Divorce

[Upsetmummy123]

Hi. Me and husband married in 1999. We had a Islamic wedding ceremony only. Now we are separated, heading for divorce . I'm worried that I wouldnt have any right to his business and houses. They are not in joint names. I have been told that my marriage is not realised. Any advice would help ?

Sorry I mean recognised in uk.

If it is a marriage recognised by the authorities in the country where you married, it is likely to be recognised here. Do you have a certificate issued by the relevant civil authorities? Which country is it?

I was married in this country. I have a wedding certificate, which was issue by the local mosque. I don't think the marriage was registed to any civil authority. But I have been able to use the certificate to change my name on my passport and other documents.

Your marriage is not recognised in law, I'm afraid. You needed to have a civil ceremony following the religious one.

Collaborate - a barrister friend told me about a well-known case in which a couple found out upon trying to divorce that their marriage was not actually valid due to an administrative mistake somewhere (I think it was a marriage abroad). Apparently in this case the relationship, and therefore divorce, was treated legally as a marriage because the couple believed themselves to be married. Could that apply in this case? I'm assuming not.

I agree with Collaborate and Babybarrister.
You are not married and so unfortunately are in quite a weak position as you have no claim for maintenance for yourself or a share if your ex partner's pension
You may be able to establish an interest in the house if you can show that you made significant contributions towards it, or that he agreed that you had an interest.
You may also have grounds for a schedule 1 order which means that you and your DC are able to live there until they've grown up.
I'm surprised that the imam didn't tell you that an Islamic ceremony is not a legal marriage and that you also needed to get married legally.