need to file to the court for an annulment on grounds. Use a lawyer to do
this AND you must appear in person yourself AND WE NEED ALL THE MARRIAGE PARTICULARS AS WELL AS ID. As at 2019 it can be very complicated for a foreigner & Thai to divorce and can take up to 1 year?
Qu: If I am a foreigner & live in Britain
& my wife will not divorce me what do I do? You
must file to the Thai Court in Thailand & be present (can take 2 months to one year depending on what is required & if your wife will allow ).
Normally a Thai Lawyer will file for you and act as your power of attorney but
YOU must attend the Court. A lawyer cannot represent you in Court..
Qu: Can I get my Thai wife's parents to sign on
her behalf? No
Qu: Can the Thai Embassy assist me as a foreigner? No
Qu: Can I prepare myself? No
you must use a lawyer to file. However if by mutual consent you can do yourself.
Qu: If both parties agree is it straight forward? Yes you can then apply direct to the local Amphur
yourself.
Qu: How long must I be separated before I apply? 3
years separation
Qu: Must I travel to Thailand to divorce if my
wife won't sign? Yes---there's no other way.
Qu: What if my wife lives you in the USA or some other country? tough
----you must pay the support she will receive from the Social Welfare or
whatever benefits she may receive for the rest of your life unless she goes back
to Thailand..
Qu: If I marry a Hmong or ethnic tribal girl or
Shan is
this marriage recognized under Thai law? No
Qu: What if the foreigner has left Thailand? Then must work with Immigration to find this person.If the affected marriage partner has a copy of his her passport then we can search quicker?
SECTIONS
OF THE ACT:
Section 1514 Divorce
by mutual consent must be made in writing and certified by the signatures of at least 2 witnesses.
Section 1515
Where marriage has been registered as provided by this code, divorce by mutual
consent is valid only if the registration thereof is effected by both the
husband and wife.
Section 1516:
GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE:
1/. Husband has given maintenance to or
honoured such other woman as his wife, or the wife has committed adultery, the
other may claim for divorce.
2/. One spouse is guilty of misconduct,
criminal or otherwise.
3/. One spouse has harmed the other via
torture or mental circumstances.
4/. One spouse has deserted the other for over
1 year.
Either party lives
apart for 3 years.
5/. One or the other partner has disappeared
for 3 years.
6/. Lack of marital support.
7/. One spouse insane for more than 3 years
& its incurable.
8/. One partner has broken the bond of good
behaviour.
9/. Incurable disease that may affect the
other.
10/. Physical disadvantage permanently unable
to cohabit as husband & wife.
If in doubt ask us. We are only an
email away!!
THAI
DIVORCE LAW:
When a couple divorce in Thailand all marital
property (sin somros) is divided equally. Personal property (sin suan
tua) remains owned by the individual. Thus marital property is
anything acquired during marriage by way of gift, bought, or
inherited. Personal property is anything acquired before the marriage like a
house, tools, equipment & possessions. If both parties agree then the
proceedings are straight forward.
Both parties are responsible for debts incurred
from household affairs, education and medical bills. One can have a prenuptial
agreement which is law & where property is subject to foreign laws. To be
valid the prenuptial must be tendered at the marriage registration to be
effective & signed by both parties & 2 witnesses. Most of these
prenuptial agreements are between foreigners and Thais.
If one partner is employed, property is
split equally. If the wife stays home and looks after the children she has the
right to half even though she is not receiving payment. The parents divorcing
can agree on who pays for the children's education and day to day living
expenses and maintenance. if they cannot agree the Court will rule. the Court
may also decide on living allowances based on the ability of the grantor &
the status of the receiver.
THAI
DIVORCE LAW:
MARRIAGE TO A FOREIGNER & THAI WANTS TO MARRY AGAIN:
1/. Must submit where marriage took place & province in Thailand'
2/. Must have marriage certificate but if not we can find as long as we have ID & info from the applicant.
3/. The Thai person is in Thailand?
4/. New rules means Courts & Ministry of Foreign Affairs must be contacted
5/. Address and details of the other party in the marriage must be submitted.
6/. Time to take can be anywhere up to 1 year.
COSTS: up to 250,000baht depending on the divorce proceedings and work load.