I fled an abusive marriage 4 years ago with my baby.
Husband was deported back to his country of origin (as he was found guilty of threats to kill and threats to abduct our baby).
He's from an Arab country. We married in his country under Islamic law (the marriage was also legally binding in his country).
I've lived in hiding ever since leaving the marriage. I have remained in the UK (my country) with our child.
2 years after leaving the marriage, I bought a house for my child and I. The house is our home address in the UK. It's solely in my name (husband doesn't even know about it).
He's unlikely to ever be allowed back into the UK (because of his criminal record), so I feel reasonably safe these days. Child is also doing well.
Looking to the future, I'm thinking of starting the UK divorce process but my question is, would my ex be able to come out of the woodwork and try to claim "half my house" if it comes to his attention in any UK divorce proceeding that I've actually bought a house and still have some other assets (also in my sole name, nothing do to with him). I always kept all my finances private from him whilst married.
Would have have any "right" to make a claim against it?
We were married in his country (under Islamic law), where all property owned by the woman solely in her own name stays with her in the event of divorce, no matter what.
I am unable to divorce in his country as it's halfway across the world, I don't speak the language and don't understand the legal process. I also have no idea of his address within that country. Due to threats made by him and his family to abduct our child, me going there is out of the question. I simply wouldn't risk it.
Any solicitors here know about this, or anybody been through similar?